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Group Pushes Clean Living, Safe Teen Activities

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 29, 2007

Over the past three years, Brandon Young Life has rallied hundreds of local high school kids around its nondenominational Christian ministry.

Once a week, dozens of students from six local high schools meet with the nonprofit group's peer leaders and adult mentors at the Campo YMCA in Valrico or at students' homes. They hang out, have fun and shoot the breeze. They listen to top-40 music, eat pizza and raise the roof with goofy games and animated karaoke jams.

There is, however, a serious side to Brandon Young Life.

In addition to providing fun, safe social activities for teens, the ministry encourages kids to embrace Christian faith and values while navigating the sometimes treacherous waters of their young lives.
"These are kids who want to live their lives in a way that's better than what pop culture is telling them to," said Melissa Rios, group coordinator.

"They're looking for a way to 'do life' that doesn't involve things high school kids are commonly exposed to like drugs and alcohol."

Students in the group recruit new members from their own social circles and classes at school. In addition, adult mentors visit local high schools and middle schools to talk with students and establish mentoring relationships.

Some students volunteer to be leaders. They work in cooperation with adult mentors to help others hash out and resolve their teen life issues.

"They talk about what's going on in their lives and what they're struggling with," Rios said.

"Just last week, I spoke with some girls that had been to a prom. They were exposed to a lot of dangerous things going on at parties. They wanted to talk about how they could make good choices instead of bad ones. It was a pretty typical scenario."

Another issue commonly addressed in group discussions is shoplifting.

"So many kids in the Brandon area have been arrested for shoplifting. You would be surprised by the numbers," Rios said.

"Through one-on-one mentoring relationships with our adult volunteers, students learn they can have the things they want by working hard."

Rios said the organization's door is always open to kids who have been in trouble, but most in the group are typical teenagers. Many are leaders in their school and active in student government, athletics and music.

The program not only benefits the students it serves, but the entire community, Rios said. More than 100 kids come through the program each year.

"When our young people are given the encouragement and the tools to make better choices and stay out of trouble, the entire community benefits."

And now, the community is reaching back to Brandon Young Life.

Until recently, the organization did not have its own office. In February, the Noriega family, owners of Bill's Prescription Center on S.R. 60, donated office space to the group. Rios was busy last week moving into her new headquarters in the drugstore plaza.

"It will be an ideal location to have our office and to meet with students in small groups," she said.
"The Noriega family and our sponsors have been very generous in showing their support. When a community invests in its children, everyone wins," Rios said.

The group receives funding from the Greater Brandon Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Sun City Center. They hope to supplement those grants with money raised at a charity golf tournament next weekend.

The Brandon Young Life Golf Tournament will be held April 3 at River Hills Country Club, 3943 New River Hills Parkway in Valrico. Registration for the four-to-a-team, best ball scramble opens at 11 a.m., with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Lunch will be provided by Subway, and an awards dinner provided by Outback Steakhouse is set for 5:30 p.m. Entry fees are $125 per player.

Tax-deductible hole and tournament sponsorships are still available, and the tournament is open to the public. Information: 335-3522 or www.brandonyounglife.org.

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