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S.A.Y. Yes! Long Term

A big family crowded into a small house ... a new culture with a difficult language — Beatriz had a lot to cope with when she arrived in Denver as a young child. As her parents struggled to make ends meet, she and her siblings struggled to adjust to their new life.

Happily, not far from their home was a vibrant church. In that winter of 1998, the church was just opening a S.A.Y. Yes! Center, and Beatriz's older sisters were part of the inaugural group. As soon as she was old enough, Beatriz eagerly joined them.

S.A.Y. Yes! is the biblically-based after-school program that Here's Life has developed for inner-city churches.

Beatriz has thrived in this supportive environment. Shy at first, she has become more self-assured. She'd had little spiritual background, but through S.A.Y. Yes! and the church, Beatriz is learning what it means to follow Jesus.

She is being mentored by Jean Johnston, a Here's Life staff, and she displays great joy in her faith. She's getting more and more consistent in studying the Bible on her own.

Now in the 8th grade, Beatriz continues to develop leadership qualities. She's part of Youth Scribble Ink, a small silk screening business set up and run by S.A.Y. Yes! youth.

Being tutored at S.A.Y. Yes! has helped Beatriz succeed in her schoolwork. Also through S.A.Y. Yes! she received an eye exam and badly needed glasses provided by LensCrafters.

Several thousand children and youth are involved in S.A.Y. Yes! across the country, children like Beatriz who have the opportunity to learn and grow in these centers of stability, refuge and hope.

Serving and mobilizing the church to live out God's heart for the poor...