Will you go with me?

Today’s post comes to us from Amy DeJonge, our Regional YoungLives director. For more on Amy refer to her bio at the bottom of the page and as you’re reading know that she is as great in person as she seems in the article.

I’ve been asked a lot of questions by teen moms over the years.

I’d like to think that after ten years I’ve heard them all…but I know that isn’t true.

In the midst of them all, one sticks out. It came from a 16-year-old mother of two. I’d just started YoungLives in GR, and she had recently moved to the area. She was completely overwhelmed by her surroundings. Not knowing where to get help, she showed up at club one night. When I shared with the group what our mentors did, and how they could have a mentor if they wanted, her eyes never left my face. Slowly, she made her way to one of the mentors.

This woman had spent the better part of the semester talking with her, playing with her kids, but without too much response from this young mom. Tonight, however, this teen mom walked with purpose and simply asked, “I need help. Will you go with me?”

Will you go with me?

That question, in it’s complete simplicity, stuck with me. It continues to define what I do & how I train mentors. We are working with girls who are in the middle of darkness; whether it’s dealing with poverty, abuse, or just the isolation of being a single mom, the girls simply want someone to show up. To go with them.

Since the time that question was asked, I’ve been blessed to see YoungLives grow in the Western Great Lakes Region. Holland has a thriving club, and East Kentwood and Kelloggsville are growing! Kalamazoo is laying the ground work, and other areas express interest.

This past semester, we’ve served over 100 teen moms through meals, mentors, and club in our region. It is amazing to see volunteers surround our communities to love on teen moms and their babies.

The need is here and the need is great. I am humbled that our girls allow us to do life with them; to care for them and their children, to shine light into dark places, and to go with them. 

For more information on how you can serve single moms through YoungLives in your community, email greatergryounglives (at) gmail (dot) com.

Amy de Jonge is the Western Great Lakes Regional YoungLives Coordinator, which is a really fancy way of saying that she seeks to serve as a resource for areas with new or existing YoungLives clubs. She started in YL as a freshman in high school… and never really left. Thankful daily for God’s grace, she loves sharing that hope with teen moms (though working with deliciously cute babies doesn’t hurt.) On staff part time for the region, she’s home with her 3 kids & husband the rest of the time. She’d love to share her hobbies with you all, but keeping 3 small kids alive and somewhat clean takes up most of her time. (Though when she’s able to, she loves to read, run, and even contribute to a parenting blog.)