GIVING HOPE continued GIVING HOPE continued
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remains, “Giving hope and a future to the next
generation. Jeremiah 29:11, For surely I know
the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans
for your welfare and not for harm, to give you
a future with hope.” The mission declares,
“Youth Central is a faith based outreach that
enables school aged youth in Moore County
NC, especially those most in need, to become
competent and confident learners with hope for
futures as capable, contributing members of our
global community.”
Soon Youth Central outgrew their space, and
Beth decided to step out in faith and coordinate
a meeting with First Presbyterian Church in Vass.
After Beth shared the vision of helping the Latino
children, they immediately said, “We’re an older
congregation, and this building has been sitting
empty for seven years. We would love for you
to use it!” Beth acknowledges, “God let us use
this little school free of charge; the church has
been our miracle! The tapestry of people openhearted
toward these kids is changing lives! The
elementary children who started in the program
are now in high school; their entire view of their
future is completely changed. They have been
given hope!”
Forming lifelong relationships with the
children, many of the volunteers have served
since 2010. The volunteers serving on Mondays
and Wednesdays work with the elementary
students from Vass-Lakeview Elementary
School. Tuesday’s volunteers work with the
junior high students from Crains Creek Middle
School in Vass. Youth Central picks the students
up from school and delivers them safely home.
As time passed, Beth realized, “We need an
educational director.” When she mentioned the
need to her board of advisors, Gloriana Escobar,
an ESL teacher for Moore County who serves on
the board, mentioned, “I wonder if you would
consider me.” Gloriana is a Godsend who speaks
fluent Spanish! Because of her incredible love
for God and children, the quality of our program
has soared under her leadership!
Involved for several years, Gloriana shares, “I
just feel so blessed. Being able to support these
kids in a community who wants to help—is a
double blessing. For most teachers in general
education, you have the students for a year, and
then they move on to somebody else’s class.
Being able to maintain the relationships and
watch the children grow each year at Youth
Central is rewarding; you become so close to
these kids. Working with these volunteers, these
beautiful people who come every week to help
these kids is amazing! Being able to help the
families who are so appreciative, so grateful—
that we’re offering this help means so much.”
There are unique challenges for the children
of Youth Central. Since Spanish is spoken at
home, learning the English language is a struggle.
However in teaching reading comprehension,
vocabulary, and even multiplication facts, we
see the joy and self-esteem that comes with
learning—it’s life changing! These children
are becoming good students. After a full day
at school, they’ll come in for a snack and story
time and then put 100% energy into a full hour
of tutoring. They don’t want to miss a day! If
Monday is a holiday, they still want to come.”
The Latino students at Youth Central are
Americans, but they live in a different world even
though they are living here. Beth says, “Instead
of continuing to picture themselves as from
another country, I want them to embrace their
responsibilities and opportunities as Americans.
We want these kids to be the best they can be! To
know they have a God who loves them, and they
are never alone. They need to believe they are
brilliant and have a bright future.”
The greatest need of Youth Central remains
volunteers. The more volunteers, the more
specialized help a child can have. Volunteers
do not need to speak Spanish. In donating 2
to 3 hours a week, one can change a child’s
life forever; in return the volunteers gain a
friendship as the children minister. Beth shares,
“A new volunteer who lost her husband after 60
years of marriage has found a new purpose here.
As she was crossing the parking lot on her first
week, one of our second graders ran out and
wrapped her arms around her. She realized, ‘I’m
gonna be all right.’ We have a relational ministry
with wonderful children who want to learn; they
just need volunteers to take the time.”
On Mondays, volunteers and students work
through half of the week of homework; on
Wednesdays, they get through the other half
as they turn in lessons on Friday. Focusing on
multiplication facts, vocab lists, and reading
comprehension, the children are separated into
grades with two volunteers per table. Those
who need more attention see Gloriana who
works with their specific needs. Truly it takes
a village, a tapestry of people giving. One year
BB&T bought suits for our first four graduates
from Union Pines High School. This year, the
manager Karen Taylor went with Gloriana to buy
tablets and a printer!
As for Beth’s favorite part of the ministry?
“Always my favorite part of the ministry is
showing up at school to get the kids who run
to our vans! They are the ministry! They are my
favorite—every hug, every name, everything
that makes them sad, their families. I go to their
birthday parties, their quinceaneras, and their
families welcome me. I cannot speak Spanish,
but I love those kids!
Greatest lesson learned? “Be available! God
does not need the smartest people, the Ph.D.’s.
We merely give ourselves. Per a resume, I’m
not the person for this, but I saw something
from which I could not turn away. That’s my
lesson. I did not do anything special other than
show up. I said, 'God, if you don’t go with me,
if this is not your ministry 100%, then it will
not continue.' I have seen Him miraculously
move—like the two brand new vans given to us
by an anonymous donor who said, ‘God told us
that you needed transportation.’ If God calls you
to do something, then He will do it. If he tells
you to start a French ministry, and you do not
speak French, then by golly you should do it! It
is gonna be a great adventure. Youth Central has
changed my life forever; there is nothing that
God won’t do for these 50 children in Vass. What
else can He do through others?”
Miracles arrive daily as they walk by faith.
Since 2008, Peggy has faithfully brought snacks
on Mondays and Tuesdays. From the snacks,
to the electric bill, gas money—well, that’s all
given, too. Beth smiles, “We have one church
who supports us monthly; everything else is
by faith, and we always get what we need. God
wanted to teach me, 'If you trust Me, then I will
show up for you.'”
From early on, God was working when
childhood days brought Beth to Vass as her
Dad bought the farm he named J Bar Ranch.
Although Vass seemed like the end of the world,
it offered a chance to learn how to work on a
farm, along with an opportunity to play and
learn to ride horses. When it came time for
Beth and Dan to raise their four children, Beth
realized, “These are tough times to hold onto
your kids, and I know just where I want to hold
onto mine—Vass.” So they moved back to Vass
to keep their kids close, and until the kids went
away to college, they enjoyed dinner together
every night. With two grandchildren and one on
the way, the Dent family celebrates life.
Focused ministry and teamwork keep Youth
Central on track with each day given. Many
opportunities arise, but the youth are central,
and God promises, “I know the plans I have for
you—plans for your welfare and not for harm, to
give you a future with hope.” Giving hope and a
bright future, Beth serves the children with her
team at Youth Central.
GIVING HOPE con't from p. 30
Gloriana Escobar, Educational Director,
works with the children.
GIVING HOPE con't. next column
Inspirational quotations fill Youth Central.
Gloriana Escobar & Beth Dent at Youth Central.
“I know the plans I have for you—plans
for your welfare and not for harm,
p.32 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 129 to give you a future with hope.” God.