Tiger Dawson graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 1979.  Twenty years later he’s back, working for the organization that influenced his teen-age years.

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"I had a desire to make sure that every kid has an opportunity like I did," he said.

 

Dawson is referring to Young Life. For more than 30 years, Young Life has been a part of the Lake Highlands community. Young Life introduces junior high and high school children to Christianity and helps them grow in faith by providing a positive atmosphere where they have fun.

 

Dawson, now regional director, is not the only Lake Highlands graduate to return to Young Life.  More than one-third of the 30 leader volunteers are from Lake Highlands and were in Young Life during high school.  Of the four staff members, three are Lake Highlands’ graduates and former members of Young Life.

 

"They come back because Young Life impacted them when there in high school," said Kyle Kaigler, area director for Young Life.  "They have decided they want to serve and impact another life."

 

Lake Highlands’ senior Matt Rooker has already made that decision.  "After college I would love to come back and be a leader," he said.  "I’m actually acting as a leader for the junior high now."

 

Rooker has been in Young Life since ninth grade.  He first attended because his friends were going, and it was fun.  But over the past four years, he and Young Life staff members and leaders have developed a mentoring relationship, supporting each other. 

 

"They’re really neat people," he said.  "They have helped me to grow spiritually and keep my walk in the Lord strong.  They have been there when I needed them."

 

Young Life is organized by staff members, leaders and a committee, all from Lake Highlands.  Leaders, who are volunteers from the community, work from 10 to 15 hours a week with teenagers.  They lead weekly meetings and Bible studies, join Young Lifers for school lunches, and organize high-adventure activities like camping in Colorado and Wyoming. 

 

"Young Life teaches kids about faith in everyday life," said Kyle Kaigler, area director.  "It’s not about being in a club.  Everyone is welcome here."

 

Five teams of leaders provide outreach to more than 300 actively participating teenagers.  What makes Lake Highlands’ Young Life distinct from others across the nation is that one of those teams is specifically for minority ministry.

 

"We’re one of the few clubs in the nation that is integrated," Dawson said.  "Lake Highlands’ Young Life is a place where I can see a huge difference in the community. We’re reaching a diversified population across the city."

 

Lake Highlands’ Young Life reaches out to all communities in the area.  Leaders and staff members work to build personal relationships with teenagers as well as to include the community with Young Life activities.

 

Young Life ensures community involvement by organizing volunteers.  "Friends of Young Life" is a group of 60 couples from Lake Highlands who volunteer their time to prepare meals, provide transportation and offer their homes as meeting places.  Another 10 Lake Highlands’ couples serve as a community committee overseeing the organization’s decisions and goals.

 

John and Myra Boyton have served on the committee for almost eight years.  They help to oversee the ministry rather than directly working with the teenagers.

 

"John and I enjoy working with Young Life," Myra said.  "Young Life reaches kids’ souls and meets their inner needs.  Lots of teenagers are looking for meaning in their lives. We feel privileged to support the volunteers and staff.  It’s a positive for the whole community."  

 

Since 1963, Young Life has earned the reputation of being a positive influence in Lake Highlands.  It is an organization that has grown and prospered because of the support of its members and its community.  Young Life has grown from serving only Lake Highlands High School to a youth ministry that now includes Forest Meadow Junior High School, Lake Highlands Junior High School and Lake Highlands Freshman Center.  The influence of Young Life reaches not only the teenagers who participate, but it reaches the community … those who volunteer, those who see the changes in the children, and those Young Lifers who have returned to impact other young lives.

 

"Young Life is successful because of gifted leaders, parent involvement, and the community," Kaigler said.  "Lake Highlands Young Life is what it is because of community support."