We provide activities such as kickball, white-water rafting, and many other activities as a means for students to discover God, encouraging them to step outside their everyday experiences. Many of the individuals we work with are at risk of falling into a life of drugs, incarceration, and brokenness. Instead, we empower them by teaching valuable ministry skills that they can utilize in their lives.
Marc Saenz's Story
Growing up, it was just me and my mom. I didn't have a father figure, and I was going in the wrong direction. I would skip class and find ways to get into trouble most days. I was hanging out with the wrong crowd and doing many things I shouldn't have been.
Things changed for me when I met Jerry with Urban Youth Ministries. He was the first person besides my mom who showed any interest in my life. He started spending time with me and we created a real bond. I loved the fact that he didn't have to be with me, he wanted to. He actually cared.
Over the next few years, he became a father figure to me. One day on a van ride home I felt my life was over. I shared this with Jerry and after I told him how I felt he shared the gospel with me and I received Christ as my Lord and Savior, at that moment my life changed. I started going to class and stopped hanging out with kids who were just trying to get me into trouble. I started to get involved in UYM and became a disciple of Christ. Meeting Jesus was a life-changer.
I don't know what would have happened to me without the support of Jerry and Urban Youth Ministries. Even though it's been 14 years, Jerry and UYM are still a part of my life and I'm overjoyed that I can be involved myself. These days, I get to do for other kids what Jerry did for me, serving as a mentor and father figure for young people who don't have that. I know that we touch and change lives because I see it every day.
September 15th, 2016
**One Mission, Thousands of Victories**
At Urban Youth Ministries, our mission is to develop leaders among urban youth. We aim to bring young people to Christ, nurture their faith, and equip them to become spiritual leaders in their families, schools, communities, and the world.
For over 25 years, Urban Youth Ministries has been growing in size, reputation, and ability to reach the students who need us most. We were founded in the early '90s when a few committed believers saw a need for an organization with a holistic approach that could reach kids for Christ and walk with them through life. We do this by partnering with other similarly aligned organizations and ministries and offer a ray of hope to "at-risk" students in the Denver Metro area.
Today, we carry out our vision of growing a new generation of leaders who will expand the kingdom of God by touching one life at a time. Using camps, retreats, outreach events, and volunteer training, we spread the gospel to many who could easily fall through the cracks and show them what can happen when they find the spark of faith.
Organization name
Urban Youth Ministries
other names
UYM
1999
Tax id (EIN)
84-1289488
Category
Religion-Related
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Child Care Credit
Address
400 W. 48th Avenue #250Mailing
P.O. Box 460429Arapahoe County, CO, US
Denver County, CO, US