VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION

Andrew Green:
Shepherd is effective because of relationships. It’s easy to look at a lot of different programs and to think programs make the difference, but we know from 35 years of experience, that relationships make a difference. Relationships is where the impact happens and what is effective.

Jay Height:
Shepherd works with both the first and second generation to break the cycle of poverty. It’s a two-gen approach to say, “We want to help the parents and the students in a long-term commitment through a continuum of care, to help them have the tools for them to break the cycle of poverty.”

Andrew Green:
When you think about breaking the cycle in the second generation, there’s a quote, “that it’s easier to raise a child than it is to repair an adult.”

Jay Height:
Rutgers University recently did a study that said the greatest way that you can help children deal with the economic discrepancy that exists today in America is to help them [inaudible 00:01:12] school while the early childhood is essential.

Andrew Green:
The academic and the educational experience is a challenge, and there’s about a 30% graduation rate in our neighborhood. And so when you think about that, what a huge step to graduate high school. What an even bigger step to go on to college.

Jay Height:
It’s not just one age group or it’s not just one program, but a collection of programs that we put together in a continuum that addresses the academic, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. Built on a foundation in Jesus Christ, we have this step ladder that allows folks to move themselves up out of poverty, into a life of upward stability.

Andrew Green:
Our school, on-site, we have kindergarten through fifth grade. And we do after-school and summer programs here. Our main food distributions happen out of this location, all these different opportunities to connect with kids and families. And so our programs are designed that way.

Jay Height:
The core issue is loneliness and lack of hope. And so we talk in terms of “paraclete,” the Greek word for the holy spirit, but it also means, “the one who comes alongside to help carry the load.” And we want every one of our neighbors to have a [inaudible 00:02:33] Shepherd.

Andrew Green:
I love the mission of Shepherd, that we get to walk alongside kids and families to help them break the cycle of poverty on the near east side of Indianapolis.

Jay Height:
Programs are excuses for us to make relationships. In this this world, we don’t need more programs. We need to know that more people care for us.