YES!Atlanta creates Project Lift

After more than of twenty years working mainly with “at-risk” youth living on the south side of Atlanta, YES!Atlanta is forging north, according to Executive Director Shelby Jackson Rogers. The new program, called Project Lift, is based at the Bridge to Grace Church in Roswell.

The Rev. David Bonselaar, pastor of the church, heard about Yes!Atlanta about the same time his congregation was trying to develop a relationship with nearby Holcomb Bridge Middle and Centennial High schools.

“I realized that God was calling us to minister to these schools,” he said.

A member at the church had received help through YES!Atlanta, and early this year introduced Bonselaar to Rogers.

“I think the stereotype is that Roswell is an affluent community and students don’t struggle with drugs, crimes and dropping out of school,” Bonselaar said. “That is not the case.”

Project Lift, for middle and high school students, initially provides mentoring in life and academic skills. Bonselaar said he hopes the program eventually will include a youth team-building component like YES!Atlanta.

“The need is there,” he said. “We just need the financial support to get things moving.”

If you are interested in supporting this new and badly needed initiative, call Shelby Jackson at YES!Atlanta (678-596-5438), or Rev. Bonselaar at the Bridge to Grace Church (770-587-2460)

GRANT FROM ATLANTA THRASHERS

YES!Atlanta Executive Director Shelby Jackson-Rogers (third from left) at center ice in Philips Arena with representatives of the Children's Restoration Network, Agape Community Center, Choices, Cure Childhood Cancer, and Ronald McDonald House, as they share a $50,000 grant from the Atlanta Thrashers Hockey Team.

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