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WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE
Don
Smarto, Youth Direct President received a call from the White House
inviting him to be a speaker at a White House Conference on Prisoner
Reentry. Don was chosen as a "front line expert" and a
person who has assembled a model juvenile program in America. Don
said "I am humbled by this honor and privileged to have an
opportunity to address faith-based solutions." The 1500 hundred
attendees on November 27th include social scientists, policy-makers,
legislators, corrections, and parole professionals from across the
country. Don is a nationally recognized authority on delinquency
and aftercare models. His books are used by hundreds of prison ministries
and at several colleges and universities.
Doctor Sessums
Youth
Direct board member Tommy Sessums was awarded his earned Doctor
of Philosophy in Clinical Christian Counseling from Cornerstone
University in November 2007. Tommy has been active in prison ministry
for many years and is a Youth Direct board member. Dr. Sessums has
multiple certifications in areas including Substance Abuse, Family
Therapy, and Adolescent Therapy. He also is a member of several
professional associations. We are proud to be associated with such
an educated and professional individual. But most important, Tommy
has compassion and a heart for prisoners!
LEARN ABOUT CULTS
Sign up now for the well received training on CULTS.
Learn what to look for. Many inmates and youth are deceived. Cults
are not just extremes like David Koresch, but include Kabala, Scientology,
The Mormons, and the Freemasons. You will not want to miss this
important training opportunity!
9 am, JULY 21st, SATURDAY (Youth Direct Headquarters)
Call 972 572-8336 to register or send an email to
don@youthdirect.org
MARZELLE
HILL SUCCESS!
52 volunteers shared
their faith with the 54 boys in this Dallas facility on April 28th. Many boys
accepted Christ for the first time. Others, made a rededication to Jesus as Lord.
A drummer, an artist, and an illusionist captured their attention and set the
stage for one on one faith sharing. Some of the
great volunteers at Mart in February
Pennsylvania
Speaking Tour 2007 Don
will be speaking and preaching over twenty times from March 9th - March 20th in
Eastern Pennsylvania through the good graces of Wayne Benjamin and Yokefellows
Prison Ministry.
This is Don's 6th consecutive year of evangelism in Pennsylvania
and promises to be his best yet. Speaking opportunities include County, State,
and Federal jails and prisons, juvenile facilities, drug programs, aftercare facilities,
alternative schools, churches, and youth rallies. In addition to preaching,
Don will conduct several Mentoring Workshops, Parenting Seminars, Writing Seminars,
and Overcomer Sessions. Cities he will visit include Allentown, Bethlehem,
Lord's Valley, Reading, Frackville, Easton, Mowry, Lavelle, Pottstown, Wescosville,
Macungie, Rehresburg, and Harleysville. In addition, Don will meet with correctional
officials in Philadelphia, and New York City. Don will travel over 1680
miles, and speaking over 40 times in 11 days. WHY YOUTH
LOSE THEIR FAITH This new 70 minute CD is from the radio
program Parenting Todays Youth. For only $5 plus shipping and handling ($2)
we will rush a copy to you. Don explores: - Why Youth
Lose Their Faith
- Common Mistakes of Youth Pastors
-
Relationships vs. Star Power
Keeping
Our Word
In 2006, Youth Direct has been in a Texas
facility every month. The number of volunteers continues to grow. Nearly 900 have
been trained since the ministry began in 2001. Although the budget is tight, we
look to God and good friends to support this faith-based work. The ministry takes
no government money so it is free to preach the gospel. No events have been cancelled
because of those who help and support us. Please consider a tax deductible gift
to Youth Direct so we can reach more troubled youth. BILLY
GRAHAM CENTER APPOINTMENT Don Smarto has accepted an appointment
to the Advisory Board of the Institute for Prison Ministries at the Billy Graham
Center in Wheaton, Illinois. "I am honored to be working with Dr. Karen Swanson
(the IPM Director)" Don said. "This is an important program and Dr.
Swanson is a true professional". Don was the founding director and served
from 1984 - 1997. ALLEN DEE A
new and brilliant performer, magician Allen Dee has been in 5 juvenile facilities
with Youth Direct in 2006. "Allen does more than magic" says Don Smarto,
"he is a skilled communicator and very effectively combines the art of illusion
with gospel commentary. He is one of the best I have seen". Allen is also
a businessman in Plano and overcame a difficult relationship with his father when
he was a youth. His strong personal faith is evident to all who know him. Youth
Direct is pleased to be associated with Allen. NEW RESOURCESYouth
Direct has just released two new CDs | New
Spanish Comic | | Our
much praised full color comic, "Where are you headed?" is now available
in Spanish.
Contact us to order | | |
AFTERCARE
is a 70 minute companion to Don's popular book Keeping Ex-Offenders Free. SEVEN
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE PARENTING Is a 70 minute CD that
give practical advice about raising difficult children. Each
CD is $10 and benefits the work of Youth Direct
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