PAX:

As you all know, for the past few years F3 has been working with the Children’s Attention Home (CAH), AO “Guidance” in Rock Hill. For those not familiar with CAH, it is a place of healing, nurturing, love, and care for abused, neglected, and abandoned children of all ages. Originally named “Justice League”, this year the youth renamed it “Guidance”. The name fits perfectly. The PAX of F3 has had a growing presence there, with the mission being the same as F3 Nation:

The mission of F3 is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for the invigoration of male community leadership.

It runs deeper than those words. Every other week older PAX meet up with the younger PAX residents (ages 11-18) there and workout, reinforce the 5 core principles, discuss what the three F’s mean and how they apply in everyday life, and also discuss the theme of the month. Plus, another impactful thing we do for them is spend time with the youth and let them know we care, they matter, and they are leaders waiting to blossom. More importantly, we reinforce that they are a vital part of something larger than themselves, they are all His Children, and He will always be there for them. For anyone in F3 for some time, we all know the immensely positive impact all of this can have on one’s life.

Myself, Chicken Hawk, and Reborn are in regular communications with the staff at CAH, and if anyone needs any proof of the positive impact F3’s presence is having on the youth there, here is some input offered by the Volunteer Programs Coordinator there as to what she has noticed this year:

• She has seen Tristen (F3 Travolta) go from being a bully to a mentor to the younger children
• She has seen Daniel (F3 Curry) work through differences with other children that he would previously fight with
• She has seen Samaj (F3 Chihuahua) genuinely excited when he knows F3 is coming to the home
• Plus. she has noticed that the boys bunk house has become the ‘choice assignment’ for the staff because of the transformation of the boys. Not long ago staff did not want to be assigned to it for their various duties. Now they ask for it because the boys have ‘settled down’, fight less, and are much more respectful towards them
• In her words – This group of men are providing a model, giving hope and helping to influence a new outcome that likely wasn’t in these boys future

Glory be to God!! It is much more than exercises, funny names, unique lingo, and sweat that is making this happen. We are providing them a sense of community and belonging, discipline, mentorship, guidance, intentionality, love, care……all in a little of one’s own time. Combine that with His word, His mercy, His grace, and His love, it is clearly evident the positive impact we are making down there. It has been a blessing to have these youth in our lives, and watching them transform week to week.

None of this could have happened without the support of the F3 PAX who have taken their time to be there at CAH and make this difference happen. That impact has been made stronger by the PAX who have supported in whatever way they can – burpee challenge fund drive, snack drives, drink drives, Catawba river float, whatever. It takes effort to make a difference, and the greater the forces the greater the impact.

Keep up the great work, but by no means are we done. We will continue to need PAX support to continue to make this happen…..to plant, grow, and serve in order to invigorate.

Thank you for your efforts, and for being the HIMs you all are. God bless.
– NASA, Chicken Hawk, and Reborn