LMYSC YOUTH PARTNER WITH FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS FOR FUND RAISER
Golden, CO
For Immediate Release
Eleven youth from Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center (LMYSC) Eagles Program and Lookout Academy Culinary Arts Program partnered with Straight Ahead Colorado and Doing HIS Time Ministries on September 25, 2007 for its annual fundraising dinner for Prison-based ministries in Colorado. Five youth representing LMYSC Eagles program, the honors program at LMYSC, served as greeters for the fundraising event. The “Eagles” seated guests, answered questions and even served some elderly guests at the dinner. “We always love to have the Eagles help out, it is always the highlight of the night for us” stated Connie Waller, Co-Founder of Straight Ahead Colorado. She adds, “These kids are why we do what we do. It is great to see these success stories.”
Chef Michael Campe and 6 students from Lookout Academy Culinary Arts Program catered the dinner for 350 guests at Bear Valley Church. The Culinary Arts students reported, “We cooked for 2 whole days!” The meal included meat lasagna, roasted red pepper chicken with artichokes and olives, spinach penne pasta, green beans almandine, salad and a dessert bar. The youth reported that they were amazing how much work it took to keep the two buffets full of food. “This gave our students a real feel for what it is like to work in the food industry,” stated Chef Campe, instructor for the Lookout Academy Culinary Arts Program. The youth were very honored by the recognition they received from the guests for a job well done. Many guests made comments such as “this is best food we have had at this dinner since it began!” Currently there are three LMYSC Culinary Arts graduates pursuing degrees at Johnson and Wales University based on the start they were given at LMYSC.
Straight Ahead Colorado has worked with LMYSC for 10 years to provide spiritual activities, mentoring, camps and Bible studies. This event serves as a significant fundraiser for Straight Ahead and other prison-based ministries in Colorado each year. Straight Ahead has been instrumental in the successful transition of several youth leaving LMYSC. For information regarding Straight Ahead Colorado, please contact Howard and Connie Waller at 720.283.0808 or at www.straightaheadcolorado.org.
LMYSC serves as the maximum-security treatment facility for the Division of Youth Corrections in Colorado. It houses 214 adjudicated males ages 15-20. For more information regarding LMYSC, please contact Anders Jacobsen, LMYSC Director at 303-273-2607.