08/25/2026
# Who We Are & What We Do at NELA Youth
NELA Youth, Inc. is a **Christ-centered, faith-based nonprofit funded by private donors—not a government program.** Our mission is not to babysit children, simply provide fun activities, or take the place of a parent. We mentor young people by building consistent relationships, teaching them about Jesus, helping them understand who they are in Christ, and developing character, responsibility, and a willingness to grow.
Children participate based on **need and their willingness to try and better themselves.** We do not expect perfection, but we do expect effort. Our outings, meals, and special trips are not handouts. They are often **earned rewards** for demonstrating responsibility, accountability, positive choices, participation, and the **Fruit of the Spirit** found in Galatians 5:22–23.
NELA Youth is a **mentoring ministry, not a parenting replacement.** We come alongside parents and guardians to reinforce biblical values, accountability, and positive choices, but parents remain responsible for parenting their children. **Effective mentoring requires the support and cooperation of the parent or guardian.** Without that partnership, consistent mentoring cannot take place.
We also serve multiple children and families with different needs. **Being part of NELA Youth does not mean every child will receive every opportunity, outing, or resource.** Opportunities may be based on individual need, participation, effort, responsibility, and earned rewards. Fairness does not always mean everyone receives the exact same thing.
We believe that while **God's love and grace are freely given, growth requires participation and effort.** Life does not simply hand us everything we want. Learning to work toward something, make better choices, take responsibility, and keep trying after failure builds character and prepares young people for adulthood.
For that reason, **we do not beg children to participate.** We will encourage, teach, give grace, and provide opportunities to try again, but a young person must eventually choose to engage. If a child continually refuses to participate or make an effort, the mentoring relationship may come to an end. Part of mentoring is learning that **choices have consequences and opportunities require responsibility.**
NELA Youth is **not a daycare, entertainment program, parenting replacement, or handout. It is a mentoring ministry.** Sometimes mentoring looks like Bible study and prayer. Sometimes it means difficult conversations, accountability, encouragement through failure, or celebrating progress. And sometimes it looks like pizza, an aquarium, or a special trip—but **the fun is never the mission. The relationship, the growth, and Jesus are the mission.**
We want every young person we mentor to learn: **I am loved by God. I have purpose. My choices matter. I can take responsibility. I can grow. I can try again. And my circumstances do not have to determine my future.**
**We show up. We build relationships. We teach Jesus. We encourage responsibility. We reward growth. We develop character. And we continue walking with children and families who are willing to walk with us.**
