UC student making a difference at LGM
Henri is an incredible blessing.
For the last 18 months, he has worked closely with Lord’s Gym Ministries staff and volunteers, and been intimately involved with many of the families we serve. He has been on staff as part of a co-op program through the University of Cincinnati.
“Henri is a natural with the kids,” says Valerie, a mother of two of Henri’s young friends. “I love that my boys have a man like Henri walking with them. They are 17 and 15 just starting their journey with God. They watch Henri; how he responds and engages with others he is showing them so much without ever speaking a word to them. Henri is a change-maker for our kiddos in the community. He impacts their life with his love for God that just shines through when he engages with them.”
Henri has exhibited maturity beyond his years and remarkable servant-leadership.
Finding adults who are reliable, committed, and wired to work with children who, on average, have higher numbers of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), is very challenging, says Chris, Youth Athletics Chaplain.
Henri has developed a beautiful bond with so many kids in our programs and has earned their trust and established himself as a positive male role model by remaining consistent and believing in them.
According to Zach, 15, a youth in our activities, Henri has influenced him to “be better and try harder.”
Henri has harnessed his passions of faith, fitness, and sports to create new programs within the Lord’s Gym, such as strength and agility training. He has also been instrumental in the implementation of a third-party Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) survey that assesses our youth’s response to our programming.
The SEL results, so far, show that 93 percent of Lord’s Gym youth assessed in 2023 are advancing in one or more of the four core SEL areas (Self-Control, Desire to Learn, Improved Academic Success, and Social Skills). Ninety percent of all young people said “YES” they would recommend FOCAS/Lord’s Gym programming to a friend. This success is due to people like Henri, showing up and connecting with our kids – fueling their resilience against the many barriers they face.
LGM Board member Johnny says: “Henri lifts my spirits and encourages me to spend more time with our friends. He is a kind, humble, and God-fearing young man with a heart for our impoverished friends. His ability to connect and demonstrate empathy is a strength.”
Henri has made an indelible impression on our staff and on the families we serve.