After reading Chapters 1 and 5 in Brewster’s Child, Church, and Mission, I can think of a few situations where children and young people I know would be considered at-risk.

One example is a young girl I know who is growing up in a single-parent household. Her mother works long hours to provide for the family, but this means the girl spends a lot of time unsupervised. She has started skipping school and hanging out with a group of older teens who are known for risky behaviors. The lack of adult supervision, combined with her social environment, puts her in a vulnerable position where she may be more likely to make poor decisions or face other risks like substance abuse or academic failure.

Another example is a boy who has been bullied at school because of his learning disability. This has affected his self-esteem and has led to withdrawal from social activities and participation in church. The emotional toll is clear, as he is becoming increasingly isolated.

To address these risks, our faith community could take several steps. One idea is to establish a mentorship program where young people like this girl can be paired with a responsible adult in the congregation who can offer guidance and support. This would provide them with positive role models and help them stay focused on their personal growth. We could also create more inclusive spaces in the church for children with learning disabilities, offering peer support programs to combat isolation and promote a sense of belonging.