The urban youth involved at Teen Haven share stories, art, songs and poetry; each reflecting the transformation and change that is taking place in their lives! We hope you are encouraged and inspired by their words and reflections.
Videos from Teen Haven
Take a closer look into Teen Haven and hear stories from campers, staff, and camp counselors (this video was created by WJTL).
Watch and listen to Carlos sharing about the joys of being a junior counselor at Teen Haven Camp:
Check out Victor as he shares about serving at Teen Haven Camp:
Memories from Teen Haven's Stronger Together leadership conference:
Stories from Teen Haven
Reflections from Diana Serrano
These last three years at Teen Haven have been the most fulfilling of my life. I remember back when I started volunteering there, almost two years to the date, and Pastor Jose Jimenez asked me one day if I could sweep the pool room and begin setting up for the after school program that was taking place that day, Torch. The program was for elementary school aged children from 3rd-5th grade. When he asked me this I thought “what, does he know how old I am why can’t I do something more important?” I quickly repented and was reminded, “He who is faithful with little will be blessed with much”. It was hard at times, humbling, but God remained faithful in spite of my negative and prideful mindsets. He continued to lovingly rebuke me and remind me why I volunteered there and why it was so important for me to serve in such a way, my love for Him and the ministry. The kids I was able to meet and minister to made it worth the long hours and the not so glamorous duties. Their hearts, smiles and testimonies really impacted me. This and just the simple reminder that God is faithful to the those who remain faithful and that whatever I did no matter how small, my reward was being stored up in heaven. This gave me the drive that I needed to minister, to serve, to submit and do whatever small and/or great thing I was asked to do.
After a year and half of serving and wondering if I should remain there, God opened the door for me to become a paid intern there at our Teen Haven campsite on girl weekends; this was an answer to my long awaited prayer. Being an adult and having to go to school fulltime and work was not always easy and often took me away from Teen Haven, my favorite place on earth. How amazing and wonderful, what a blessing! As the school year ended I was remembered again by our Heavenly Father and was offered a full time position there as a summer intern, after some prayer and some meeting with my church leaders I took the position, what a summer it was and just on time. Going back and forth to camp, serving at different churches throughout the city and having day camp programs was satisfying and exhausting at times but God remained faithful. Now the summer is over and God has blessed me with a new job at George Washington Elementary School as an Outreach Paraprofessional. This job will give me an opportunity to work with families in that neighborhood and help them get connected in the school and community, possibly Teen Haven. A major part of my job is being able to work as a team member and also being able to bring my strengths to the table to help equip the team and better serve our community something that Teen Haven really focused on this summer.
Now God has blessed me with much because I was faithful with the little. There were definitely times when I doubted that I should remain at Teen Haven and others when I did not want to serve. I even prayed if I should take the position at Teen Haven, isn’t that so much like the human nature, praying for so long for and opportunity and then when God gives it to us, we pray and ask God if this is really Him, thank God for His grace, patience and faithfulness. I am so thankful to all the staff at Teen Haven, everyone has blessed my heart and affected me in such a way that I cannot describe in words. Continue to remain faithful and God will bless you.
Blessed and Highly Favored,
Diana Serrano