Red Shield’s Teen program a safe haven

The Salvation Army Red Shield Modesto has done an amazing job at blessing everyone that comes to experience any of their programs. The Teen program gives teens the opportunities, the experiences, and the help they need in order to grow, strive, and become better people. The mission of the Teen program is designed to assist students with all aspects of their academic work, give them opportunities to experience working, and to assist them in making the right decisions in life, all while having fun.

There are a myriad of highlights from the Teen program. One seventh grader, Alex, expressed his thoughts by saying, “This place is the best; friendly staff, and offers snacks, games, and movies.”

The Teen program offers a Monday through Friday safe haven filled with a variety of activities throughout the week such as arts/crafts, STEM, homework support, gym games, and life advice. On Friday nights, the teen program extends into the evening to provide a safe place with a fun-filled, spiritual-centered night. In addition, the Teen program ties into Sunday school offering spiritual growth and guidance to the teens. Overall, the Teen program provides mental, physical, spiritual, and career-oriented growth for every child that walks through the doors.

“I first became involved with the Red Shield at age seven,” Jose Luis Ortiz shared. “It all started with the baseball program. I fell in love with baseball, so

I played baseball until I aged out at 15. I was blessed by having great coaches when I was playing baseball. As a teenager I still went to the Red Shield on a regular.

One of my biggest blessings was meet- ing the staff at Red Shield. They always kept their door open for me and were always and still are very welcoming, even when I wasn’t on my best behavior. My wife (then girlfriend) and I would attend most of the Red Shield functions, but we especially liked Teen night. At age 17 I decided to join the U.S. Army. During my four years on active duty I was stationed in South Korea, North Carolina, and Iraq. After active duty I did two years of National Guard. After leaving the army I came home and felt like reaching out to Maria and Ruben about coaching at The Red Shield, this was in 2007 and I’ve been coaching since. Now my wife, Jennifer, and I have been married for 20 years and we have six kids.

“The Red Shield was a blessing for me then and still is now,” Ortiz continued. “My kids are involved with the Red Shield and their programs in hopes that one day they too realize the Red Shield is a blessing. I know that I wouldn’t have accomplished the things that I did without my family and friends at home and the Red Shield’s programs and prayers.”

Teen Program

The character-building programs help teens develop skill-building, goal-setting, leadership development and Christian living. Other activities include music program classes, Sunday school, teen fellowship and youth trips. The funding for this ongoing program costs $90,000.