What Is JJM?
JJM Youth For Christ Metro Pittsburgh is a Ministry who reaches high-risk, detained, and incarcerated youth in, We work together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement.
We strive to respond to the needs of incarcerated youth with relational programs that encourage conversation and build capacity for success in kids. Since every kid is unique and their situations are all different, we reach teens in a variety of youth-serving institutions (i.e. detention centers, probation, correctional facilities, group homes, residential treatment centers, emergency shelters, etc.) Our strategy is to help young people develop a way of living taught by Jesus Christ; balancing the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of life. We build valued relationships that are sustained through ongoing involvement as they re-enter their communities.
The Need For JJM
On any given year in the US there are over 500,000 teens actively incarcerated in local detention centers. The sad fact is that, for many of these young people, the detention center is the only place they feel safe, have reliable meals, are sober, or are not facing constant verbal abuse. It is also a place of deep despair for many, and a place where they have the time to think about their lives with a clear mind and an open heart. It is during this time that they are most open to hearing the transformational message of Jesus. JJM gives believers around the country effective tools to pursue the thousands of young people experiencing the challenges of incarceration, abandonment, addictions, and abuse in institutions and programs all over the United States.
How Does JJM Impact Kids?
Every kid is wired for relationship. Whether they are outgoing and loud or quiet and reserved, they want deep relationships with people who care about them. We believe this is a God-given desire, true of every kid, and we want to be those caring individuals who engage them in relationship. Every program, every interaction, is designed to build a relationship and to start conversation. Through those conversations we earn the right to speak into the lives of the youth we meet with the hope and saving grace of Jesus Christ.
What Are JJM’S Focal Points?
Using outreach, Bible study, small group programming, and personal mentoring to meet the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs in a young person’s life.
Frequent Connections
Entering into a youth’s world to build healthy relationships and model Christ-like behavior on a frequent and ongoing basis.
One-To-One Contacts
Meeting individually with a young person to provide personal attention and focus on specific needs.
Aftercare
Creating systems and structure for sustained relationships with caring adults to help teens successfully re-enter their communities.
Helping Incarcerated Youth All Over Pittsburgh
JJM is a new ministry in the Metro Pittsburgh Chapter of Youth for Christ. We currently are ministering to individuals in correctional facilities in Carrick (Southern Pittsburgh Neighborhoods)
They Need Volunteers
In order to impact these incarcerated kids of neglect, abuse, abandonment, and trauma we need individuals willing to answer the call of Christ to descend into the darkness of these kids lives and bear the light of Jesus so that they may be regenerated by his loving grace.
The number of kids entering correctional facilities is increasing every day— we must be increasing in number as well. As a recently started ministry, we are in dire need of more volunteers. There needs to be Adults who can be there for young individuals, connect with them on a personal level, and pray and seek the well-being of their livelihood.
Financial Support
Money is going towards the programs that are in place to sustain on going ministry with incarcerated kids in facilities and our restorative programs for after we help them enter back into society.
Money goes towards helping these kids find lots of things necessary to get back on there feet in society like education, jobs, or even families.
Contact Us About JJM
My name is Phil Stinelli (link to Phil’s Bio) and I am the director of JJM in the Metro Pittsburgh chapter of Youth for Christ. Contact me if you would like to volunteer, Donate, or simply have any other questions about the ministry. Below is my contact Information.
Phil Stinelli Director of JJM and Carrick City Life.
Email: philstinelli@yfcmp.org
Phone Number: 412-779-9194