About Millennium of Agape' International Outreach

History

Millennium of Agape International Outreach was birthed out of the need to change the neighborhoods in which we live, in an all too familiar environment from which the founder was reared. Approximately fifteen years ago, the neighborhoods became overwhelmingly devastated by crime, violence, teenage pregnancy, truancy, drug addiction and the abuse related to addictions. Although challenging as a parent, youth and offenders began using her home as a haven to find help, peace and direction. It began with assisting one group of young men with mentorship and tutoring while avoiding the possibility of lockup. Through the process of mentoring and building relationships with these troubled youth, their inabilities, fears, and dysfunctions were exposed, which lead to teaching opportunities and referrals for meeting other needs. This began the collaboration with existing relationships not only in the neighborhoods, but with the community at large. From these humble beginnings many have attained stable employment, some have continued their education by learning a trade or going to college, while others have learned to live day by day and deal with life on life terms.

The need for such an outreach was identified by the founder as one who grew up in the Grand Rapids inner city. She was reared in Grand Rapids in a dysfunctional family where drugs and alcohol was prevalent. Both of her parents had died by the time she was 17 and she was left to raise her own baby and several brothers and sisters. As she walked through a life of drugs and alcohol, there was an unseen hand guiding her toward freedom, but society and fear of what was outside of her box kept her in a state of lack and defeat. There were days when she wished someone would come and offer her a different life, but no one ever came. Now, after being saved and clean from alcohol and drugs for thirty years, her desire is to extend the hand of change that she had desired as a youth. Therefore, Millennium has introduced a non-traditional approach to learning and restoration back into the community, in a family-oriented environment. Millennium is about providing an environment where change can occur, without the fear, frustration, and intimidation that the traditional settings may bring.

Millennium began to grow quickly through clients bringing or referring family members for assistance. The impact of individuals and families being empowered to take control of their lives is far reaching when we consider our community nation and world. Once these individuals have become stable, their ability to help others and become role models of change affects those around them. Businesses will have better employees, schools will have better students, the economy will be strengthened due to a decrease in crime/violence and our community will become a model for the nation.

Population

Millennium serves a broad majority of the community in a time when employment is at an all time low, crime is at an all time high, and change is crucial to be successful What began as an effort to save our youth, turned into an opportunity to change the community. Millennium serves men, women and youth who are in need of a second chance due to poor decision making habits, addiction, incarceration, abuse, low self-esteem, bad relationships, emotional problems, disabilities, etc. We also provide prevention services to youth and families to promote successful life outcomes.