Aslan Newsletter of November 15, 2000

Dear friends:

Last week, Rudy (a former Aslan "kid") saw me at the bank and grabbed me to give me a hug. Rudy is in his thirties now. He is happily married (with children), just purchased a home and is a supervisor in the New Jersey State Probation Office. Rudy said, "Craig, wherever I go to speak with kids or adults, I tell them it was Aslan and my mom that kept me on the right track! I couldn’t have made it without you guys." This is what Aslan is about – taking young people with such great potential and providing an atmosphere of love and support where they can make the right choices and break the vicious cycle of single-parent homes, hopelessness and despair.

Now celebrating our 25th year of ministry, Aslan is in a period of important transition. On November 1st we moved into new offices at 58 Maple Avenue, just down the street from our former facility. Our new space is much better suited to the needs of our growing staff of 11 dedicated individuals. However, our rent and utilities have increased significantly with this move. We will need to raise an additional $23,000.00 in next year’s budget in order to cover these increases.

Without wonderful individuals like you, the ministry of Aslan could not exist and we could not help young people like Rudy! I, therefore, ask boldly for your continued help. Perhaps you would consider giving a special gift to offset the costs of our move. Perhaps you are able to increase your vital support of this work through one-time gifts or regular monthly support. Whatever you are able or feel led to do, I assure you that it is on behalf of the 300 children we are privileged to serve that we come to you. Granted, our Aslan staff must have food to eat, clothes to wear and houses to live in. However, we do what we do because God has called us to do it and because we love these kids.

So much good is being done each and every day through the work of Aslan Youth Ministries! Children with little to look forward to in life are finding hope – not a reason merely to exist, but a joy that their lives can have true purpose and meaning. Thank you, and may God bless you richly, for your continued generosity.

Most sincerely,

Craig

Craig Bogard