Niree, one of our graduating seniors, was sent from New York by her mother to live in this area with her grandmother. Soon after moving to New Jersey she joined our tutoring program as an eight year old and then became a regular part of our youth classes as well. Even though living here was a little better situation for Niree, it was still like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. The pressure of sharing a tiny house with as many as l7 people at a time was very hard on her. At one point there was a major drug bust at her home, with police from seven townships called in. During the ensuing melee, one policeman was knocked unconscious and rushed to the hospital with a serious cranial fracture and another policeman lost a tooth. Several of Niree's relatives were arrested during the incident. Unfortunately Niree was a witness to all of this. Not too long after this, her grandmother died and Niree went to live with an uncle and his family. Her uncle was a former Aslan basketball star who had graduated from college and was doing very well. The stabilizing effect of this new home was just what she needed.

We experienced many "ups and downs" with Niree, during the 10 years she has been with us. To now see her entering her freshman year of college makes our investment of patience and loving care worth it all. How easy it is to allow the tough rhetoric of politicians about the abuses of our welfare system (some quite real) to blind us to the equa1ly real needs in the lives of the disadvantaged of our society. I often wonder how well I would have fared under the same circumstances had I been raised as Niree was. The loving environment provided by Lynn Ann’s parents and my own wonderful parents is precisely why Aslan now exists.

The question one must ask is, "Where would Niree be had Aslan never existed?" It is my deepest conviction she would not he on the path to success she is traveling today! As I look at those who have gone before her and the lives of the precious little one who flock to our youth classes now, I know with all my heart that Aslan Youth Ministries is God's love in action. You are such an important part of this through your giving. Please know that each and every gift that supports this vital work is appreciated more than words can say. May God richly bless you for your gift. It has helped us to continue to accomplish the invaluable mission of Aslan and insure there will be many "Nirees" to come.

Most sincerely,