On September 27 we heard from Matt Schulte of Compus Life, the recipient of the fundraiser that created the Serving Hands sculpture project in Lincoln.
Matt explained that Campus Life is actually just one program of Youth for Christ, where he is the Executive Director.
The Serving Hands project was launched as a fundraiser in support of Campus Life 50 year anniversary. There are 51 sculptures in Lincoln - here are only a few:
Matt shared personal stories of the artists and their inspiration behind the works of art.
Catch and Release - includes 50 metal butterflies representing Endurance, Change, Hope and Life - 50 for the 50-year anniversary of Campus Life.
Beauty from Ashes - the author was inspired by two survivors of breast cancer.
Patchwork Fields - inspired by Grant Wood this colorful landscape painting reminds us of the beautiful area of our country in which we live in.
Serving Hearts Reflect Helping Hearts - mosaic mirrors covering this piece is about reflection of our community, of self and seeing one’s own potential,
Click here for photos and information about all of the artists and their inspiration.
We heard about some controversy over the Spiderman sculpture which a citizen thought looked like Satan's hands. That controversy attracted national attention for online publications including CNN, New York Post, Fox News, Newsweek and Inside Edition.
Matt announced that the sculptures will all be moved to the Pinnacle Bank Arena area in preparation for public auction. The public auction is scheduled for October 25 - click here for details.
Matt shared stories about why Youth for Christ is so important to him and the community.
Campus Life is the longest standing program of Youth for Christ and most people recognize Campus Life before Youth for Christ., Campus Life combines healthy relationships with creative programs to help young people make good choices, establish a solid foundation for life, and positively impact their schools.
Parent Life is a program that reaches expectant and parenting teens and their children through intentional relationships with trained adults and community partnerships, empowering the teens to make good choices and encouraging them to further their education. Matt pointed out that 160 babies were born to teenagers in Lancaster County last year.
Juvenile Justice seeks to engage young people as they are met in a variety of youth-serving institutions (detention centers, probation, correctional facilities, group homes, residential treatment centers and emergency shelters).
Matt shared that the Juvenile Justice program came about as they learned of the lack of services for youth entering the justice system. There are 50 to 60 kids in jail every night. 72% of those do not get any visitors - no parents or friends. Many of the crimes of these kids are against strangers.
The program provides two services - it provides a visitor to the youth so they do not feel totally alone. And, it helps the youth get to know strangers. Hopefully they will consider them as friends in the future and not be as likely to commit the crimes against them.
Matt shared a very rough story of a young man without any visitors - he started to visit him weekly on Wednesdays. One week he decided to visit him on Tuesday as something made him feel like it was needed. He knew something was wrong.. When he was finally connected with the young man he learned that he had been charged with murder. The young man was realizing that at 16 his life was basically over - no chance to get married and have a family - he would not be eligible for parole until he was 65 years old.