what we do

BREAKFAST CLUB

Weekly, the Leverage Ministries staff picks up a group of 8-12 at-risk teenage boys from their homes and hosts a before-school Breakfast Club at the Dream Center. The boys get the opportunity to eat breakfast, hear a Bible lesson and play basketball before the staff drives them to school. This is an opportunity for the Leverage staff to develop relationships within a small-group setting and for continued mentoring opportunities throughout the year. The Leverage staff often picks the boys up on student holidays from school or on weekends for other fun activities. Leverage hosts a Christmas party for the Breakfast Club boys that includes a home-cooked meal, games and gifts for each kid.

*This project is funded through a grant from the George W. Jenkins Fund within GiveWell Community Foundation.

runaway shelter

Each Wednesday night, a team of Leverage Ministries staff and volunteers visit the George W Harris Jr. Runaway and Youth Crisis Shelter in Bartow. This facility offers emergency shelter and other services to youth aged between 10 and 17. The team plays games with the kids and share a Bible lesson. Leverage also hosts a Christmas party at the shelter each December with a home-cooked meal and gifts for the kids.

florida Sheriff’s youth Villa

Summer camp

One of the favorite activities we do each year is a summer camping trip. This week-long, overnight camp is an opportunity for these at-risk teenagers to spend a week doing what a lot of kids take for granted — things like swimming, fishing, playing video games, and sadly, even just eating three meals a day. We do daily team building activities, Bible lessons, games and more. The week also includes a trip to the beach, tubing and oftentimes an area attraction such as Fun Spot or Busch Gardens.

sports camps

Throughout the summer, Leverage Ministries hosts weekly basketball camps for the underprivileged teenagers in the Lakeland community. We partner with Heritage Baptist Church to use their facilities. In addition to playing basketball, we serve the kids lunch and have a daily Bible lesson. Sometimes, guest coaches are available to come work with and speak to the kids as well.

food/toy drives

Each November, Leverage Ministries partners with Heritage Baptist Church to hold a Thanksgiving food drive. We collect canned goods, nonperishable food items, baby supplies and more. The food is distributed to the families we work with in the Lakeland community.

In December, we host Christmas parties for our Breakfast Club boys and at the Runaway Shelter. We decorate a Christmas tree, provide a home-cooked meal for the kids, play games, share the Christmas story about Jesus’ birth and have special gifts for each kid. We partner with several different organizations to collect homemade blankets and gift cards for the kids.