Making a difference for a lifetime.
Before making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, Sergeant Henry Prendes dreamed of establishing a summer camp for inner-city youth. The fulfillment of that dream is much more than a fun summer camp — it's a place of life-changing experiences.
The need is real. Together we can make a difference.
Youth in disadvantaged urban areas are at greater risk for smoking, trying alcohol, and using drugs.
High school dropout rates are 12–15% worse in central city urban areas — and dropouts are 2× as likely to be unemployed, 3× as likely to get arrested, and 7× as likely to be on government assistance.
Urban crime rates are about 3× greater than rural crime rates; urban violent crime about 4× greater.
98% of gang members are either dead, in prison, or maimed for life.
Can summer camp really make a difference? Absolutely.
Hope over hopelessness
University of Alabama research shows many inner-city youth have severe feelings of hopelessness — a predictor of undesirable risk behaviors. At Henry's Place, youth experience a message of hope and build confidence, teamwork, and esteem through hands-on activities.
Future potential
Children in poverty are often taught to survive and live in the moment. Surrounded by a motivated and loving staff, youth at Henry's Place are taught to think past their present circumstances and embrace their future potential.
The power of faith
A Harvard study found that of all background factors that help people escape poverty, "the most powerful was weekly religious worship." Inner-city boys who attend church regularly are 50% less likely to commit crimes, 54% less likely to use drugs, and 47% less likely to drop out of school.
We cannot do this without you.
Each summer, Henry's Place partners with Las Vegas area faith-based and secular community groups to identify at-risk youth, provide them week-long life-changing camp experiences in beautiful Southern Utah, and follow up with mentoring organizations in their home communities.
Will you help fulfill the dream?