CHAD SWANZY

We threw this video around on Facebook after Cat and her committee finished putting up the dresses for her fundraiser today. 456 dresses.

I've blogged a few times about my wife jumping on board with the mission of Younglives. She has been building her committee and team now for about five months. Their first fundraiser is happening this weekend. It's called Ditch the Dress. Basically college students and young women have been ditching their prom dress and donating it to Younglives in Northwest Austin. Cat has about 275 dresses and so this weekend they will be selling them to the public for $25 to $50. They're awesome dresses and the money goes to Younglives.

Fashionably Austin got a hold of the event information and will be coming this Saturday to do a report on her event. We're pretty excited about this. Check out Fashionably Austin's blog. Join the Ditch the Dress Facebook Fan Page and spread the word about the event. You can share the event page on Facebook and RSVP as well. Please post it to your profile.

We're going a little overboard with the propaganda posters. I did one for the Gathering then Andy added about three more. Andy also did this propaganda poster for Younglife. Enjoy. Poster below.

I have another sweet file from the relic Wyldlife folder I harvested from one of our old computers. This is a rundown for a Gross Games club we did. Keep in mind this is 2005. Use to your liking. Also, I always plan two more games then what I think we need in case we are running ahead of schedule. Seven games is good but not necessary. Enjoy and keep loving students.

Clubbers Hang Out Around Fire Pit while New Clubbers Register

My wife has been building a team of mentor moms and committe members to reach out to teen moms in northwest Austin through the ministry of Younglives. Her team is hosting a fundraiser in March to raise money for taking moms and their children to a week of camp where they can come to know Christ and be loved on by caring adults.

If you would like to help out they need prom dresses and formals that have been tucked away in a closet and quite honestly will not be worn again. So, ditch the dress! Dresses will be sold to high school girls in the community who want a dress but can't afford a brand new one. This helps them and helps younglives.

DITCH THE DRESS ON FACEBOOK.

Join the Facebook group page and learn more.

Some of you have been asking me what my wife is doing with Younglives. Specifically you want to know about the fundraiser she is doing called "Ditch the Dress." Here some info.

YoungLives provides a non-judgmental environment where teen moms can meet and build friendships with other girls in their shoes. Everyone at YoungLives is accepted unconditionally. Young moms experience a warm welcome and a safe, loving place where they can discover who they are and where they’re headed. YoungLives gatherings aren’t just about sitting around! Girls can plan on plenty of crazy humor and creative activities (not to mention free food and childcare). We also connect them with a caring adult woman who will help them navigate this phase of their journey with ongoing emotional and spiritual support, as well as wisdom from her own experience. We can also help these new moms with practical tips and training as well as help with things like housing, maternity clothes, car seats or baby furniture. And finally, YoungLives sponsor a week long summer camp where the girls can kick back and relax, have fun and explore their spiritual beliefs with peers. Even the babies get in on the summer camp fun. A team of volunteer child care workers provide quality, nurturing care for the children right there on site.


So where does "Ditch the Dress" come into the equation? It's easy.

You drop off your old prom, formal, or evening dress(es) at one of our drop off locations. In March of 2010 YoungLives will host a city wide dress sale. The dresses will be sold at a price that those who buy will find cost saving and 100% of the profits will go toward sending teen moms and their babies to camp, an experience that will change their lives, and you make room in your closet. It's a win, win deal. Local high school students who couldn't afford an expensive dress save money for their prom and the teen moms of YoungLives benefit from your donation.

If you want to participate or need more info leave a comment or email us at: Chad and Cat Swanzy.

DITCH THE DRESS ON FACEBOOK.

Here is a video about the ministry of YoungLives

Recently for Younglife I was asked to put together a set design that would center the room and change the retreat center feel of cabin into something they could use to bring 260 plus kids together and create energy for their "So You Think You Can Dance" competition for students. The pic above is about half the design. We got a stretched fabric panel above the floor, lights, more fabric up front for color, then 4 X 8 styrofoam panles free hanging from the ceiling by fishing line. The video below reveals the full set. I had about a 4 hour build time.

I have always loved the ministry and mission of Younglife. My wife is raising support to go on staff for Younglives. I'm pretty stoked about that. This past weekend they invited my family to join them at Polar Bear. They asked me to build their set to center the room. Here are a few videos I grabbed with the flip camera. I got to watch them chase after 260 plus high school students with the love of Jesus and the Gospel.


This is one of the clubs at Polar Bear.





This is a walk on skit called Marvin the World's Worst Magician





This is crud war.

So, I was thinking the other day that if I was holding a contest on my blog and awarded a winner I would want my readers to know that I was true to my word with the prize delivery. The guys at Rethinking Youth Ministry, Brian & Jacob, hosted a contest for camp ideas. I submitted mine and won third place. My prize came today. Pictured below is the package. I'm also pimping Wyldlife with my favorite hat.



Here is a picture of me after the package has been opened. We're going into a new area for middle school and so we will be re-doing the meeting place. This book, Meeting Space Ideas, is actually coming at a good time.



The second book, HURT, by Chap Clark is a wonderful read. I already have a copy so I handed this one off to Josh Kornberg. Josh is interning with our new Next Generation Pastor, Kenny Conley. See the sweet hand off below.



So there's your proof. Rethinking will award the prizes.

Hurt: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers (Youth, Family, and Culture)

Meeting-Space Ideas for Youth Ministry

Soul Revolution: How Imperfect People Become All God Intended

I got this email from my good friend Jason Patchel. This email is just like hundreds of other emails that go out to thousands of beautiful and blessed peopel who love seeing lost kids come to Christ. I strongly suggest you look for a YL leader in your community and serve them with everything you can.

Friends,

Well, its that time of year again! We are about to pack up and board our charter bus to Young Life camp this summer! I couldn't be more excited about what is about to take place in so many of our kids lives this next week. We leave the Boerne YMCA parking lot @ 6pm Saturday night!

I want to ask each and everyone of you who have been supporting YL to please download the attached document with the names of each and every kid and leader so that you can be praying for us on this amazing journey! I am a firm believer that prayer changes the course of peoples lives as it has for so many of us. I can remember being a high school kid knowing that I had friends and family praying for me along my journey!

Pray for kids to come to a complete knowledge of Christ. Pray for there hearts to be opened to turning and walking in His footsteps. Pray that kids would have the week of their life knowing they are loved most by the Creator of All Things! Thanks for your prayers in advance! I know they will change the course of these kids lives! Jason

Soul Revolution: How Imperfect People Become All God Intended

I had no idea that my blogging friend was hosting a mock prom at the same time we were hosting a tacky prom. Pretty cool to think that our kids will be having some crazy end of the school year fun both at the uprising and at Younglife! Hollar!



Soul Revolution: How Imperfect People Become All God Intended

This is why I love YoungLife.