Restore Ministries, Inc.

The mission of Restore is to nurture urban youth who are at risk of dropping out of school. We help them to finish high school or get their GEDs, and encourage them to continue their education and training after high school.

Description:
Restore Ministries is a community-based, 501(C) 3 non-profit organization located in the city of Elizabeth, New Jersey. The programs and services offered through Restore Ministries are targeted towards economically disadvantaged and at-risk youth ages seven to twenty-two. Emphasis is placed on troubled youth who are facing academic and social problems regardless of socio-economic status, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, and language. The organization currently offers weekly support groups for its middle and high school members, mentoring programs, a weekly drama club and a Summer Arts Enrichment and Youth employment program. Restore Ministries’ Programs serve an average of 75 youths each year.

History:
Linwood Bagby, a Speech Therapist in the Elizabeth, New Jersey Public Schools, founded Restore Ministries in 1994.

In the early 1990’s, Mr.Bagby had a long talk with one of my students. Carlos was troubled by friends who were heavily involved with drugs, stealing and gangs. He was discouraged about life in a community that did not offer many alternatives. However, Carlos left the conversation with some hope and, it seemed, some direction. He returned the next week to ask me if he could talk again and if he could bring some friends along.

Within a few months, Mr. Bagby was meeting weekly at at local church with eight middle and high school-aged boys. A few months after that, a fellow teacher and and he founded Restore Ministries, Inc.

Since 1999, Restore Ministries has sponsored a summer arts enrichment program for city youth. Now known as A.C.E. (Arts Community Enrichment), the program has serves 50+ students each summer.

Today city youth can spend three afternoons and evenings at our host church, Second Presbyterian, where they can play in the gym, receive help from caring adults with homework and computer skills, and share meals.

Thanks to positive mentoring and peer support, these middle and high school teenagers are learning to look beyond tough circumstances. They are encouraged to set and reach goals like completing high school or GED programs, and make wise life decisions, including higher education or specialized training.

Contact people:

Linwood Bagby, Executive Director, (email) Marylou Spohr, Program Director, (email)

Office fax number: (908) 352-7550

Address:

1161 East Jersey Street Elizabeth, NJ 07201 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.restorekids.com

Directions:

Restore is housed in Second Presbyterian Church. We are located in the back parking lot of Second Presbyterian Church. There are big white doors that lead into the church gym. Second Presbyterian Church is near the corner of Broad Street. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Two blocks NJ Transit trains,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2-5 mins   Nearest Bus Stop: Across the Street, 1 minute walk

Last updated on June 8, 2009