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Sunday, September 22, 2002

theeagle.com
The Bryan-College Station Eagle
Copyright © 2002

Marilyn Martell is a columnist for The Bryan-Coillege Station Eagle. Her e-mail address is mmartell@tca.net.

Taking battle for area youths to the streets

by Marilyn Martell
Out & About

When it comes to kids in crisis, J.J. Ramirez of Bryan understands.

He's been in their shoes. And next weekend, he's inviting the community to "Walk a Mile in His Steps", to benefit S.O.S. Ministries - Save Our Streets.

A former drug dealer and addict, Ramirez admint he was ona troubled path as a younger man, going nowhere fast. After attending a tent revival in 1993. Ramirez found an alternative to his life of gang activity and violdence: God.

"This situation is bigger than all of us - but i'ts not bigger than God," says Ramirez. "Through prayer and the financial support of our community leaders, churches, organizations, businesses and concerndd individuals, we can share God's plan and provide a future filled with His love and hope for our 'crisis' youth."

When Ramirez formed S.O.S. Ministries, he literally took the Word to the street. Rival gang members put difference aside and joined in prayer services. The lost and aimless found hope and direction. As its populariety grew, S.O.S. added a Men's Home, mentoring programs and outreach services. There are countless success stories, each incredible and inspiring.

"Our community is filled with hundreds of youth in crisis, suffering pain and trauma as a result of events beyond their control [such as] abusive home situations, proverty, abandonment, gang activity, drugs, sexual exploitation, trapped by circumstance, caught in a downward spiral of violence and being forced to live on danger-filled streets," says Ramirez.

A "Walk a Mile In His Steps" Banquet willb e Thursday, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Room 224 of the Memorial Student Center at Texas A&M. The public is invited to enjoy dynamic speakers, entertainment, dinner and fellowship.

On Sept. 28 eight-person "Jericho" teams from churches, businesses and organizations will raise funds by walking a mile. Almost 30 teams have signed up, and there's room for more.

To kick off "Walk a Mile in His Steps" Awareness WEek, Ramirez and S.O.S. youth will take to the streets, walking five miles a day for six days, encircling the Bryan-College Station area and traveling through the streets once claimed by gangs and drugs. Funds raised through this event will support and expand the work of S.O.S. Ministries.

"The need we have, the struggles these kids face, are huge," says Ramirez. "We need a miracle."

For more informaiton on S.O.S. Ministries or its events, call 775-5357.

Save Our Streets Ministries
P.O. Box 2866
Bryan, TX 77805
(979) 775-5357
E-mail: sosministries