Capernaum Youth Group

Kara Kawanami is in the process of starting a youth groups for teenagers with disabilities. If you are interested in this special program, please contact Kara at kara.kawanami@gmail.com. Please take a moment to read some information below that Kara thought might be useful for parents interested in the program.
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Young Life is an international, non-denominational, faith-based, parachurch organization for teenagers which aims at spreading the gospel to unchurched teenagers (www.younglife.org). Capernaum is Young Life's branch to share the gospel and reach teenagers with disabilities. Young Life Capernaum has been giving kids with disabilities new opportunities to discover their potential ever since it began in 1986 in San Jose, California. Since then it has spread to Young Life areas across the nation, with 82 Capernaum groups reaching more than 1,000 teenagers with disabilities on a weekly basis. Young Life has been in Tustin since 1994 but it is just now starting Capernaum. Young Life is for every kid, and that includes kids who have mental and physical disabilities. Young Life's Capernaum is a new club in Tustin which gives these teenagers opportunities to have fun, try new things, build their self esteem, make new friends, and explore a personal relationship with God through club (regular monthly scheduled meetings), camps (week long in the summer), and other activities (such as karaoke nights and holiday parties). There currently is one other Capernaum in Orange County, which is down in Laguna Hills (Southern Orange County) and has been functioning for over ten years. About fifty teenagers with disabilities gather weekly to learn about God. It is my dream to start a Capernaum for teenagers with disabilities in the Tustin and surrounding areas of Northern Orange County.

Capernaum is a combination of two of my biggest passions. I have developed a heart for people with disabilities from my autistic brother Kyle. I have always known that I want to do something to help people with disabilities; thus, I am working on my masters in speech pathology and work as a Respite Worker for United Cerebral Palsy. I also love youth ministry. I have done junior high and high school ministry for four years through Young Life and Calvary Church. I love the teenage years. Therefore, Capernaum combines my love for people with disabilities and youth ministry.

I have been working on starting Capernaum for the past 8 months. I have been volunteering in local special education high school classes weekly to meet students and teachers. In addition, I have coached a season of soccer for kids, teenagers, and adults with disabilities through the local soccer league. I have been meeting with local churches in the area to gain support. Currently, I help in a Sunday School class at Calvary for adults with developmental disabilities. For Capernaum right now, I am in the process of recruiting and training leaders. God has been opening a lot of doors and I have been blessed to watch God at work and I'm excited to see what God has in store.

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