The 10-day service trip, coordinated by Youth For Christ, enabled 38 women and 21 men from several Mason City churches to travel to Juarez, Mexico, a city of more than 2 million people, said Craig Pinley, co-associate pastor at First Covenant Church.

In 2002, a group of volunteer women, under the auspices of Central Minnesota Youth For Christ (CMYFC), got together to organize the local "Teen Parents" program to help teen mothers. They meet weekly throughout the school year at the Continuing Education Center (CEC) at the St. Francis Campus in Little Falls, Minnesota.

Michaela DeLong, 18, of Little Falls finished her coursework in March, and earned her high school diploma from the CEC on May 24th. Michela was a student at Little Falls Community High School until she was about seven months pregnant when she went to the CEC. She said, "It was just easier that way. I couldn't fit in the desks any longer."

Laura Dunlap (a social worker and coordinator at CEC) said, "This group has provided wonderful services to our students in a collaborative manner. It is incredible the amount of volunteer hours so many people are willing to dedicate to our students." Volunteers raise their own funds for the Morrison County program that includes prenatal and parenting skills classes for high school mothers, baby items needed for child care, a mentor program, and networking activities.

Sponsored by Youth for Christ, the two-day conference will feature national speakers and entertainers including By the Tree pop-rock group, author Sharon Hersh, George Huff from American Idol and Dave the Horn Guy from America's Got Talent. "We started the conference about 15 years ago to give kids a greater vision of what they can do," Youth for Christ Executive Director Bob Arnold said. In workshops focused on suicide, drugs, loneliness and anger, the weekend retreat provides teens with the tools to help them grow spiritually and cope with their problems, Youth for Christ spokesperson Edie Bernier said.

On Friday nights, Massey said he is planning to provide meals for the students coming to the Breakaway Center. Along with games, food and other activities, Massey said the major focus of the center will be mentoring and tutoring. He said he has several volunteers to help with these programs, although additional volunteers are always needed.