YLLC partners with “Unconditional,” film to hit theaters fall 2012, for call to “ACT.”

Youth Life partners with “Unconditional,” a film to hit theaters this coming fall, to express the urgent need to serve at-risk children and youth in inner-city communities all across the country in a movement called, “ACT.”  After “Unconditional” producers came to know our ministry through their relationship with the Boselli Foundation in Jacksonville, Florida, the partnership seemed inevitable.  In fact, producers shot their “ACT” video at Youth Life Learning Centers in Jacksonville.

“They really want it to be more than just a movie but a movement to action,” says Yolanda Shields, CEO of Youth Life Learning Centers.  “I didn’t realize until halfway into the movie that it was about my friend, Joe Bradford, whom I have known for over 20 years!  He is definitely an example of how one person can make a difference to impact children living in the inner-city.  Our partnership with “Unconditional” and “ACT” will allow observers to see what faith based organizations throughout the country are already doing to impact children and families and how they can help the cause.”

“What Youth Life Foundation of Tennessee (YLFT) has been doing since 2001 is a perfect model of doing urban ministry in a way that brings sustainable changes to the lives of at-risk children and youth,” says Benjamin Thigpen, Director of Community Relations and ACT for Harbinger Media Partners, LLC, Producers of “Unconditional.” “By focusing on a balanced program of education, character and life skills, Youth Life has deeply impacted kids living in Tennessee communities.  YLLC is an urban ministry that we are proud to highlight and encourage our viewers to support via donations, volunteering, partnering, etc.“

Make sure to check out “Unconditional” at a theater near you this September!  Read more about “Unconditional” and the ACT movement.

Wesley Legg, Co-Producer of “Unconditional” and Chief Operating Officer of Harbinger Media Partners, added, “We are blown away by how many people are responding to the movie and we can’t wait to see how God moves on the hearts of audiences across the country this fall.”

Youth Life Welcomes Karen Thomas as New Board Member

Youth Life Learning Centers welcomes Karen Thomas, program director at Emdeon, as a new addition to our Board.  Karen became a board member in January of this year.

Karen Thomas, New 2011 Board Member

“I was honored to be apart of something where each person takes great care in their stewardship for a reward that is far more precious than money,” Thomas says.

With fifteen years experience in healthcare, she has witnessed companies grow in service through a standardizing processes with measuring outcomes to achieve the best possible efficiency.  It is with this background that she will be able to contribute to Youth Life for its upmost growth.

Thomas received her B.A. from Vanderbilt University in pre-Med and her M.B.A. in healthcare management at University of Pheonix.  She enjoys traveling, trying new foods, animals and reading.  She is also finishing her scuba certification.

Thomas wants each YLLC student to realize his or her purpose and take advantage of the opportunities that will lead each to fulfill that purpose.