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Gathering in the basement of the church one Tuesday, 39 teens are tie-dying their work shirts for the summer project. They are participating in Faithworks, a six-week daily program for area teens run by New Horizon that teaches them the value of work, how to fill out an application and be interviewed for a job. They work several weeks on a team project, usually focusing on cleaning up a region of the city, enhancing the community's appearance. They learn the value of being on time, working together, and working hard. Every child is paid a stipend, half of which comes from the parents, half from the church.

New Horizon is living up to its name. Brenda Wilson soon will become a nurse. But for now, she sits in her college classroom listening to Homerian lectures. "This is the journey of the hero," Brenda's teacher proclaims, "the story of moving from animal nature to God nature; from darkness to light."

Part three of five parts; click here to read part four.

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November 17 1997, Vol. 41, No. 13