Volunteer Elena Sanchez
Think you’re too young to make a difference in offering help and hope to our community? Think again! Elena began volunteering with Breakdown when she was still in high school. A ministry targeted to middle and high school students, Breakdown shares a message of abstinence and purity – a message Elena was almost too shy to share!
A Breakdown volunteer originally spotted Elena dancing at a high school event. He asked her to try out for the Breakdown team. But Elena was so nervous and shy, she asked everyone except Breakdown’s manager and a few volunteers to leave the room. But her desire to share a message of truth overcame her fears and Elena made the team.
Today Elena volunteers on both the dance and drama teams and is now on-staff as a part-time administrative assistant for Breakdown. Although her commitment to modeling purity has remained firm, it has not been without its challenges.
Her own high school graduation is a situation she recalls. The most sought-after boy in her class invited her to come back to his home after their graduation. From his invitation, it was clear they would be alone. Elena instantly remembered the faces of young girls who have been in the audience listening to her and watching her performance. She also remembered the tragic consequences in the lives of some of her friends who had not chosen purity. Elena turned down the young man’s offer, choosing instead to celebrate graduation with her family.
It is this kind of dedication and commitment that defines Elena and other volunteers with Breakdown. Not only do they practice together each week, they also make time to practice at home on their own time. In addition, Elena takes seriously her commitment to God and to the ministry. She knows there are many young people watching her life as a result of her volunteer efforts.
But Elena is grateful to be in a position to share such a positive message with teens. “Breakdown is a God-thing,” explains Elena. “He ministers through the actors/dances as they tell a story that reaches teens. Just like Jesus told parables to get His message across, Breakdown uses dance and drama from today’s youth culture to get God’s message of purity across to today’s teens.”
And this message is being heard loud and clear. Breakdown’s most recent performance was in front of 1,800 high school students at Desert View High School in Tucson. A senior wrote to Breakdown after the performance, telling Elena and the other volunteers how much he had related to everything they said. He told them that as a result of their performance, he will now honor his future wife by waiting for her and remaining pure until marriage.
For Elena, this young man’s letter is the reward for all her hard work and commitment. She says the lives touched through Breakdown and her time volunteered is worth it all.
Do you have a few hours a month to give to The Crisis Pregnancy Centers? If so, prayerfully consider the following volunteer opportunities available through our ministry!
April Volunteers
Volunteers are needed a few hours per week during the month of April to assist in our Baby Bottle Bounce Back fundraiser. Please contact Joanie Baquet at 405-7558 or Yvonne Morris at 512-1196 for more information.
Prayer partners are needed to join our prayer chain! Please contact Yvonne Morris at 512-1196 to learn more.
