Our Community Needs Us

Shelby is a great place to call home. Throughout the years families have modeled loving their neighbor by serving them. The adults took ownership of this village by looking after the young and the old. There was a true sense of “community.” Much has changed creating greater needs today based on the following facts:
  • Shelby Public Schools has 1,215 students; 75% of them are economically disadvantaged.
  • There are many single parent families and broken homes.
  • There is a lack of safe activities outside of school athletics, music and clubs.
  • A large population of unsupervised youth exist in and around Shelby.
  • School officials have stated that students don’t want to leave school at the end of the day.
Our community needs a safe alternative, to provide direction, structure, and opportunities for our youth and for every child to feel wanted, important and loved. As the youth center dream was considered, people also stated the needs of the older adults in Shelby, so the idea grew from a youth hangout to a community center for all to enjoy.

Working Model

The Leadership has spent time with the Executive Director of “The Rock,” a successful inter-generational community center in Kingsley, MI. Diane Walton had a vision for her community, starting with students who were not involved with athletics. She wanted a place for them to belong. She worked tirelessly from ground zero in turning an old fire station into a community center. It is such a wonderful asset to Kingsley.

Why Name it "The Ladder"?

A ladder is used to get to greater heights. The ladder represents movement in a positive direction toward our life goals, as well as growing in our relationship with our heavenly Father. We climb the ladder one step at a time. Life, changes, and opportunities are taken one step at a time with the Holy Spirit’s leading. At times we need someone to hold the ladder. True community happens when people come alongside to offer support, encouragement and friendship.

In Genesis 28:10-22 we find the story of Jacob’s ladder. Jacob was fleeing from his brother Esau, who was angry because Jacob had stolen his birthright. On his way to his relative’s house, Jacob lay down for the night. As he was dreaming, he had a vision of a ladder between heaven and earth. This was God taking the initiative to reach out to man.

Jesus refers to Himself as this ladder in John 1:51: "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man." 
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The perfect “ladder” is Jesus Christ, who is God come to earth to save humanity.