FAQs

Why donate to charities and non-profit organizations?

Instead of just talking about problems in society, or “raising awareness” with a ribbon or sign, millions of people give of their money and time on a regular basis to support causes they believe in, as well as for the positive effect it has on their own lives.

According to the Charities Aid Foundation, there are many reasons to give to charity. Here are 3 to consider.

Giving to charity makes you feel good. Donating is a major mood-booster when you’re helping others… proving the old adage that it really is “better to give than to receive”.

Giving to charity strengthens personal values. A feeling of social conscience was the most widely-given reason to donate. In their study, 96% said they felt they had a moral duty to use what they had to help others. Having the power to improve the lives of others is, to many people, a privilege, and one that comes with its own sense of obligation.

Giving to charity introduces your children to the importance of generosity. Sharing with your children the experience of donating to charity shows them from a young age that they can make positive changes in the world. Children naturally love to help others, so nurturing their innate generosity is likely to mean that they will grow up with a greater appreciation for what they have, and will carry on supporting charity in years to come.

Why Parable Project?

The Parable Project, right here in Columbus, is having a positive impact on the lives of middle school kids in the Linden communities. We need individuals and companies to financially support our efforts. We could do so much more with additional funding.

Teen stories are being rewritten with The Parable Project. But, we need your financial assistance to expand our reach to more kids by bringing on staff members and vehicles. For the families of our Parable kids, there is no cost to participate. We use our company van to transport the kids. The kids engage in wholesome activities that involve exercise and peer interaction, learning the importance of kindness, respect, working together and having fun. The kids and staff mentors discuss the negative influences within the community and how best to respond to and avoid them. Working with Columbus businesses, we want to give the kids a vision for their life after graduation. We want to broaden their horizons regarding potential educational, job and career paths, all while helping them identify the skills they have and assist them in developing new skills. The kids can tour businesses, talk with business owners, learn about different kinds of jobs, and how to prepare for them. We want their classroom motivation to be fueled by their own vision for a better future.

Our impact on these kids and their families is significant. Most of the kids in our latest graduating class of 8th graders were with us for 2+ years, starting with us during the pandemic. Our small group, long-term, weekly contact builds lasting relationships. The foundation for these relationships is built upon the teachings in the Bible. After all, “parables” are simple stories in the Gospels used to illustrate the truth about life and existence.

Our Parable kids will shine as a light in their communities. It is up to us to give them the tools to pursue their dreams and the strength and confidence to resist the negative influences. Now that we’ve been operating for a few years, and we can see the influence Parable Project has with the kids, I can’t imagine The Parable Project not operating.

Why middle schoolers?

Middle schoolers (7th & 8th graders), in the inner-city communities, face risks and challenges every day that most of us cannot even imagine. What we see on the evening news they witness first hand because it’s happening to their friends and neighbors. Middle schoolers are uniquely vulnerable for several reasons. The close supervision, activities and transportation associated with grade school have ended. They are gaining some independence, but they’re not driving yet so their after school activities are limited and often unsupervised. They are still kids and they need physical activity and fun. They start to become aware of the negative influences within the community and at their local high schools. Motivation in the classroom can start to take a backseat to unhealthy relationships, peer pressure and social media as students navigate who they are. School proficiency and graduation rates are low because kids don’t have a vision for their future. They haven’t been exposed to a wide range of educational, job and career paths, and life experiences. They start to lose their desire to do well in school and life.