Dear Friend, It was a billboard that grabbed my attention. A billboard I didn't expect to see in a small town in Southern Idaho. A billboard whose words arrested my heart, brought shock to to my soul, and stirred up a greater passion for what God has called me to do.   As I passed the billboard, I couldn't help but think about the story I read recently of two young men, who after-school one afternoon, found a gun a single mom kept for her protection in the top of a closet. As you know, kids left unsupervised don't make the best choices, and on a warm spring day, in a rural community in America, that truth become a reality. The two boys, knowing little about the pistol they were holding, made the choice to fire the gun in the air. In a matter of seconds, the under 11 year-old boy's young friend collapsed to the ground with a gunshot to his neck. The 6th grader didn't think that the shot he just fired would ricochet off of the ceiling and into the body of his best friend. The young boy didn't think. He couldn't connect his actions to a potential deadly action; he needed an adult to help him make a better choice. What happened to this young boy now laying on the living room floor bleeding? What happens to children when no one is watching? There are two ways to answer that question. The first answer comes from your own experience and knowledge of what takes place each afternoon between 3 and 6 p.m. The other is to look at what research is done by the Department of Justice and Education, as well as, other concerned groups like the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (www.safeyouth.org). We have a saying among our national missionary team that states: "Research Informs Practice." What happens to children when no one is watching? Here is what we know: During the after-school hours, children and teens are more likely to become victims of violent crime than at any other time during the day. Violence by teens peaks in the hours immediately after-school. Children and teens get involved in riskier behaviors after-school such as; using drugs and alcohol, engage in risky sexual behavior, get arrested, and just like the billboard I saw while traveling, carry and use weapons. These are just a few of the things that happen if kids in America go without adult supervision. for these reasons, "We believe that every student in America needs a safe and enriching place to go after-school." And I know you do too! You Can Create a Safe Place for At-Risk Kids After-School How? Get more involved in the National After-School Initiative faciliated by KidCare America. You can do that in three ways: Be the catalyst or point person who starts or speaks on behalf of launching a KidCare America/Thrive Student Center in you community. Click here to find out how to start a center, or call us at 417-866-8864. Write a letter to the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God and the Executive Director of US Missions to express your understanding of the need for after-school care, and the need to increase funding to meet the need. Click here to learn more. Be part of the Safe Kids Project. Click here to learn more. It is estimated that in 2007, 9 students under the age of 16 will be killed by gunfire during the after-school hours each day. That is, if you don't get involved. Because you believe that every student in America needs a safe and enriching place to go after-school, the Gun Safety coalition predictions will not be fulfilled. You can literally save a child's life! A Call to Action I almost forgot to tell you what happened to the young man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The young man laying int he living room bleeding from an accidental gunshot from a young man who had no one to help him make the right choice. The 10-year old boy survived the shooting, and today both boys are involved in an after-school program where each afternoon they are safe and growing academically, motionally and most of all spiritually. It is time for action. Nancy and I need men and women of vision, faith, and action to provide safe places for at-risk kids to go after-school. Will you answer the call? Please do not think that a small part of this call to action is insignificant. It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change teh world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. His for Kids, J. Michael Ferguson Missionary Founder/President/CEO KidCare America, Inc.