I recently began a word study on the word

poor in the Bible, but I have not yet finished

it (not a brief topic). This is a verse that

grabbed my attention: “Behold, this was the

iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, overa-

bundance of food, prosperous ease, and

idleness were hers and her daughters’; nei-

ther did she strengthen the hand of the poor

and needy." (Ezekiel 16:49 Amplified)

Some Bible translations use help instead of

strengthen, but I believe that strengthen

conveys a depth of helping that is more than

a handout or one-time gifts to

strangers (though those have their

place). How do you strengthen the hand of

the poor? I am still fleshing that out, but it

probably involves moving out of your realm

of comfort (or as Ezekiel calls it, "prosperous

ease") to help in some way.

What does that look like with regards to gen-

trification?

Do I respond compassionately to families I

know who are affected by rising rent?

Can I help provide creative solutions for

living on less?

Will I encourage them to be good neigh-

bors, to be positive community contributors?

Can I mentor kids to remain in school,

graduate, and make wise choices?

I believe those might be starting points.

1. Mike Sunnucks, “Downtown Phoenix, Roosevelt Row

Replace Scottsdale as Most Expensive Rental Markets,”

Phoenix Business Journal, July 29, 2015.

Phoenix, along Roosevelt Row, which bor-

ders or is part of the Garfield neighbor-

hood. We’ve already observed our Aim

Right demographics changing. Rising num-

bers of youth who attend our programs actu-

ally live just outside of the Garfield neighbor-

hood, a few miles to the east or south.

There’s a big word for what is happening:

gentrification.

Gentrification occurs when a downtrodden

urban area undergoes outward transfor-

mation, with middle or upper income classes

purchasing and renovating properties. Gen-

trification does bring obvious positive results

to a community; crime goes down, and prop-

erty values go up. Yet there’s another as-

pect of gentrification that will be the focus of

the rest of this article: the poor. As gentrifi-

cation unfolds, the poor in a neighborhood

are typically displaced.

transitions

If you were to stroll down 11th Street, be-

tween Van Buren and Roosevelt, you would

notice some fancy sidewalks. Historical

facts about downtown Phoenix and photos

have been incorporated, and you would see

photos of Aim Right.

Even if there weren't sidewalks to share the

history of the Garfield neighborhood, most of

the homes there point to a time long

ago. My understanding is that homes within

the Garfield neighborhood were built be-

tween 1883 and 1942, spanning several

decades and showcasing various styles of

architecture.

Many homes within Garfield have been re-

stored (at least on the exterior) in the last

number of years, making it quite an eclectic

neighborhood of cared for, restored homes

scattered in with dilapidated, neglect-

ed ones.

While I don’t claim to know a lot about the

ins and outs of neighborhood transformation,

seeing these changes within Garfield makes

me wonder: As more properties are reno-

vated and gain the move-in ready status that

is so popular today, where will the poor

live? They reside within Garfield right now

because the non-renovated homes are what

they can afford, not because it's artsy, histor-

ic, and close to downtown.

A recent study1 revealed that the most ex-

pensive apartment rents in the Valley are no

longer in Scottsdale, but rather in downtown

The Garfield Neighborhood: A Community in Transition By Amy Unrau

Spooner Court, established in 1926

One of the sidewalk features: Aim Right’s house

A tastefully restored and landscaped home

Ending Well By Darrell Bacher

“Endings are meant to be full—full of grief, and full of deep satisfaction. Full

of laughter, and full of tears. Relinquishment and relish are the essence of

what it means to end well.” - Dan Allender

I have read the above quote

many times over the past few

weeks since we as a family

made the decision to relocate to

another state after being in

Phoenix for over 30 years! I

asked myself and others the

question: “How do we wrap up

so many years of life, experienc-

es, and relationships?” Almost

simultaneously, I received in my

e-mail inbox a series of podcasts

from Dan Allender on “Ending

Well,” which continues to be very

influential in wrapping up this

season of life.

Even though this ending is pain-

ful in some ways, especially re-

leasing the significant relation-

ships that have developed over

the years, I know it also opens

new doors for God to use us in

new ways to influence others for

the kingdom.

Amidst the mixture of emotions is

a sense of satisfaction as I reflect

on the ministry that has been

established, the lives influenced

by the Gospel, and the leaders that are being trained and developed to carry on this “God

work.”

I am so grateful for each one of you and your continued commitment to Aim Right and for

each of you that has served in some capacity at Aim Right, whether it was as an intern, vol-

unteer, board member, and the list goes on! This work is far beyond myself and includes so

many of you.

I am excited as I look to the future to see how God will continue to use this ministry to help

youth find direction in life!

1999

The Bacher family’s new home will be in North Carolina, near Julie’s parents.

Please pray for them as they make this significant transition. Current Teen

Ministry and Intern Director Caleb Reed will become Aim Right’s Executive

Director on January 1, 2016, and Darrell will continue in an advisory role as

part of Aim Right’s Board of Directors.

2009

1993

2005

2001

2014

2004

From the Archives

Dear Darrell Bacher, Hey! What’s up? Nothing much here. You don’t know me, but when you came to Adobe Mountain, I was in the audience. You gave me your card: Aim Right Minis-tries. On your card it says helping youth find direction in life. I have found God, and I talk to Him every night. It’s wonder-ful, but I still need help to understand what He says. I’ve read the whole Bible. It was very interesting, but in some ways I didn’t understand. So I’m asking for your help if you could write or when I get out, I can come visit you, and you can help me understand more. I would appreciate it. Your friend, Ronald Rollins

A Vision—A Youth Center (from a 1993 newsletter)

Aim Right has a vision to be more effec-tive in reaching the teens of the inner city. We would like to open a Youth Center. The center would provide recreational programs, discipleship and training, a teen church, and most of all would invade the inner city with the love of God. Would you pray with us that God would supply all the resources needed to put this vision into action?

The Heart of Jesus: Serving (from a 1997 newsletter)

We are never more like God than when we give and serve. Be an authentic serv-ant, reflecting the heart of Jesus, because of what you have received from Him! - Darrell Bacher

2007 2011

2009 1998

2013

2008

Contact Us Mailing Address: Phone: (602) 462-1987

1013 North 13th Street E-mail: info@aimright.org

Phoenix, AZ 85006

Follow Us Website: aimright.org Facebook: Aim Right Ministries

Blog: aimright.blogspot.com

Ministry Locations Downtown: 1013 N. 13th Street, Phoenix

North: 1613 W. Mountain View Rd, Phoenix

Personnel President/Founder: Darrell Bacher

Board: Arlen Godshall, Mike Kienzlen, Chris King, James Miller

Aim Right North Directors: AJ & Jewel Miller

Teen Ministry & Intern Director: Caleb Reed

Office Administrator: Amy Unrau

Mission Statement

Established in 1991, Aim

Right Ministries provides

after-school recreational

activities, educational tutor-

ing, and moral and spiritual

training for at-risk youth and

children living in central

Phoenix.

Working in cooperation with

local churches, we desire

these youth to be evange-

lized and discipled for

Christ.

NEEDED: MINISTRY INTERNS Aim Right has current openings for both male and female interns.

Visit our website for an application. Desired applicants should be:

At least 18 years old

Willing to serve for one year

Committed Christians who want to grow, learn, and serve

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Each of our campuses can use extra volunteers to assist with programs or

special events this fall. Church groups and families are welcome. Please

call (602) 462-1987 for more information or e-mail Amy Unrau at amy@aimright.org.

HELP END THE SUMMER SLUMP For most non-profits, the summer months are difficult financially. Aim Right is no exception! Utilities

are at their highest, while giving is at its lowest. If God lays it on your heart to make a contribution,

know that you will be helping to meet a need.