Rockford Breakfast Club est. 2023
When asked what is “The Rock” people think of many things all the way from a foundation to build on, a way of life to live by, even thoughts of famous actors. In this case “The Rock” is a place where a simple message is being given – this place is for students. A place where students feel comfortable and understand this place is theirs. Students will hear the word of Jesus, not connected to a denomination or specific group, just from the bible and get a great breakfast in their own place.
Hello Friends - Family - Rockford Community
The short version of a long story. I graduated from Rockford High School (RHS) in 1981. A beautiful small town with hardworking, great people. The school system had students from Rockford, Greenfield, Corcoran, and many of the other surrounding communities. Like many who have come from this area I have always had pride in my heart for my hometown. I always hoped that I could find a meaningful way to give back to the community that gave so much to me. I have literally watched so many people coming out of the Rockford School system become very successful with their families, careers, and faith. It is still an amazing place to be. The project that we are moving forward with is called the Rockford Area Breakfast Club (RABC).
This project has been inspired by many things, over many years. In school there are many outside forces affecting students in and outside of school. Personally, my parents were divorced when I was at a young age. I had a teacher who was also the wrestling coach at that time. His name was Gordy Schmidt. He taught and coached for over 30 years in Rockford. Gordy helped so many kids. For me, what really made a difference was he would say a prayer at practice or before matches and he did a simple thing, he looked at my report card. Years later, Gordy told me he didn’t even realize it meant so much. That is the power of a teacher in a kid’s life!
Another major inspiration for the project was the STMA Breakfast Club, see Kare 11 special https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ4bSOZNFGg
it is an amazing story of how Jake and Christy Vanada founded the Breakfast Club. Living in Saint Michael, I had heard a lot about the breakfast club. When it really hit home to me as to how incredible the breakfast club was to the students and the community was out of a tragedy. Close friends of our family, Charlie & Kim Young, lost their daughter Molly and one of her best friends Kyra Winslow in a tragic automobile accident. When I watched Jake & Christy, along with 100’s of the kids from the breakfast club come together to help the Young and Winslow families get through the pain of losing their daughters I decided I wanted to help start a Breakfast Club in Rockford. I believe planting a small seed of Jesus in a kid’s heart will not only help them through school, but the rest of their lives will be impacted.
When I came to Rockford with the idea of a Breakfast Club it was welcomed with open arms. Mayors of Rockford & Greenfield, the superintendent, the principal, and many past and current teachers, coaches, community leaders, and faith leaders have already helped move the project forward. We have formed a 501c3 and opened an account in Bankwest of Rockford. Chad and Melonie Robran – both coaches and leaders of the FCA program in Rockford have partnered with my wife, Saysong and I in this project, along with many-many other contributors you will meet as the project moves forward. Chad and Melonie are raising their children in Rockford, are strong in their faith and love the idea of giving kids a space to have a good breakfast and hear the word of Jesus.
This will be a community project. We look forward to growing together.
Steve Berhow
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