Stories & Community News

The Restore Board extends its deepest appreciation for the extraordinary support we received in 2025 from our volunteers, partners and donors. Because of your generous investment of time and resources, our members and their families received the services and programs necessary to move toward hope-filled futures. Within the cities of Elizabeth, Linden, Union, Rahway, and Roselle, God’s love is being shared, and new possibilities are being realized. Truly, you are transforming lives!

Celebrating Our 2025 Accomplishments

I continue to marvel at your generosity and faithfulness. Every year, we ask you to help us meet ambitious goals and, every year, your response is overwhelming. Because of you:

• Higher Education Success: Three Restore Ministries alumni graduated this year from Kean University.
• A Bridge to the Future: Three of our 2025 high school graduates have successfully transitioned into two- and four-year colleges, trade schools or the workforce.
• A.C.E. Summer Day Camp Expansion: Our Arts Community Enrichment (A.C.E.) camp experienced explosive growth, increasing from 37 participants in 2023 to 88 in 2025!

Consistent Connection: We maintained vital touchpoints for our youth during the school year:

• Mondays: In-person at the Snyder Academy, Midtown Elizabeth.
• Tuesdays: Online via Students United for Justice.
• Thursdays Discontinued (September 2025): In-person at the Miller-Evans-Logan Recreation Center, Elizabethport.
• Fridays: “Bring a Friend” nights and field trips, added October 2025.

The Vision for 2026: Meeting the Challenge

While we celebrate these victories, the challenges ahead are genuine. Our young people count on the consistency of your support. To maintain our momentum, we have identified two critical needs:

1. Sustaining A.C.E. Growth

In 2024, the City of Elizabeth graciously awarded Restore a one-time $30,000 grant, in addition to yearly support, which allowed us to double our camp size. To avoid “going backward,” we must raise $30,000 in new funds. These funds would allow us to continue growing in 2026, and ensure that the A.C.E. summer program can host 88 youth again!

2. Mission and Service

We are planning our third mission trip in 2026, which will be our first since the 2023 Mississippi trip. We aim to take a group to Philadelphia, with an estimated cost of $1,000 per person, totaling $13,000.

3. Looking Forward

The last thirty-two years were made possible because parents trust us, youth register year after year, and you, our donors, volunteer, pray, and give. Please continue to stand with Restore Ministries in 2026. Together, we are empowering our urban youth to think big, set challenging goals and find their unique paths to success.

With gratitude,
The Board of Trustees
Restore Ministries, Inc.