transitions

The Garfield Neighborhood: A Community in Transition

If you were to stroll down 11th Street, between 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 between 1883 and 1942, spanning several
decades and showcasing various styles of
architecture.
Many homes within Garfield have been restored (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, neglected ones.

Spooner Court, established in 1926

While I dont 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 renovated 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, historic, and close to downtown.

One of the sidewalk features: Aim Rights house

Phoenix, along Roosevelt Row, which borders or is part of the Garfield neighborhood. Weve already observed our Aim
Right demographics changing. Rising numbers of youth who attend our programs actually live just outside of the Garfield neighborhood, a few miles to the east or south.
Theres a big word for what is happening:
gentrification.
Gentrification occurs when a downtrodden
urban area undergoes outward transformation, with middle or upper income classes
purchasing and renovating properties. Gentrification does bring obvious positive results
to a community; crime goes down, and property values go up. Yet theres another aspect of gentrification that will be the focus of
the rest of this article: the poor. As gentrification unfolds, the poor in a neighborhood
are typically displaced.

By Amy Unrau
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, overabundance of food, prosperous ease, and
idleness were hers and her daughters; neither 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

A tastefully restored and landscaped home

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 gentrification?
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 neighbors, 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.

A recent study revealed that the most expensive apartment rents in the Valley are no
longer in Scottsdale, but rather in downtown

1. Mike Sunnucks, Downtown Phoenix, Roosevelt Row

Replace Scottsdale as Most Expensive Rental Markets,
Phoenix Business Journal, July 29, 2015.

Ending Well

By Darrell Bacher

Endings are meant to be fullfull 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, experiences, 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.

1993
1999

2005

Even though this ending is painful in some ways, especially releasing the significant relationships 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.

2014

Amidst the mixture of emotions is

2009
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, volunteer, 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!

The Bacher familys new home will be in North Carolina, near Julies parents.
Please pray for them as they make this significant transition. Current Teen
Ministry and Intern Director Caleb Reed will become Aim Rights Executive
Director on January 1, 2016, and Darrell will continue in an advisory role as
part of Aim Rights Board of Directors.

2001

2004

From the Archives

Dear Darrell Bacher,
Hey! Whats up? Nothing much here.
You dont know me, but when you came
to Adobe Mountain, I was in the audience.
You gave me your card: Aim Right Ministries. On your card it says helping youth
find direction in life. I have found God,
and I talk to Him every night. Its wonderful, but I still need help to understand
what He says. Ive read the whole Bible.
It was very interesting, but in some ways I
didnt understand. So Im 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.

2011

2007

Your friend,
Ronald Rollins

1998

2009

A VisionA Youth Center

(from a 1993 newsletter)
Aim Right has a vision to be more effective 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 servant, reflecting the heart of Jesus, because
of what you have received from Him!
- Darrell Bacher

2013
2008

Contact Us
Mailing Address:
1013 North 13th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006

Phone: (602) 462-1987

E-mail: info@aimright.org

Follow Us
Website: aimright.org
Blog: aimright.blogspot.com

Facebook: Aim Right Ministries

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 tutoring, 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 evangelized 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.