Joe Schworm
For several years there had been a tugging on my heart to serve at Youth Venture. You see, I can identify with many of the young people that come to Youth Venture. My parents had divorces when I was only three and there plenty of disappointments and hardships growing up. I remember when I was 9 years old I would stand in line in the hot sun with mom feeling ashamed to receive welfare commodities – there were no food stamps then.
I started volunteering at the Lakeside center when it first opened, but had to quit when my wife, Sheila, became ill and I was needed at home. I wasn’t able to give my time, but I hoped some day to be able to give financially to support Youth Venture.
For many years I wanted to start my own business and finally it happened. God granted me my desire. I was able to open J&S Restaurant Services Inc. Right away, Sheila and I decided to give back to God by financially supporting Youth Venture.
It was not until last week that I realized something quite amazing. Something I had forgotten from some 40 years. The doors, from which we stood collecting our food, were the same doors I tore down recently to enlarge my business. You see, the building my business is in is the same building where I stood as a kid with my mom. The same place that once caused me shame and embarrassment now brings me joy and pride.
I now give to Youth Venture helping kids in my community though my business. Money was something we didn’t have as a kid, but now we are able to give from our abundance. God took a low point in my life and turned it into good. I have to believe He knew all along I would walk through those doors again, this time in victory.
Every member of our family has served at Youth Venture in some way. Youth Venture provides a safe, fun, family-type atmosphere where kids can hang out and learn from real people who they really are in Christ Jesus. Our desire is to see a change in the youth of our community. It’s not a burden; it’s something we just do.
Joe Schworm and his wife Sheila have helped Youth Venture over the years in many ways along with their three children, Jesse, Cody and Stacy. Their business, J&R Restaurant Services Inc. is located in Lakeside at Woodside Ave. and Wintergardens Blvd.