In 2019 one of our Oregon City Design Studio attendees, Elyejah, tragically died by suicide. Since then volunteer mentors have stayed close to his family, who are believers. On the first anniversary of Elyejah’s passing in December 2020 our volunteers and several local churches provided gift cards for groceries and clothing for the family and were able to spend time praying with them.
We are so thankful that our mentors and church partners have stepped forward to care for this family and be Jesus’ hands and feet to them. We ask for your prayers for the family as they continue to grieve for their son.
The Elyejah Project Is Born
Elyejah’s life inspired his Design Studio mentors James and Aaron to start their own new ministry to reach out to children who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts: The Elyejah Project. James and Aaron agreed to share a little bit with us about why they founded the Elyejah Project, and how they hope to bring the community together to support other young people who are struggling.
Meet the Co-Founders
James- I am a father of three grown children, with a fourth on the way. I own and operate a dog daycare in West Linn along with my wife, Sarah. Managing a business is similar to raising children in that it takes patience and understanding. My role at the Oregon City Design Studio is lead mentor. And as one of the founders of the Elyejah Project, my role goes beyond being a mentor. It also includes being a caregiver of my time through compassion and understanding. My faith in Christ helps me be better equipped to support the youth my team mentors.
Aaron- My 8-5 is supporting staff, students, and faculty at our local community college as well as building a Production Company Startup. My heart though is the Elyejah Project and the kids that we can reach. My volunteer role at the Design Studio is mentoring and I am happy to do that as I had mentors growing up and know firsthand how much of an impact that can have.
Oregon City Design Studio mentors hanging out (pre COVID-19) beneath a donated basketball hoop. The group, which launched in 2019 with a focus on serving boys, has since morphed into a co-ed gathering that serves both young men and women each week. Learn more about how we unite churches to prevent trafficking through youth mentoring here.
Can you share about how the Elyejah Project came about?
Aaron- The Elyejah Project came about from a conversation James and I had that I call “cloud talk.” We were discussing how cool it would be to win the lottery so we could build a community center and call it the Elyejah Center.
Sometime after that conversation when the pastor at our church specifically mentioned “If it is your dream to build a community center for the at-risk youth in your community…” we knew that God was prompting us to step out in faith. Not too much later the Elyejah project was reality.
James- December 16th is the first time I became aware of Elyejah’s passing. In fact, I learned of his death by suicide only 15 minutes before our group was to meet. Elyejah’s twin sisters also attend the Design Studio and I’ll never forget the uncertainty I felt as I navigated through the evening–all of the mentors had a tough time. Not knowing what to do or say not only to his twin sisters but the other kids who knew Elyejah was both saddening and unsettling.
Our job as mentors is to guide youth through everyday life, but Elyejah’s death was uncharted and we all felt helpless. Over the weeks that followed we decided to get training so if this unfortunate event happened again we would be more prepared and we might even prevent it from happening. When Aaron mentioned how great it would be to open a center called the Elyejah Center we simply were unsure what to do.
One day while Aaron and I were serving at our church the pastor was talking about following the dream God had planned for us (believers in general). Then he said, “…and if you want to open a center for children you should do it.” Aaron and I both leaned back in our chairs and stared at each other as if acknowledging this is something God wanted us to do. Just a few months later we started the Elyejah Project.
Can you share about the challenges kids face and the Elyejah Project’s role?
James- One of the biggest problems we face is technology. Apps like Tik Tok and Zynn are a breeding ground not only for cyberbullying but sex trafficking predators as well. Giving our youth the information they need to handle this is a top priority of the Elyejah Project. We hope to stamp out feelings of unworthiness so these kids stop looking to these apps for recognition and, instead, look to Jesus for strength by setting an example of love, compassion, and understanding. Aaron and I want these kids to know they have people on their side and they don’t need to feel unworthy.
Aaron- The fact is, there are not many resources for kids, youth, and their families to teach them that they matter, to come alongside them and pour into them.
There is also a need for more people to learn about suicide and the causes and effects of it, which is often coupled with abuse and trafficking. We want to fight until those no longer have a power or presence in our communities. Part of our mission statement is “If we can save one life or family, then that is our mission.”
Oregon City Design Studio mentors hanging out with youth during some sunny, pre COVID-19 days.
What are some of the projects you’re currently working on?
James- Project Empower is geared toward educating not only our youth but parents and caregivers of children as well. This includes virtual seminars explaining the dangers of the apps I mentioned and how to spot predators and behaviors that are unhealthy.
The Elyejah Center is another project and will be a safe place where youth can learn life and vocational skills so their decisions will be based on their own abilities instead of comparing their self-worth with others.
How can the community support your work? Are there any specific ways to get involved?
Aaron- The biggest way the community can support the Elyejah Project is to get the word out there…Word of mouth is very powerful and is still one if not the best forms of advertisement. We also will be looking for volunteers in the future. The pandemic has changed what we can do in person but we have faith that will change and we can do more community outreach events.
I would say if anyone wants to help or has any feedback please by all means reach out via the website. We understand that these battles belong to us all and the more we work together, the more we empower not just people but entire communities–and that is everyone’s “project.”
James- Hosting seminars and building the Elyejah Center take resources that include financial giving and volunteering. Ending youth death by suicide and child sex trafficking will take a community, not just two people. We need community involvement, especially mentors who are Christ centered.
To learn more about the Elyejah Project, visit their website here or like them on Facebook here.
