John saw beauty where others saw blank space, community where there was none, and a future that required patience, investment, and belief.

Building Colleton River didn’t happen overnight. It took careful planning, faithful investment, and a commitment to walk the long road of development—laying foundations, building infrastructure, and creating a place where people could truly belong.

In many ways, that’s exactly what happens every day through YoungLives.

When a teen mom arrives at camp—often overwhelmed, uncertain, and carrying the weight of broken expectations—her life can feel like that same undeveloped landscape. Jakayla is one of those moms, “Society doesn’t look too fondly on teenagers who make mistakes, and in YoungLives, your mistakes are your blessings.” For Jakayla and moms like her, this isn’t the story she imagined. She may feel isolated, judged, or abandoned. But where the world may see limitation, YoungLives sees possibility.

Sandi and John Reed experienced this firsthand:

“I’ll never forget the first time I walked onto camp and saw a sea of strollers—realizing there were so many young moms and children about to encounter Jesus, some for the first time.”

But the story doesn’t end when camp is over.

Just like developing a community requires year-round investment—not just a groundbreaking moment—YoungLives is built through consistent, relational presence. Mentors walk alongside teen moms every week, entering into their real lives with faithfulness and care. They help young mothers grow in their faith, navigate everyday challenges, and begin to see themselves as leaders—women with purpose, influence, and a future.

Over time, these relationships become the foundation. Confidence is built. Faith takes root. And many of these young moms begin to lead—impacting others in their communities and modeling a different path for the next generation.

Just like Colleton River, YoungLives is built one relationship at a time. Volunteers step into the “ground level” of a young mom’s life—offering mentorship, community, and the truth that her story is not over. In fact, it’s just the beginning of what God can build.

Both require faith in what’s not yet visible.

Both require people willing to invest before the outcome is fully realized.

And both result in something beautiful: a place where life flourishes.

Sandi and John see that connection clearly. Their heart is not just to admire what has been built—but to invest in what is still being built in the lives of young families around the world. That’s why they support YoungLives wholeheartedly, through both volunteering and generosity.

Today, as YoungLives celebrates 35 years of ministry, it is reaching more than 35,000 pregnant and parenting adolescents in 33 countries (including right here in Bluffton/Hilton Head)—evidence of what can happen when people say “yes” to building something that matters.