Hope for a Brighter Tomorrow

There’s plenty of criticism aimed at the teenagers of today, or “Gen Z,” as they are known. I’m sure you’ve heard it. And from my middle-aged vantage point, their culture IS perplexing. Sometimes I’m even tempted to cluck my tongue at them and bandwagon about their disparaging future. 

But then I take a closer look at them, interact with them, and I am filled with hope for them to have a bright tomorrow. That’s where “Reaching Destinations,” the preventative division of Crossroads Pregnancy Center, comes in. 

 Reaching Destinations had a productive school year (2024-2025), taking healthy relationship education into area schools, with an audience of over 1500 teens. When I tell you today’s students are on a desperate search for truth, I mean it. They are open, respectful, receptive, and grasping at any glimpse of hope. They have experienced family dysfunction, isolation, confusion, and turmoil perhaps more than any previous generation. From the platform of their family upheaval, they are ready to learn a better way.

 Our 2026 spring schedule is very full! More and more public schools are recognizing the need and the impact of the ‘Relationships Under Construction’ curriculum, a researched and evidence-based curriculum used by “Reaching Destinations.” This is a free service we offer to the schools in our communities, usually in the health classes.

When Reaching Destinations presents valuable information about sexual delay until marriage, consequences of teen sex, sexually transmitted diseases, building blocks to a healthy relationship, marriage, etc., it sometimes feels like we are speaking a foreign language.

 However, this information empowers students with facts and tools to make better decisions for their future than what has been their past. 

We covet your prayers for continued success and favor in the public schools of our four-county reach and beyond for the remainder of this school calendar and the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.  Please pray for our four certified speakers who bravely march into schools (and other unconventional settings when invited). As we approach these Gen Z’s, we represent not just Reaching Destinations, but a better WAY, the TRUTH amongst cultural lies, and keys to a vibrant LIFE. A pattern created by THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life.  We all know that He cares deeply about this generation, and so do we.  

Your prayers and donations make Reaching Destinations possible.  As we continue to grow this program and God continues to open doors, let’s hold out hope for today’s teens.  Hope for a brighter tomorrow!

Deanne Wensel,

Director of Reaching Destinations Program

You can email Deanne at  director@reachingdestinations.org