Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/105709
Buzz Rowe uses time with his mentee Alejandro Guzman to support the civic and religious values common to both Mexico and the United States. With Alejandro, far left, are his cousins Saul, center, and Alex Pelcastre. "One of the first things I did with Alejandro was to take him and his cousin Alex out to a cattle ranch in the spring," he said. "I took the kids to show them some baby calves." Rowe knew the experience would be a first for the boys, but he hadn't anticipated what would be the most memorable part of the trip. "There was manure in the corrals, and it had been raining," he said. "Mud and manure and two boys who were quickly stuck ankle deep. They were ecstatic!" laughed Rowe. "Mud and manure and two boys who were quickly stuck ankle deep. They were ecstatic!" —Buzz Rowe Then he took them and another cousin Saul to a bull ranch where the owner Gary Long [of G.S. Long, an industry supplier] was judging his stock for bucking potential…then to Rimrock Lake for a boating outing…then fishing…then a pumpkin-launching cannon event on a tree fruit ranch. Simple things. Important things. Things that change lives. Rowe explained that the children he works with are already fairly "dynamic," but his effort is to make them really dynamic. And by that, he means that they are realizing that they can pursue higher education, that by having goals, they can shape their lives. Like most good parents, Rowe isn't reluctant to share his own journey with these kids. "I talk to the boys about having a relationship with Jesus," he said. He realizes that they will make their own way in life, but Rowe wants to know that they will have some adult guidance. Some love. And some options. • Photo by Jim black Buzz Kid magnet teaches by example. G rowing and packing quality tree fruit in the Naches Valley of Washington State has been Buzz Rowe's profession. But as successful as he's been with produce, his calling is spiritual. Now that he has cut back on work at Rowe Farms, his family-owned orchard and packing company, Rowe has redirected his focus to children in need—primarily the children of his industry's laborers. And his charisma makes him a remarkably successful missionary for the American dream. Yakima is a small city of fewer than 100,000 residents, yet its reputation as a center for crime and gang activity bedevils the community that knows it's better than that reputation. At the Union Gospel Mission's Madison House, volunteers battle gangs by reaching out to the most vulnerable, giving children someone they can count on. Rowe doesn't have to do much reaching. He's a kid magnet. 14 FEBRUARY 1, 2013 GOOD FRUIT GROWER "I wanted to do something more than complain about our gang problems," he said. "I wanted to be part of the solution." Rowe started last winter by working with the Yakima YMCA's Aspire program, a youth group operated by the Yakima YMCA that provides role models for youth. That group had developed a close relationship with Madison House to coordinate the two organizations' efforts. Mentoring Although education and coordination with the area school district is a major component of Madison House, Rowe functions more as role model. He, like several other volunteers, has been assigned a "mentee" to work closely with as a responsible adult. Rowe does this with passion by taking his mentee, Alejandro Guzman, to area events on a regular basis, and including the boy's family when possible. T he Yakima Union Gospel Mission exists to provide Christ-centered rescue, recovery, and restoration to men, women, and children in need. The Yakima Union Gospel Mission is an autonomous faith-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves central Washington State. It is associated with other missions through the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. The AGRM organization links Yakima's mission with other organizations across the state and country that have like values and mandates to reach out and share the love of Christ to the poor, the addicted, the homeless, and the lost through practical programs that meet their needs. The Yakima mission provides a one-year resident recovery program that offers anger management, life skills training, chemical dependency counseling, job training, food, clothing, and a one-year Bible curriculum that provides a value system for life change from within. All of the services at the Yakima Union Gospel Mission include a family shelter, daily meal program, food bank, clothing/furniture distribution, medical/dental clinic, men's and women's new life programs, Madison House Community Youth Center, New Hope Catering, eLife Educational Services, distribution center, recycling center, Lost Creek Village camp and conference ground, and The Olde Lighthouse Shoppe. Each branch of the Union Gospel Mission works to serve the entire individual, feeding the body, restoring the mind and reviving the spirit through the gospel of Jesus Christ. [Content summarized from the Mission's Web site] www.goodfruit.com