Crime among youthful offenders is the most rapidly growing segment of corrections. Kairos has developed Kairos Torch to facilitate ministry to youthful offenders, ages 15-21.
The goals of Kairos Torch are: 
- To provide a safe place to the youthful offender for spiritual exploration.
- To offer unconditional love and acceptance in a Christian setting.
- To encourage the sharing of life journeys and help the youthful offender find a full life.
- To foster spiritual growth and to promote participation in the long term mentoring process which provides spiritual and emotional support in order to enhance positive self-esteem and promote constructive life choices.
These goals are accomplished through the vehicle of a weekend Christian retreat followed up by a continuing ministry that includes weekly one-on-one mentoring of the youth by Kairos volunteers and monthly group reunions with the Kairos community. The most important element of Torch is the establishment of a mentoring relationship between each of the youth and a mature, Christian Kairos volunteer. The mentoring program goes on for a minimum of 6 months or until the youthful offender is released, whichever occurs first.
The mission of Kairos Torch on the introductory weekend is to encourage the participants to remove their masks so the real person, rather than who they pretend to be, can shine forth. We create a safe environment for them to begin to show themselves and learn what life can be like in a loving, caring and trusting community. We challenge the participants to risk being vulnerable. We love them unconditionally as demonstrated by Christ. Then, it is up to them, with the help of their mentor, to begin to break through their own walls.
The mission of the weekend is also to show participants it is safe to make friends, the importance of positive support groups, as well as how to form groups themselves. Groups (as opposed to gangs) give the participants a viable option to isolation. Participants need someplace where they can be themselves and are accepted after the weekend.
In preparation for a Torch weekend, there are 5 team meetings consisting of 40 hours of required training in ministry procedures and applications. Since the team includes Kairos graduates who are incarcerated at Marion Correctional, the team meetings are held within the institution. Prayerfully consider how you may participate and/ or financially contribute to this dynamic branch of the Kairos ministry in Ohio. Annual costs run at approximately $3,000 (2001 data).
