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Ambassadors For Christ Youth Ministries

About Ambassadors For Christ Youth Ministries

18+

YEARS SERVING YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS



Ambassadors for Christ YOUTH MINISTRIES

Our History:

Ambassadors for Christ Youth Ministries, Inc. (AFC) is a model faith- and community-based nonprofit 501c3 organization that operates in Texas and Arkansas. It was formed in 2006 for the purpose of providing mentorship and youth development programming to at-risk, underprivileged, homeless, and displaced youth through multi-faceted culturally and linguistically appropriate service provision. Since the founding of our organization, we have expanded our efforts to serve young adults and incarcerated individuals, working to reduce rising recidivism rates and provide opportunities for a brighter future.


For 18+ years, Ambassadors For Christ has made concerted efforts to provide a meaningful framework to consistently support youth and young adults in identifying their strengths and using their skills towards personal growth, development, and success. This framework is essential to ensuring that our clients have a sense of safety, structure, belonging, membership, self-worth, social contribution, independence, and control over their lives as well as skills to develop plans for the future, set goals, and foster interpersonal relationships. Ambassadors For Christ also aims to increase individual leadership capacity through intentional projects and activities designed to enhance this skill set.

OUR MISSION

Inspire excellence and promote leadership.

Ambassadors For Christ Youth Ministries is dedicated to transforming the lives of youth and young adults through Christ-centered support, guidance, and resources that aim to inspire hope, foster transformation, and build a foundation for a brighter future

  • Reducing drug use and abuse among youth
  • Providing employment training and credential opportunities
  • Offering behavioral and mental health support
  • Delivering trauma-informed care and crisis intervention
  • Supporting education, leadership, and positive youth development
  • Strengthening connections between families, schools, and communities

Founder & Executive Director

Meet Sherrie Sams

People have different drives and aspirations, which can either make them the leader or the follower. True leaders are also good followers and come from all occupations. They are able to build lasting relationships, forge bonds, and develop trust with the people they encounter. One of those people is Sherrie Sams, who manages to succeed in her craft and, at the same time, succeed in developing and mentoring the people around her. Her position as the Founder and Executive Director of Ambassadors for Christ (AFC) Youth Ministries, Inc. allows her to sow seeds into the youth served as well as the staff she employs.

Ever since she could remember, Sams has possessed a deep love of music and the performing arts, and later discovered that this love would give her a platform in churches and schools to minister to youth experiencing issues of bullying, drugs, teen pregnancy, homelessness and abuse. She was so fueled by her passion that it gave an unquenchable drive to begin providing voluntary mentoring sessions to youth at an alternative school near her workplace during her lunch breaks that later spread throughout all of Houston, Texas. Thus, Ambassadors For Christ was born!


Since its inception, Ambassadors For Christ has become a thriving, state of the art organization that has gained national attention through the Aetna Foundation and CNN. Under her leadership, Ambassadors For Christ has touched the lives of more than 17,000 at- risk, underserved and underprivileged youth. With a total of three administrative offices in two States (Texas and Arkansas), Ambassadors For Christ operates two male and female transitional living programs for homeless young adults who are over the age of 18, as well as a Basic Center emergency shelter for homeless youth under the age of 18. Additionally, Ambassadors For Christ operates a drop in and resource center in one of north Houston’s most high crime infested areas, a domestic- victims of human trafficking (DVHT) program, a street outreach program, a young mother’s juvenile reentry program, a childhood obesity health and wellness program, a counseling and therapy program to help combat issues of mental health, trauma and substance abuse and a teen pregnancy prevention, HIV and STI awareness program. As Ambassadors For Christ embarks upon its 19th year in October, Sams has plans to expand its services yet again, to incorporate social enterprise businesses and a young offenders’ 2nd chance reentry program.

Beyond her professional work, Mrs. Sams is an avid believer in discontinuing the poverty mentality that some of our youth have unfortunately inherited. She has an unparalleled passion to shift the mindsets of at-risk youth and instill in them positivity and fortitude. Sams currently resides in Houston, Texas, is married to Kenneth Sams, and has three children. As a devoted wife and mother, she brings a unique perspective to the juggling act women face daily balancing family and their professional lives.

Ambassadors For Christ

YOUTH MINISTRIES

OUR Impact

At Ambassadors For Christ, Excellence is where we begin, not where we aspire to be. Through ongoing, data-driven program evaluation, we are continuously track program successes and refine services if needed. Testimonies from youth participants, parents/legal guardians, teachers, counselors, and others also confirm that our programs produce positive RESULTS, allowing us to not just meet, but exceed, our desired expectations.

Growth Opportunities (Project GO)

October 2023-Present

The Growth Opportunities (Project GO) initiative, funded by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, is a three-year, $2 million program awarded to Ambassadors for Christ Youth Ministries, Inc. Based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the project prepares 160 justice-involved youth ages 15–18 for the workforce through paid work experiences and pathways to more equitable career opportunities.

  • Over 100% Enrollment

    To date, a total of 178 (100%+ of the target) justice involved youth have been enrolled and were in receipt of services by AFC-GO.

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  • 165 Youth Completed Core Programming

    12 participants are currently in intake, 1 is active, and 165 have completed core activities or moved into follow-up.

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  • 117 Youth Trained | 90% Completion Rate

    A total of 117 participants received training, with 105 successfully completing their programs.

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  • 70 Postsecondary | 98 Secondary Education Participants

    Participants engaged in educational pathways, along with 64 receiving mentoring and 3 gaining work experience opportunities.

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  • 78 Credentials Earned | 72% Skill Gains

    78 participants earned credentials, and 113 youth achieved measurable skill gains.

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  • 33 Job Placements Achieved

    Participants have secured 33 job placements, with continued focus on expanding employment outcomes.

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  • 0% Recidivism Rate

    No program participants have experienced recidivism to date.

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Pathway Home 4 (PH4)

July 2023-Present

The Pathway Home 4 (Project PH4) initiative, funded by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, is a 42-month, $4 million program awarded to Ambassadors for Christ Youth Ministries, Inc. Based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the project provides workforce development and reentry support for transitioning and formerly incarcerated adults ages 18 and older, helping participants prepare for employment and successfully reintegrate into their communities.

  • 159 Participants Received Work Readiness Training

    By the end of the quarter, 159 clients completed work readiness training, while others engaged in education and mentoring opportunities.

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  • 170 Full-Time Job Placements | $15.56 Avg. Wage

    Participants secured 170 full-time jobs with an average hourly wage of $15.56.

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  • 64 Credentials Earned

    Participants obtained industry-recognized credentials through program training and development.

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  • 267 Participants with Skill Gains | 66% Rate

    A total of 267 participants demonstrated measurable skill gains through documented progress and training milestones.

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Transitional Living Program (TLP) Houston

October 2022-September 2025

The Transitional Living Program (TLP), funded by the DHHS Administration on Children, Youth, and Families – Family and Youth Services Bureau, is a three-year, $750,000 program awarded to Ambassadors for Christ Youth Ministries, Inc. Based in Houston, Texas, the project supports 50 runaway and homeless youth ages 16 to under 22 by helping them transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency through stable housing, education and employment opportunities, supportive connections, and social-emotional development.

  • 100% Advanced Educational Goals

    All participants improved their self-sufficiency in pursuing and advancing their education.

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  • 100% Improved Employment Readiness

    Participants strengthened their ability to obtain and maintain employment.

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  • 100% Strengthened Money Management Skills

    Clients demonstrated improved financial literacy and budgeting abilities.

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  • 100% Improved Daily Living Skills

    Participants developed stronger independent living and life management skills.

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  • 100% Increased Community Participation

    All participants improved their ability to actively engage in their communities.

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  • 78% Secured and Maintained Employment

    The majority of participants successfully found and sustained employment.

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  • 100% Transitioned to Stable Housing

    All exiting participants moved into safe and stable housing.

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  • 100% Established Supportive Adult Connections

    Every participant reported having at least one healthy, supportive adult relationship.

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  • 100% Improved Overall Health

    Participants reported improvements in both general health and mental well-being.

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Transitional Living Program (TLP) Arkansas

October 2022-September 2025

The Transitional Living Program (TLP), funded by the DHHS Administration on Children, Youth, and Families – Family and Youth Services Bureau, is a three-year, $600,000 program awarded to Ambassadors for Christ Youth Ministries, Inc. Based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the project supports 30 runaway and homeless youth ages 16 to under 22 by helping them transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency through stable housing, education and employment opportunities, supportive relationships, and social-emotional

  • 100% Experienced a Safe Living Environment

    All participants reported living in a safe and supportive environment while in the AFC TLP program.

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  • 100% Advanced Educational Goals

    Participants strengthened their self-sufficiency in pursuing and advancing their education.

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  • 100% Improved Employment Readiness

    Clients enhanced their ability to prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment.

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  • 100% Strengthened Money Management Skills

    Participants demonstrated improved financial literacy and budgeting skills.

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  • 100% Improved Daily Living Skills

    Clients developed stronger independent living and life management abilities.

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  • 92% Secured and Maintained Employment

    The majority of participants successfully found and sustained employment.

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  • 100% Built Supportive Adult Connections

    All participants reported having at least one healthy, supportive adult relationship.

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  • 100% Improved Overall Health

    Participants reported improvements in both general and mental health.

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  • 100% Transitioned to Stable Housing

    Every participant moved into safe and stable housing upon exiting the program.

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Project Shift (OVW)

October 2021-September 2024

OVW – Project SHIFT, funded by the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, is a three-year, $500,000 program awarded to Ambassadors for Christ Youth Ministries, Inc. Based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the project provides community-based prevention, intervention, treatment, and response services for 350 youth ages 12–18 who have been impacted by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

  • 112% of Enrollment Goal Achieved

    The program surpassed its target, enrolling more youth than originally planned.

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  • 100% Improved Healthy Relationship Skills

    All youth participants gained knowledge, skills, and behaviors that support healthy relationships.

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  • 93% Increased Peer Support & Bystander Awareness

    Participants strengthened their understanding of peer support and the role of bystander intervention.

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  • 91% Increased Resistance to Dating Violence

    Youth developed stronger awareness and resilience against dating violence and sexual coercion.

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  • 85% Improved Self-Regulation Skills

    Participants demonstrated growth in decision-making skills, conflict resolution, communication, problem-solving, and emotional management.

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Today, there are more than 17,000 people touched by Ambassadors for Christ Youth Ministries. We provide multi-faceted youth development programs for at-risk, displaced, and underprivileged youth. Our impact goal is to give hope, encouragement, and better equip the youth for success in life.

Partnerships & Trainings

Success of Ambassadors For Christ’s programs is determined in great measure to strong partnerships and collaborations. Ambassadors For Christ has extensive experience coordinating with various community partners such as the federal and local government, law enforcement, nonprofits, and other service providers to assure the ability to serve our program participants.

Ambassadors For Christ understands that continued training is needed among service professionals to close service gaps and ensure coordinated service provision in underserved communities.

That is why we are committed to hosting quarterly workshops and trainings that consist of educating professionals on trauma-informed care, strengths-based approaches, client confidentiality, victim safety and autonomy, outreach and referral methods. Please contact us at info@afcyouth.org to find out how your company or organization can enroll.

CONTACT US

Guiding principle & Faith-based practices

We believe…

… that God is the creator of the universe creating both of the seen (physical) and the unseen (spiritual) realms and that God the creator is also the giver of life. We believe the Holy Bible is God's word Personally spoken by God for mankind for the purpose of revealing who He is and it is without error in all issues to which it speaks. We believe in the Triunity (Trinity), one God in three Persons, consisting of Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit. We Believe Jesus Christ is Divine God who came from Heaven to mankind as a man yet retaining the Divinity of God and who while living a sinless life was rejected and betrayed by man to be crucified and die on the cross yet not to remain dead but to Resurrect the third day in accordance with His Everlasting Divine life. We believe that the death of Jesus on the cross provided complete atonement for all the sins of the world therefore cleansing those who choose to be cleansed from their sin to then receive the Holy Spirit and by receiving the Holy Spirit becoming "Born Again" and being Born Again becoming children of God. Children in the family of God and as children in a personal relationship with their Father who is God above all and as children also inheritors in the Heavenly Kingdom of Jesus the kingdom that is without end. We believe that Jesus is the judge of all of mankind's thoughts, intentions and actions and that He is just and wise in His judgment. As judge, Jesus will judge the unjust to everlasting condemnation while to the righteous He will give of His life, His gifts, and His glory. We believe Jesus physically rose from the dead, was seen by and interacted with many eyewitnesses including the Disciples and Apostles and that Jesus has now ascended back into Heaven where He originally came from. Jesus is currently seated in Majesty, Power and Authority alongside the Father and He is now accessible to us in both Prayer and Fellowship.

Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9

Ambassadors For Christ’s

Management Team

Employment Opportunities