Jason Thompson, area director for NG3, left, enjoys some time with freshman NorthWood football players Troy Cutter, Aidan Bujalski, Ethan Evers, Garrett Ellis and Kaden Lone. The faith-based organization just started a program at Warsaw Community High School. (Photo provided)

WARSAW — When the doors opened on a new academic school year last month, Warsaw Community High School welcomed a new program of character development to its offerings for students.

NG3, a faith-based organization, “invests in the lives of students through intentional relationship building that involves character development, serving the community and providing an opportunity for spiritual growth. We work to connect with students of all backgrounds, cultures and beliefs, meeting them where they are, in order to bring positive change to the next generation” according to its website, www.ng3.org.

The acronym stands for “Next Generation: Character, Community, Change,” explained by the Georgia-based organization as follows:

• Character: “Character is the first pillar on which NG3 stands. No matter the background, culture or beliefs, every high school student needs to know the importance of a high moral character. NG3 strives to connect with all students and impart the significance of doing what you say, serving others and bringing change.”

• Community: “The best way for the young men and women in our high schools to understand the value of living a selfless life is through first-hand experience. NG3 strives to connect with local philanthropies, churches, individuals and programs that serve the community or are in need. Every semester, multiple times during the year, NG3 leads groups of high school student athletes in community service projects.”

• Change: “Only through meaningful relationships, based on significant and purposeful time, do we believe positive change can happen in a person’s life. As a result of these relationships, our hope is that these students will one day be better parents, spouses, employees, employers and community leaders.”

“We are starting and growing NG3 in as many high schools as we can partner with,” said Jason Thompson, the organization’s area director for Indiana. “We will reach out to any group of students: athletic teams, bands, FFA, clubs, even classroom opportunities. We will develop NG3 wherever a leader invites us.

“We conduct character lessons and leadership training and help coordinate service projects. We like to say students don’t need more programs as much as they need more relationships. So we focus on small group mentoring, not really larger groups. We might meet in the evenings or before school,” he said.

“Typically we get together to talk life and share their struggles. Then we’ll open the Bible for more discussion. We do provide a curriculum on the 20 character traits.”

Those traits are integrity, servant leadership, humility, honesty, responsibility, teamwork, courage, respect, loyalty, excellence, passion, faith, sacrifice, social media, relentlessness, self-worth, family, self-control, trust and forgiveness.

A meal is often provided at the small group meetings, which are held off-campus.

Warsaw is the fourth high school under Thompson’s charge and the first in Kosciusko County. The other three are NorthWood, Jimtown and Triton.

Thompson said, “we’re always looking for volunteers” and suggested to ways to get involved: as a character coach with an athletic team and as a mentor to lead a small group.

“We would love to be in every high school in the country,” he said.

NG3 is also looking for monetary donations to provide meals and training materials for the students. “We would also like to give a couple of scholarships a year to students who display high character and are servant oriented,” Thompson said.

To apply to be a volunteer, email Warsaw Community High School’s contact, Aaron Christenberry, at [email protected].

For more information, contact Thompson at (574) 354-0454 or [email protected].