Chris Woods used to be a below-average student; now he makes the honor roll.

He says he used to have a "ghetto mentality," but now he's sympathetic and compassionate. The 18-year-old once fought in the streets for neighborhood pride; now he mentors younger kids.

Young Life is a nondenominational Christian organization that hosts "Young Life Clubs," weekly parties that end with a sermon; "Campaigners," a smaller, weekly Bible study; and weeklong summer camps. Young Life is a Trinitarian ministry, meaning it makes no distinction between the love of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Young Life has chapters nationwide and internationally, and more than 100,000 kids involved get every week.

Jon Whitmer, the Young Life director at North Central High School, said Young Life is successful because it reaches out to teens.

"We really go to where kids are. We get the fact that we can't really expect kids to come to us. And so you'll find Young Life leaders at the lunchroom. You'll find us volunteering in the classrooms. You'll find us at the sports practices after school."

Legally, Young Life leaders aren't allowed to preach about religion during the school day. Kids must first choose to attend a Young Life meeting or program.

Steve Carr is the director of the Young Life program at Arlington High School. Young Life helped him turn his life around as a teenager, he said. Because of this, he believes it is critical to reach out to students who might otherwise be overlooked.

"We want to go after kids who have problems, the kid who has never gone to church. . . kids who would never even dream of it, kids who are into drinking or drugs, kids who are hurting from maybe an absent parent," Carr said. "Those are the kids we want to go after and build relationships with."

At Arlington, in particular, Young Life helps students learn to control their anger, providing counseling to those with serious family issues or at risk of being expelled.

"They taught us that the ghetto is all in our mind," said Chris. "There is no prostitute, no drug dealers, no one out there that's pushing us, that's making us go there. We do have a choice."

Precious Dullen, an Arlington student, said the program gave her hope.

"It helps a lot because people feel like they can't go anywhere because they've been living in the 'hood all their life," the 18-year-old said. "We can. We can get out, you just gotta believe in yourself."

To reach even more students, Arlington also offers "Vida Joven," a Young Life Club led in Spanish. The bottom line is that all youth are welcome.

"It's just for all sorts of people, whoever wants to be in it, can be in. They don't necessarily have to have a problem or anything," said Jose Varela, a 15-year-old at Arlington High School. He said Young Lief has helped keep him out of trouble and made him a better Christian.

At the weekly "Club" parties, fun is a top priority. Young Life members sing songs, play silly games and watch funny skits put o by junior leaders.

Meredith Katz, a sophomore at North Central High School, enjoyed the Club the times she went. Despite being Jewish, she never felt unwelcome, but is now active in Jewish youth programs instead.

"Young Life is always new and always fresh," Meredith said. "It's always a big deal."

Carr believes the fun aspect is important.

"The God that I experience wants me to have an exciting life full of more adventure and excitement than I can even imagine," he said. "And that's a picture we want to paint in Young Life."

At the heart of Young Life are the one-on-one relationships between the leaders and the students.

"I don't remember the talks at camps I went to. I don't remember the talks at the fall weekends that I went to," said Carr. "I remember the person in my life who was consistent and there every day."

John Houghton, the Carmel Young Life director, shows students they don't have to be perfect. "I want them to know that just how they are right now, God loves them," he said. "And then we can figure out the rest of it from there."

Carr believes that by showing the students his love, they can become more open to God's love.

"A kid can curse us and tell me, 'I hate God and I hate anything you have to say about Jesus.' I'll say: 'That's OK; then we don't have to talk about Jesus, but I still want to be your friend.' "

It is this acceptance and love experienced at Young Life that led Woods in his transformation to follow Jesus.

"It's like a big family. They introduce you to the Word of Christ, and it helps you with problems. It's like your guide to the right path for life. They'll never leave you hanging," he said.

Precious agreed.

"I think they bring a lot of support 'cause no matter where you are, what time it is, they'll come through for you. Regardless, they'll come through for you."