It was a good run...

As you read below to find out about the end of Project Hangout as we currently know it - please understand that a seed must die for other things to give birth. The lifestyle mentor philosophy lives on in the lives of those trained and many good things that Project Hangout started. Many will still continue - Like Nova-Do martial arts, coffee groups and www.FEEDtheMUSIC.net (Ryan's latest project).

Please continue to root Ryan and Jenn on by showing up to FEEDtheMUSIC and participating in the intergenerational music community that happens every month. Ryan currently has found a job working with emancipated foster youth ages 18-24.

The Story:

June, 2009

Dear Project Hangout Supporter,

From the inception of Project Hangout Ministries, we have been accountable to the stakeholders, including the donors and those we have ministered to. Under that responsibility, the Board members have maintained a code of integrity in managing the ministry. One key element has been transparency in all we do. We honor the Lord by doing so and avoid issues that may undermine our ministry or call our purposes into question. With that desire to be forthright as to the status of Project Hangout, I must regretfully announce that the Board and I have determined that Project Hangout Ministries will end operations on June 30, 2009. The reason for our decision is not unlike those currently faced by other non-profits and businesses. Since the economic downturn, the ministry has seen a drop in income (contributions) of over 40%. This has caused drastic reductions in expenditures, including a substantial cut (80%) in the salary of our Operations Director, Ryan Zeulner. Beginning last month Ryan’s work at Project Hangout was reduced to a part-time basis. Understandably, as a father and husband Ryan needs a full-time position and cannot continue at Project Hangout under this arrangement. Without someone like Ryan running the day-to-day operations, the ministry is unable to continue. It is due to this and the other effects of the economic downturn on our ministry that we must in good faith end the operation.

While we are saddened by the turn of events we are not discouraged. Over the span of eight years we have seen hundreds of kids learn of the love of Christ, dozens come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and many more turn from destructive behavior. We know that the successes at introducing the Word into the lives of these youth will not return void. It is His grace and love that has made all of this possible and it is in the same that we continue on.

To wind up the operations, we have determined that the ministry has a cash need of $8,500 for our remaining obligations. This includes back-pay owed to Ryan. I would ask you to prayerfully consider sending Project Hangout a generous gift so that we can properly meet every obligation as we close our books. If through the Lord’s provision there are any funds remaining after fulfilling these obligations, we will transfer the balance to Terra Nova Church in Irvine, California after June. This church is where Ryan is the part-time youth pastor and where he will continue his work in Lifestyle Mentoring. If necessary we will continue to receive donations after June 30th until all of the obligations are fulfilled.

I cannot begin to express my thanks for your commitment to serving the Kingdom through your gifts and sacrifices for Project Hangout. I am extremely humbled by your involvement and the impact we have had for God’s glory.

With Blessings,


Dale Hedges
Founder & President
dwhedges@projecthangout.com

Project Hangout Does Martial Arts

Nova-Do Martial Arts || The New Way of Life.

Meets every Wednesday from 4:30-6pm
Where: 7 Whatney, Irvine CA 92618
Range: All levels welcome
Age: All ages welcome
Cost: Try it out and get an info packet for more details
Sensei: German Hernandez
Why: Christ centered Martial arts to sharpen and focus your mind, body and soul.

I wanted to announce the martial art division of Project Hangout headed up by Sensei German Hernandez. It's called Nova-Do:: The new way of life // martial arts. We have taken out all the eastern philosophy and put Christ as the center of all we do. This is open to all so if you have ever been interested in learning karate - come learn with the best. German's credentials are to long to list but I can say that he did train the Govenator

First class ever of Nova-Do Martial Arts