Jim Redwine, Texas-Arlington ’82, has remembered two important lessons from his Phi Delta Theta experience with the Texas Kappa Chapter—the value of brotherhood and never forget to give back. For 27 years, he has served as a youth minister to thousands of children ranging in age from one to college-age. He instills inclusion, provides an extended family, and builds structure for many in young boys in the Fort Worth area. Every Phi Delt lesson Brother Redwine learned at college—discipline, leadership, mentoring, community service, athletics, academics, direction, and goal setting—is being passed on to the kids that show up to the Thursday Boys he founded in 1990 and has been faithful to ever since.
Like a collegiate chapter, his kids experience their first true bond with dynamic and diverse peers. Tolerance and unconditional acceptance are early lessons to help these children bursting with unique gifts and talents get along with each other and work together.
Redwine, a contractor by day, spends 24/7 ministering to kids and loves to watch toddlers grow into responsible, well-rounded adults. “My Phi Delt experience taught me to recognize and maintain a bond with people, and to use my stamina to serve and uplift them. And having a role in validating and sharing in another’s life, especially a child’s, is an investment that is never wasted,” emphasizes Redwine.
The Thursday Boys ACA Award (Academics Citizenship Athletics) is the highest award given to its members, again, much like the Texas Kappa Chapter sought to promote excellence in the same ideals.
“I have had the privilege of meeting a young man in elementary school, working with him for several years every Thursday afternoon, and eventually having the great opportunity to write a recommendation to Phi Delta Theta for this man,” said Redwine.
Jim sends 5,000 or more communications to alumni and kids in the program with the signature Yours for the Children (YFTC) and In the Service of Others (ISOO). Early lessons continue to influence Jim Redwine.
For more information about The Thursday Boys, visit http://www.thethursdayboys.org/about/
