Aug 31, 2018 3 min read

Randy DonGiovanni believes one area where churches can improve is community outreach.

“There is too much going on. Kids are dying – school shootings,” he said. “I think it’s awesome to be able to bring a voice of hope. Our culture is a mess. Nobody can get along.”

DonGiovanni, president of the Michigan-based nonprofit RandyDon Ministries, raises money in order to bring events to the inner city. His block parties include games, giveaways, food and entertainment – all for free.

“The drive that is my heart’s desire is to bring it to Washington,” said DonGiovanni, who graduated from Trinity High School in 1977.

With the help of his mother and volunteers from Central Assembly of God in Houston, DonGiovanni will host a block party from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 8 at the LeMoyne Community Center, Washington.

“It’s all on my dime,” he said. “I like to give, give, give. … It’s always a situation where God gives back times 10,000.”

An evangelist, DonGiovanni’s passion is helping youth. His goal is to lead them to church.

“I tell them about the Lord. There’s no shame in my game. I preach Jesus,” he said.

By hosting an event in Washington, DonGiovanni’s goal is to lead the youth to the LeMoyne Center, which provides afterschool and summer programs.

“Our main goal is to level the playing fields for all of our youth,” said Joyce Ellis, executive director of the center. “Randy sees our programs and aligns himself with our goals and what God has chosen us to do – give kids a chance to be successful.”

The first students to go through the center’s programs are starting to graduate from high school and college.

“People believe in the mission of the center. I’m sure everyone can see the results. But we have a long way to go. We have a lot more kids,” Ellis said. “We are very excited to be one of the venues (DonGiovanni) chose and to be able to give everyone around here an opportunity to hear his message.”

While he leaves religion out of his school talks, DonGiovanni does host assemblies in which he talks about bullying, self-mutilation, addiction and suicide.

He’s trying to save one person at a time, he said.

“I can’t preach in school, but I have a lot of follow-up,” he said.

Events like the upcoming LeMoyne Center Block Party give hope to kids and the community, he said.

“Our focus is to rescue the city and tell them about the Lord,” DonGiovanni said.

For information, visit www.randydon.org or www.lemoynecommunitycenter.org.

LeMoyne Community Center, 200 Forrest Ave., Washington

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 8

Free bounce houses, food, games, clothing, bands, face painting and more.