In April of 2012, Dr. J came to Omaha, on his own dime to view property to determine the possiblity of his RAW DAWGS Youth Corps Gang Prevention Program in Omaha and confirm his partnership with Compassion In Action. He viewed the property, spoke to an Urban Plunge Volunteer Mission Group that was in Omaha at the time, in the vacant building and determined, the location was a go. When he left, I Teela Mickles, founder and CEO of Compassion In Action proceeded to secure the property with nothing but a prayer, trusting in God to make a way.  In 2013, we signed a lease to own agreement with the owners of the property where we expanded our services to persons in prison and familites affected by incarceration.  In addition, with the material given to us directly by Dr. J, we attempted to establish his gang prevention program in Omaha, NE as he instructed us and oversaw our progress.  Then in an instant, he was gone.  My heart was broken and for a moment, I felt abandoned with a project that was his own and difficult for me to proceed without him.  However, God knew that I could be trusted with anything that was His plan and I would be faithful to believe if God started it, he would finish it.  Several weeks after Dr. J passed, I received an unexpected financial gift of $90,000 for my organization which was confirmation for me that we were to proceed since Dr. J had given us the okay to begin the program in this new location and we are still here today.  The Omaha RAW DAWGS Youth Corps Gang Prevention has been operating successfully under the leadership of my own grandson, Commander Lucas Mickles and Dr. J's legacy is alive and well in Omaha, NE.

Dr. Jennings came to Wyoming, Michigan to help the communtiy address violience issues that were caused by teenage gangs. There had been several drive-by shootings and much gang activity. Mayor Sheets of Wyoming asked me if I knew a speaker who could come and help with these issues. I had used Dr Jennings at other schools in Grand Rapids and knew he would do a great job. After a community collaboration was developed he came in November 2007, February 2008 and May 2008. He spoke to over 50,000 students and 1000's of others in  assemblies, community forums, meetings, jails, youth centers and churches. He forever changed the direction of the city. He always gave a teddy bear to a girl he felt needed it in each assembly. One morning we were hurrying to an assembly and he said "John we need teddy bears". We stopped at a Walgreens and I think bought the whole inventory. I have scheduled many speakers over my 15 years of youth outreach but I have never met anyone who could reach into the heart of student with his love as well as challenge a community to invest in their youth as Dr. Joseph Jennings. I miss you my brother but will see you someday to review again all that God has done!