Mona Davies grew up in an economically depressed and education-deprived neighborhood wherein she was a victim of crime, abuse and violence by kids and adult relatives.

"I felt trapped," she said in a letter to the editor last August. "There was no way to escape and I was too ashamed to tell anybody."

Being victimized caused deep inner wounds affecting her physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.

These crimes continued into adulthood.

"I was broken, hurting and wounded and wanted to die," Davies stated. "My life was destined for failure. Today, by the grace of God I am no longer a victim, but a victor."

She has renewed hope and joy and her family is blessed in the present and in the future, she said.

Davies and her husband, Bob, started the Community Outreach Ministry (COM) at the end of 2000.

The ministry strives to break the cycle of crime and delinquency in children of prisoners, at-risk and needy kids through fun, acceptance, consistency and raising their expectations for the future.

They began with their annual Christmas party, which later grew into offering summer camping opportunities.

On March 16, Davies will speak at the Murrieta Rotary Club meeting at the Sizzler in Murrieta to challenge the club to send children to camp.

Second through six grade students will attend camp June 22 through 26; junior and senior high school students will go July 27 through 31.

Scholarships are $250 per camper, which includes transportation up and down Big Bear Mountain, lodging, all the food they can eat, entrance fees to all off-campus activities, Alpine Slide, miniature golfing, waterslide, boating and more.

In addition to scholarships COM would appreciate volunteer staff, first aid kits and drinks and snacks for going up and down the mountain.

"[The kids] are treated like royalty," Davies added in a phone interview last week.

April 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the 2009 Children’s Fair and Egg Hunt at McVicker Canyon Park in Lake Elsinore.

Like other family and children enrichment agencies, COM will have a presence there.

The fair is one of a handful of events in Riverside County to celebrate the Week of the Young Child.

On April 25, COM will be at the Race for Humanity Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] at Mt. San Jacinto College in Menifee as well as the Rotary Workday event in the Elks parking lot in Wildomar.

COM will be present at other events throughout the year.

"We want to explain to people who we are and what we do," Davies said.

Mentors are a big part of how the ministry works.

Lindsay Hartford of Wildomar said in a recent letter to the Valley News, "Do you remember elementary school? I remember recess, holiday celebrations and teasing boys. Although there is one more memory I misplaced in the back of my mind, it was tedious projects."

Hartford asked, "Why is my recollection so skewed of this memory? The answer: my mother. How can a third grader build a Roman castle alone without the help of a parent? The truth is there are kids in your community who do not have any other option."

Hartford currently tutors a young girl named Becky Keener, who she noticed struggles with following written instructions.

At their last meeting, Becky pulled out the instructions for her next school project, which was a book report with very strict guidelines.

"I asked her about the project and her eyes filled with tears," said Hartford.

Becky told her mentor every year her school assigns the students a young author’s project.

They have to write a book report and make it special and Becky’s always ended up being displayed last because, she said, "I cannot complete the guidelines."

Hartford turned to Becky and with a smile told her this year would be different.

Mentors are role models providing opportunities to improve academic performance, social competencies, develop personal goals and expand their experiences beyond their families, schools and neighborhoods.

Public Private Ventures indicates mentored youth are 27 percent less likely to start using alcohol, 46 percent less likely to start using drugs and 50 percent less likely to skip school, reducing risk behaviors and the likelihood of the mentee’s future involvement in the criminal justice system.

COM, a 501©3, also offers emergency referral services and outreaches to victims of homelessness and poor living conditions.

They welcome mentors, summer camp scholarships, sponsors and volunteers. Visit them at www.communityoutreachministry.org, e-mail info@communityoutreachministry.org or call (951) 698-7650 for additional information.