What's In A Name - The Story of Jairus

The name Jairus comes from a first century story that is recorded in Mark's Gospel in the New Testament.

A gentleman named Jairus, sought out the renowned healer, Jesus of Nazareth, to come to his home in order to save his dying daughter. Detained along the way, Jesus then watched as Jairus received the crushing news that his efforts to rescue his 12 year old girl were in vain.

"It's too late," he is told by a household messenger. "Don't bother the teacher anymore."

Jesus turns and speaks to Jairus and simply asks him to trust, and to not be afraid. They continue on to the sad home where the daughter lies dead in an upstairs room. "Little girl, I say to you awaken!" says the Healer. She arises and is returned to her overjoyed father and family.

We believe Jairus exemplifies an attitude of perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds. He did not give up on the life of his daughter - and thus, saw a miracle transpire.

Today, in our present society, there are countless young people being written off to be "as good as dead..." as far as any expectations for their success and value. But, in each life, a caring heart can be the encouraging source of a positive turn around.

What We Offer

The Jairus Agency works with young people, families, the juvenile court system, local community service placement sites and responsible mentors.

We are dedicated to restoring family and community life through the unique opportunities afforded by community service. This distinctive agency is helping at-risk teens through a program that connects them with meaningful volunteer jobs. The focus is not only on the work at hand however, JAIRUS emphasizes the need for mentoring associations that help transform a young person's perspective and ideals.

The Need

Today, throughout the region, many at-risk juveniles are being appointed hours for community service work. Hundreds of young people have accrued thousands of hours in penalties assigned by court judges and school administrators.

The task of finding meaningful work for these teenagers falls on parents and over-burdened probation officers. Local police departments do their best to help as well, and yet the sheer number of youths makes the job overwhelming. As a result, the hours get backlogged, parents and teens get discouraged, and the system bogs down.

In 2003, court reports indicate that an average of 169 delinquent young people in Plymouth County and Barnstable County enter the juvenile court system as new cases each month. State law requires that each transgressor pay a probation supervision fee or be remanded over to the probation department for community service responsibilities. A great majority are given community service work. The average sentence is between 20-50 hours. Incredibly, due to the difficulty in finding meaningful work and responsible supervision, the courts have sometimes waived the punishment altogether.

The Answer

The need for an agency connecting at-risk youth with mentors, and thereby arranging for responsible restitution within communities, is timely and necessary.

Volunteer service jobs must be arranged for, supervised and documented. THE JAIRUS AGENCY does just that. The documentation is provided to the courts through the Jairus Management Program (JMaP), that is accessed through our servers.

Courts are welcoming the assistance from the local level. Public school administrators have also voiced a desire to have "suspended" youths be given over to community service, instead of just being sent home for a day or more.

The public interest in seeing justice done, and recompense made, is accommodated with excellence. Many young persons that are "falling through the cracks" are meaningfully mentored, guided, and strengthened in the process of fulfilling their civic duty.

Resulting In

Clearing court cases... connecting young people with their community...aiding families in a time of need... engaging young people in positive activities.. building self-esteem by providing opportunities to serve. That's what Jairus does!

Since 2001, the Jairus Agency has handled nearly two hundred referrals from probation officers and the District Attorney's office. Over 4,000 hours of community service projects have been accomplished by these juveniles within their local communities.

Areas of service include: the local 4-H program, faith based organizations and churches, the DPW and Parks Department, the Conway House Open Roads, meals programs for seniors, community events, coaching sporting activities for the physically and mentally challenged, as well as a host of other projects with an emphasis on building transferable life-skills.

These experiences and many more have produced favorable reactions from our youth and those they have served. In the meantime, many of the participating youth have gained maturity and respect for themselves and their community

Meet The Director


Loren Decker

Jairus Director Loren Paul Decker began working with youth in the innovative inner-city program "Boston Youthtime" in 1980. That work propelled him into a national position of visibility on the syndicated radio program, Songtime USA as well as in the music industry through NewSound Inc. where he produced programs and concerts designed to target youth and families with positive messages. He brought national speakers and motivational tools to local venues, facilitating positive youth and family development through the media and through personal involvement.

Loren and his wife, Amanda presently reside in Middleboro, MA with their 5 children, (and Sam, the Cocker Spaniel) where they are active not only with the Jairus Agency, but also with Middleboro Youth Advocates, the local youth basketball league, and the activities around Jericho Christian Fellowship Church.