My First Month

     One of the most popular summer activities around Fairbanks is floating down the Chena River.  The Lower Chena is basically a nap on the water: the river is slow and wide with easy turns and the safe landings for miles.  The Upper Chena, while not incredibly difficult, has portions that require some attention and skill.  There are shallows that will high-center your craft and sweepers that will knock you out of the boat.  Different parts of the river run at different speeds and, if not navigated properly, will turn you around and leave you unprepared for the next challenge.  It is a fun float but if you are in a craft with young, inexperienced partners it is easy to miss the fun of the river because you are absorbed with the next challenge.
     I just completed my first month on the job here at Joel's Place.  That was the fastest month in my life.  Seriously...I blinked and all of the sudden I was transported from the end of June to the end of July.  I am not sure if that is a good sign or not, but I am in shock that I have already been here for over 30 days.  I am struck by how much I have learned and how much I still do not know.  I am assured that this feeling will fade...eventually.
     I wanted to share my initial impressions of my time here...a 30-day assessment, if you will.  I wanted to pull the boat to the shore for a moment to look at where we have been before jumping back into the raging current.  So allow me to share some observations:

• First and foremost:  The staff here are incredible.  Every single one of them.  They are excellent at their jobs.  They love the kids who come through here.  They are each quick to laugh and eager to listen.  We were a month late in paying their salaries and there was not one complaint, not one angry word, not one passive-aggressive comment to express disgust.  They continued to pour themselves out for the young people who showed up here this summer and trusted that God would provide for their needs.  They have answered my questions and heeded my input.  They are quite simply the best team I have ever been a part of and I am deeply honored to be included in their ranks.
• The kids and the noise.  They are really interchangeable.  This building is filled with the sounds of kids being kids.  Video Games, skateboarding, movies and laughter echo continuously.  The youth love this place.  We have to kick them out every night.  They love playing and eating and simply having someplace to belong.  Right now there is an older teen who is skateboarding with a twisted ankle, pulled muscles and a broken rib...and loving every minute of it.
• We have great favor in the community.  Everyone, literally everyone I have met has told me how great Joel's Place is and how much they appreciate our presence in the community.
• It is busy around here:  BMX sessions, lessons, arts and crafts, gaming, concerts, meals, parties, skateboard sessions, AmeriCorps activities, work crews and community service, grant writing, gardening.  There is a constant stream of youth and adults that flows through our doors.
• We are a community resource that needs to grow its community support.  Joel's Place has been in financial crisis all summer.  Some was expected.  Some was not.  Once we get through summer, our budget will be almost balanced but we will still be behind on our mortgage payments and some other bills.  We have been able to increase our programs through utilizing grants and government programs, but it is time to increase our stability and sustainability through local partnerships.  I envision working with local schools to build after-school programs; hosting church youth group outings; developing our Interior donor network; and growing community ownership in the work of loving our youth.

     As I dive back in, just allow me to say that I am so grateful for where I am and what I get to spend my days doing.  I have the deepest respect for Mike and Linda Setterberg who poured out their lives to see this dream come to life.  I have size 13 feet, but they have left me large shoes to fill.  Thank you all for your prayers and support.  Together we will see the youth of Fairbanks transformed.