Joel's Place: Live and Unplugged: Mr. Begich Goes to Joel's Place

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Mr. Begich Goes to Joel's Place

Senator Begich came to visit us at Joel's Place. He received a short tour, talked with us a little bit about the importance of investing in youth and gave us the following document from the Congressional Record.

It reads like this:

Mr. Begich:

Mr. President, today I would like to recognize the 15th anniversary of the founding of Wellspring Revival Ministries in Fairbanks, AK. In 1998, Michael and Linda Setterberg recognized the need for more youth activities in the Fairbanks area and set out to do something about it. In 1999, the Setterbergs opened Joel's Place, a place for young people who needed somewhere to belong.
                 It began with a weekly youth group meeting but it grew to be something much bigger. Today, relying on volunteers, grants and charitable contributions, Joel's Place is open 6 days a week with a concert hall, cafe, a garden, and sports activities including the only indoor skate park in Alaska. Joel's Place works with local school counselors and is a National Safe Place, offering shelter and counseling.
                Part of the success of Joel's Place is due to partnerships with other local nonprofits and national foundations, as well as State and local governments. Federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture provide support for the organization's Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program, which ensures that low-income children receive nutritious meals.
               The power to keep the program going comes from the passion and devotion of the founders of Joel's Place, the professionals who run it, the board of directors who oversee the organization and the volunteers who give their time. I give my congratulations to the people who make Joel's Place go, and I look forward to hearing about their continued success.
                                                                                       Mark Begich

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Giving

If you would like to become a financial partner with us and support the work of Joel's Place, here's how:

1.) To make an online donation:

2.)Mail us a check at P.O. Box 83584, Fairbanks, AK 99708

Or

3.)Call our front desk at 452-2621 with your credit card information. Our official hours are Mon- Fri, 12pm-6pm , but there is usually someone by the phones from 8am on.

And

4.) You can link your Fred Meyer Rewards card to Joel's Place at this link. Every purchase on your card increases the Fred Meyer Foundation's annual donations to our organization.

Thank you for your encouragement and support.

From the Staff

Leah Byam, Program Assistant

On Sunday after Church a group of us went to Subway to eat lunch. When we get in line it's very busy, so we wait patiently in line. As I'm waiting in line I see CS, a young man who has been coming to Joel's Place for a very long time. He's working behind the counter. He's assertive, polite, taking peoples orders, and going on to the next costumer giving them kindness and the same professional service. As I watch him from afar my eye's tear up. I know his past. I've walked with him on so many journeys. I love this kid so much, I am so so so proud of him. As I get closer he see's me and his face lights up. We were able to talk. He tells me that he just graduated with his high school degree, that he's still saving up, he will be going to Hawaii as planned in September to work. I was able to tell him, How proud I am of Him, and I meant it in every sense of the word.