Joel's Place: Live and Unplugged: Faith-Based

Monday, July 16, 2012

Faith-Based

Joel's Place is a "Faith-Based" organization. I have been reminded of this fact several times in my first month of service. This has been a conscious, and at times costly, decision that was made from the beginning and consistently reaffirmed throughout our twelve-year history. This little title shouts to the world that we are more than just a social service agency or a fun park. We have an agenda, and anyone who has an agenda tends to make others nervous. So allow me to be clear about what our agenda is.

We want to love the young people who come through our doors as much as Jesus loves them.

I sat at my computer for another ten minutes trying to come up with more than that, but that simple phrase is everything that drives our programs and services. Jesus loves absolutely, without reservation. He looks at the dirty, uncoordinated, snot-nosed tween who self-consciously stumbles into our building and sees a masterpiece of creation filled with wonder and potential. He sees gifts and abilities, ideas and adventures, joy and laughter and compassion woven into every fiber of their being. He sees them moving into adulthood and longs for the fullness of who they are to be revealed to the world.

We strive to translate this love into action and hope that our actions trumpet that these young people are valuable and cherished. We provide food to grow the body; opportunities for service to grow the heart; activities to develop both body and mind; community to support and encourage; and fun to promote joy and laughter. That is our strategy. That is our agenda. That is what "Faith-Based" means here at Joel's Place.

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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.