Joel's Place 2013 in Review

     Time is a funny thing.  The seconds and minutes pass by at constant rates, never stopping or pausing before the next moment arrives...however our experience feels like time fluctuates rapidly.  Sometimes the day flies by and other times the minutes drag on endlessly.  I sit here at my desk feeling both shocked at how quickly the year has passed and also completely spent by everything that we crammed into 365 days.  I thought that before we opened up 2014 I would take a few moments to reflect on what has happened here this year and where it leaves us moving forward.

     This year has been about transition and change.  I thought about trying to make lists of the camps that we hosted or the grants that we were awarded or the money that we have raised or the staff/Board turnover that we have had.  None of that really illustrated what 2013 was for us.  Here are a few points that I view as very significant:

• Our Founders stepped away.  I wrote about this in the fall, but Mike and Linda both left their active roles with Joel's Place this year.  Their dedication to the youth in this community has been amazing.  Senator Begich even stopped by this year to honor them with inclusion into the Congressional Record.  I have heard horror stories of founders leaving and am so grateful that there has been nothing but blessings and goodwill that have come from the Setterbergs.  They listened to God's call when they started Joel's Place and have been willing to hand over their baby to others.  I hope and pray that we are worthy of that honor.
• Building Upgrades.  This year saw us finish fencing in the property, upgrade the sound system, upgrade our wireless network and weatherize the building.  We received a weatherization grant that provided 2" of foam insulation in the walls, new siding and an exterior electrical overhaul.  The building is warm and beautiful while being increasingly functional for both the youth and the staff.
• .Outstanding training by Ron and Linda Ruthruff and Rod Devore.  We as staff have a lot to chew on as we move forward.
• I received my Certificate of NonProfit Management this fall...meaning that I can no longer plead ignorance about what I am supposed to be doing in my job.  I know stuff now...sort of.
• Money has been tight this year, but I am pleased to announce that we made it through a full year without Grant support of the Financial Manager or Program Director positions for the 1st time ever.  Our capacity and sustainability is steadily growing to where we can begin to stand on our own.  I just paid our last bill of 2013 and we still have some money in the bank.
• Ramp It Up was a huge success.  The event was high quality, everyone did a great job in their presentations and those attending were extremely generous.  Thanks to everyone who helped!

     I was talking with Kelli at our Christmas Party.  She said that she came across her wish list from 2012 and was able to cross everything off it.  It has been a really good year and I am eager to move forward.

     What do we have coming up in 2014?  Mostly we will continue to roll with whatever comes along, but I know that there are some things that I have on my to-do list.

• I am wanting to create and fund a Fund Development Coordinator position.  This will be someone who helps me write grants and helps me in fundraising.
• Resolution to our Balloon Payment.  It is due in September and we will either have the building payed off or a long term solution in place this year.
• I want to upgrade our security system and do a few internal remodeling pieces to make our space more efficient and safe.
• I want to see increased building usage: concerts, field trips, meetings, rentals, etc.  This place is just better when there are people, especially young people, in it.
• Focus.  It is time to reevaluate our place within the community.  Where are we uniquely situated to serve the youth of the Interior?  What programs should we expand or cut or create?  I am excited to see what we discover.

Joel's Place has been through a wild ride in 2013.  As I look at the big picture, it seems that most of 2013 has been preparation work to equip us to move forward.  We are entering a new season and we need new tools to fulfill our mission in that new season.  I am so grateful for our partners.  You make it possible to pour resources into the youth.  Thank you for your support, your encouragement and everything that you do to propel Joel's Place along.  I am eager to see where 2014 takes us and I encourage you to come along.  The only thing I know for certain is this:

     It will be an amazing ride.