Purpose, part 3

In the final installment of looking at our Purpose Statement, we look at what kinds of things we hope to do and what we want to see as the end result.

"WRM's purpose is to experience God's radical, extravagant love
           And then express it in meaningful ways
                     By creating a community 
                               Where marginalized youth
                                          Can experience the love and healing presence of God."


The part of this statement that tends to generate the most discussion is the "marginalized youth" aspect.  Who are they?  What makes them marginalized?  Why not just say all youth?

First and foremost, Joel's Place is open for all teenagers, everyone between the ages of 10-20.  We don't turn anyone away or reject someone because their home life is too good.  Most of the time we don't even know who is from turbulent homes and who is from a solid family.  However, we want to be most welcoming and most attuned towards youth who have limited resources.  That is why we offer free food every day.  That is why we try to keep our prices as low as possible.  That is why we run a skate board park instead of something more lucrative.  That is why we have taken strides into the special needs community.  Having "marginalized" in this statement reminds us that there are kids who are on their own and could really benefit from just a little additional help.

"Marginalized Youth."  Marginalized youth are young people who are pushed towards the edges of society.  They are told that their opinion does not matter, their life is of little value and that they do not fit with everyone else.  Most teenagers will live in this reality for at least a little while as they are maturing.  There are some who experience it more strongly than any of their peers.  They are the 600 homeless teens that hop from couch to couch, hoping to stay off the streets.  They are the young people from abusive homes, probably double to triple that previous number.  There are the youth who are struggling with developmental delays and disabilities.  There are the artists and musicians who are trying to find their voice.  There are teens who just have not been able to connect anywhere and are weighed down by isolation and loneliness.  All these, and more, come to Joel's Place, looking for community and fun and a safe place to be valued for who they are.  Our hope is that we would create that environment and that God would give them what they are searching for.  If we have a teen who enters Joel's Place simply looking to work up a sweat while biking for two hours, may that be what he finds.  If we have a teen who enters Joel's Place looking for something more, for hope and direction and food and purpose...may that be what he finds.

This is a great place, filled with great people.  My hope, my job as Executive Director, is that we would be equipped to provide teens with the resources they are looking for, whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual.