Joel's Place: Live and Unplugged: Rounds

Friday, June 13, 2014

Rounds

This month of free skating is sponsored by: The Fred Meyer Foundation

THANK YOU!!!

_____________________________________________________________

I will routinely pull myself away from my computer in order to see what is going on around the facility...check in on the staff, make sure nothing has been broken in the past hour, see what kids are up to and get a feel for how the day is going. Come with me as I give a sample of what I saw today when I was going on rounds.

First stop, the cafe. Two kids were playing scrabble. A board member was doing dishes with our kitchen intern. Our new cafe manager was serving dinner while a half dozen teens greedily scarfed the food down.
The Red Room had one kid playing the drums, five playing different video games and a fiercely competitive game of ping pong dominated the center of the room.
I walked out back and saw a couple of teens weeding our garden while others were playing in the sand pit, four were playing basketball and another five were biking/skating/scootering around the outdoor park. A local band was doing a sound check for an outdoor performance that they will be giving this afternoon.
Back inside to check with the front desk where I promptly received some messages, mail and a hard time.
Next I checked in on the music room. Three kids working on different instruments/art projects or just reading.
Finally I stopped by the indoor skate park. Lots of laughing and jumping and "oooh"ing and yelling and pointing and crashing. The two phrases that I heard most often were "Look out!" and "I'm all right!" I had to wave down a couple riders because they were being unsafe. "No it is not okay if you hold your helmet instead of wearing it." "Stop snaking!"(cutting in line)

Along the way I talked with kids and adults. Some were angry. Some were happy. Some were hungry and whiney. Some were focused and in no mood to talk. All of them were safe and off the streets. All of them are known by name here at Joel's Place. I expect to see them all next week as they continue to grow and mature and develop.

It was just rounds, but it was a great snapshot of what we do and why we are here.

No comments:

Post a Comment

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.