Joel's Place: Live and Unplugged: (Old) New Kid On The Block

Friday, June 19, 2015

(Old) New Kid On The Block

Hi, I'm Kelli Boyle,
If you follow this blog, then you probably already know that James Menaker has moved on to *greener pastures, and I am the new Executive Director.
You also may or may not know a few things about me:

Fairbanks born and raised
Married to my best friend, Andrew, for 25 years
2 grown kids, who continue to inspire me
26 years working with kids in Fairbanks
8 years at Joel's Place , as a parent, volunteer, board member, or employee- in that order.

All of these "about me's" are part of the reason why I am so passionate about the kids and staff at Joel's Place Youth Center.
My husband and I both grew up here, and we said the same thing that so many kids still say now:
"There's not enough things for teens to do in Fairbanks!" Which can be disputed, but is also kind of true.
Organized sports, music, dance and arts are plentiful in Fairbanks, but because of financial, transportation, or family commitment barriers, they are out of reach for many kids.
Those barriers don't change the fact that kids need safe places to go, with fun things to do.

Joel's Place is the answer.
It is.

Most of our activities are free, and our skate park fees are kept as low as possible.
We are open when it's needed most - In the summer, we are here for kids whose parents are at work during the day. They don't need a babysitter, but they don't need to be left home alone all day either.
They need a fun, safe place to play basketball, or video games, to get fed a healthy meal, to skate, scoot, or bike, to play music, create art, or have water fights.
In winter, we are open weekdays and Saturdays into the evenings for all the reasons above and to help with homework, and let kids burn off their energy from **sitting still and being quiet at school all day.

Where many public spaces only offer "No Skateboarding" or "No Loitering" signs, we offer just the opposite. We say "Come on in, run around, get loud, get messy, hang out with us, and stay awhile."
If you've never been to Joel's Place, or you haven't been in awhile, I invite you to come meet our amazing, loud, messy, creative young people. I invite you to be a part of what we're doing.
Hope to hear from you soon.

In Christ,
~Kelli

*James is now working at Morningstar Ranch. I'm pretty sure they have pastures

** Unless sleeping, Joel's Place kids are never actually still or quiet

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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.