To Know and Be Known

If I have one vision for Joel’s Place this year, it is “To Know and Be Known”.

 I long for these kids to be known, by our staff, by our community and by their peers. I long for them to be known for who they really are- musicians, artists, athletes, gamers and entrepreneurs with hearts to serve.  

And I long for them to know that there is a community that cares about them.

Most of our kids have received some kind of label:  “low-income, “foster kid”, “minority” 

 “special-needs”, or “food insecure”, and we are guilty of using those words ourselves.

Too many times we have appealed to the public to help our “at-risk youth”

Let me make this crystal clear. ALL YOUTH ARE AT RISK. 

Ask anybody that works with teens- from youth pastors to librarians.  The teen programs are the last to be funded and the first to be cut. That is the sign of a marginalized population. 

So, yes, in a sense, they are “at risk”.

I don’t like labels, and “at-risk” is a pretty worthless one, but if we have to label, I really think our mission statement nails it :

“creative, adventuresome, adrenalin-seeking youth” who need a good, positive outlet for their energy.

or how about, just “the image-bearers of God”

That is who we serve. 

They are loud, friendly, brilliant, compassionate and in perpetual motion. 

They are quick to help, and quick to complain. So yeah, basically they’re just kids.

But they are OUR kids. We know them. And to know them is to love them.

The challenge is to get the community to know them as well. 

We were blessed this week to get some coverage in the Newsminer. 

It highlighted a group our kids that have been doing service projects around town this summer. 

I was so happy to see them get recognition for the great things they’re doing! More and more, I hope to educate the community about Joel’s Place and the kids that call this place theirs. 

It’s up to us to give an accurate picture of who they are. Part of this picture is apparent in our Brand New Website! Like our kids, it’s colorful, and hopeful and gives a great snapshot of who we are, what we do and why we do it. 

I hope you’ll take a minute to check out all the great things going on at Joel’s Place. 

Blessings, Kelli