Joel's Place: Live and Unplugged: Mind The Gap

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Mind The Gap

Last week, we had a volunteer who was visiting from England. Matt Moore helped us in the garden, worked with us on a community service project, took some great photos for us, and generally pitched in wherever needed. Thanks Matt! His visit and our conversations reminded me of my visits to that part of the world.

Getting around London is pretty easy if you use the underground subway aka “The Tube”. You will see and hear the “Mind The Gap” all over the place. I appreciate the Brits warning me not to fall to my death through the space between the subway platform and the train itself. If you’re brave enough, you can also rent a car and drive on the WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD, while navigating the never ending roundabouts.

Trust me, England’s roundabouts and North Pole’s roundabouts are nothing alike. In England, there’s and inner circle, and (thankfully) an inner-inner circle to drive around in while you’re trying to figure out which way to go. Unlike an intersection, where you better darn-well already know which way you’re going.

I often have described Joel’s Place as an intersection between the church and the “not church”. I mean it in a positive way, but after thinking it through I realize how much better it would be as a roundabout. Instead of the different parties stopping, waiting , then going their own way, we would all be in the same circle. At least for a while, we would all be headed the same direction, and perhaps some would make it to that inner-inner circle and stay awhile.

We are all about staying awhile.

At Joel’s Place, we see nearly a thousand kids each year, and we will see some of those kids for 10 years or more. While many will safely navigate through to adulthood, we know that some of our kids will fall through the cracks. We don’t want that. This is why we offer consistent mentoring, healthy foods and a positive outlet for all that adolescent energy. It doesn’t guarantee success, but it can help narrow the gap between success and failure.

If you’d like to learn more about Joel’s Place, roundabouts, or joining the inner-inner circle (but, not in a creepy, cult-like way) give me a call or stop by for a tour.

We hope you’ll like what you see and stay awhile.

Have a safe and Happy 4^th of July

Kelli

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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.