By James Menaker | Executive Director at Joel's Place
I enjoy beginnings. I like having a blank white board in front of me with the freedom to fill it in any way I see fit. I really enjoy entering a new year and being able to say, "What will we do with this?"
2012 was a year of change. Joel's Place has new ramps, new floors, a newly paved parking lot, new staff, new programs and many new partners. Change is always accompanied by transition and a learning curve. I want to extend a special "Thank You" to everyone who accompanied us through the growing pains of this past year. You have offered support, encouragement and resources to us as we navigated through our transitions. Without you, we would not have been able to remain open. At one point this past year, we were $40,000 behind on our financial responsibilities with little relief in sight. I am overjoyed to announce that we enter 2013 with no overdue bills, a little cash in the bank and our sights set on long-term financial goals. We were able to host Preston Pollard, a professional skater, here at Joel's Place over the New Year's Weekend, free of charge to the kids. He packed out our cafe, connected with the kids, oversaw a skating competition and infused a sense of energy and momentum into the building that had been lacking for a while.
2013 will build on that momentum. We are starting to utilize the facility more, bringing in school district classes for field trips, hosting UAF events and Parkour sessions, opening the outside rec area this spring and hosting camps, clinics and classes over the summer. Joel's Place will be buzzing with activity more than it ever has before.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us through the years. If you have questions about what is going on over here or ideas about someone to contact or something we can utilize the building for, feel free to get in touch with me at joelsplacealaska@gmail.com or 452-2621.
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