By James Menaker | Executive Director
Summer is usually a sad time around Joel's Place. The kids are off having fun other places, the staff are bored and the bills are piling up. In spite of the sunlight, summer is usually the darkest time for the youth center in both activity and mood.
But not this year.
The transformation began last year as we paved and fenced in our parking lot, allowing us to have a usable (and skateable) outdoor area. Fairbanks Youth Sports donated funds to purchase some high qualtiy mobile ramps. Volunteers came by to build ramps or work in our garden or set up our basketball and volleyball courts. We set aside times for kids to ride their scooters. This year we received generous contributions from Conoco Phillips and the Fred Meyer Foundation for the express purpose of offering free skating to the youth of our community for the summer. The awards cover what we would have earned by charging our normal rates for membership and skate lessons; since we are receiving the money from elsewhere, we can offer everything at Joel's Place for no money at all!
The response to this program has been tremendous. Meals served have increased by 48% from this time last year. Our park usage has increased 254% from last year. Kids play inside, they play outside, they paint things, they play games, they learn job skills and life skills. We are not only busier than during a normal summer; we are also busier than several of our winter months during the school year.
Later on this summer we will be putting on "Joelstock," a 10 hour music festival right here on the grounds as we continue to celebrate summer at Joel's Place. Our ride team will be touring the state in late July and we will be hosting a booth at the fair in early August before diving into the new school year.
This is an epic summer we are engaged in. A summer full of kids and crashes and laughter and new opportunities. It is the best form of chaos to be surrounded by and we are here because of your generosity and support. Thank you for your generosity and encouragement as we move forward.
Looking forward to many, many more epic summers,
James
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