If you’re anything like the team here at Teen Feed, you’re wondering where the summer went and how it is November! Pausing to reflect is the way I attempt to keep time slowed down, and this year’s Annual Celebration is a terrific afternoon to think back on.
On Sunday, October 2nd, friends of Teen Feed gathered at the Neptune Theatre for an afternoon of updates about the work ahead and an opportunity to pledge support. News about the event can be found in our most recent newsletter.
What strikes me most about the celebration, and about Teen Feed, are how we have grown over the years but we remain true to our mission.
Four years ago at the inaugural Annual Celebration, the Teen Feed board cooked a delicious meal for a large handful of supporters in University Congregational’s social hall. We listened to the then newly-hired Will Thompson talk about his path from being homeless on the streets of the University District to housing and employment with Teen Feed. We were a mighty but small crowd dedicated to youth on the streets.
Three years ago we convened in the University Heights Center. The food was plentiful but late … we were making it ourselves in a church kitchen a few blocks away! There was momentum in the room. The seats were a little fuller. A young man we still know and love today talked about how he experienced Teen Feed.
Last year the Hillel offered up their beautiful location. Light filled the wood-floored space. There wasn’t room for all – but plenty of lunch from Leah’s Kosher Catering. Our staff had doubled. And Mythayah, a young woman featured in the documentary Kids on the Ave, told her story of moving from Teen Feed and the streets to housing, parenthood, and employment in the fire department. Her words will live on in Teen Feed history as the The Speech that left everyone in tears and more deeply committed to the youth Teen Feed serves.
This year at the Neptune, we continued to grow. Over 225 supporters, staff, board and youth ate, mingled, had their photo taken in the photo booth, and offered support to Teen Feed. When I look at the Annual Celebration photos the energy is obvious. The passion for youth is obvious. We are bigger. Our work is growing to bring Teen Feed to other neighborhoods, is growing through our volunteer’s advocacy for homeless youth, and is growing as we connect with housing providers to help more youth find safe homes.
You are Teen Feed. And there are so many more of you who care and invest in the futures of homeless youth. We will continue to grow, but we won’t lose the truth that we are able to do our work only because You Offer, You Build, and You Ally.
I’m looking forward to the year ahead. — Megan
PS) Please enjoy images from this year’s Annual Celebration…
Note: Photographs courtesy of Adrien Leavitt and Chris Unten.
