During these past few months we have had much to be thankful for here at Agape for Youth, Inc.! As I have shared, the past few years have been quite challenging to non-profits, and Agape has been no exception. We have come together as a team, met these challenges head on, and weathered these storms of the past years.
Our ship is upright and sailing!! We have added new staff, we continue to be given opportunities to serve youth and families, continue to build our Youth Council, and most recently have established one of the strongest leadership team of administrators in our history.
Agape staff and foster families remain second to none!! They are focused, centered, and driven to “serve with excellence”! Together, we have embraced the principles of Strength Finders, and as an administration we are growing together in the Strength Based Leadership model of this initiative.
Agape continues to be blessed with opportunities such as having been named the local charity for the ClubCorp annual event held at the Dayton Racquet Club, along with receiving grants through the Dayton Rotary Foundation, and the Care Source Foundation. Earlier this year, we were selected as the charity for the Back to Health Center 5k Run, and also continue to be the recipient of the semi-annual food drive sponsored by Dr. Van Merkle at Back to Health that has benefited our reunification families.
The generosity of our Sponsors has been overwhelming to say the least! Thanks go out to Anthem, Vectren, Horan and Associates, WesBanco, Matt Scarr, PNC, SouthBrook Church, and Key-Ads for their continued generosity and financial support.
“Agape Strong” and Strength Finders 2.0, both initiatives being the mindset of Dr. Pam Gulley, our Development Coordinator here at Agape, are becoming a cornerstone to the future foundation of Agape.
I have had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside Dr. Gulley for over 10 years. Dr. Pam has served as a trainer, consultant, advisor, and those who know her, “an entertainer” always leaving us laughing and uplifted, at Agape. She has also become a close friend to me, and to my family. It is with mixed emotions that I announce Dr. Gulley’s retirement as the Development Coordinator with Agape. Dr. Pam’s home base is Columbus, and her private practice has grown to a place that it requires her full attention. Please know Dr. Pam, while absent from the day to day operations of Agape, will not be gone totally from Agape. Look for a return and very special engagement next year.
This past week, as Dr. Pam gathered her belongings on her final day, we reflected on some great memories she has had here at Agape. Once again, she moved me to tears. Not tears of sorrow, tears of joy, (actually from the laughter) that we have been so very blessed to know and work with this wonderful professional. Never one to say good-bye, (neither am I), she departed saying “see you soon”
It’s a good day here at Agape, and in the spirit of Dr. Pam, “see you soon”.