An Outsider’s Take on the Youth Outreach

As the administrator for SouthSide Community Church I would occasionally interact with the staff at the Youth Outreach pre-COVID (fun fact: we share the same building space but we’re different organizations). Several months ago the aftermath of COVID really did a number on me and I was in a bad place mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as I’m sure many of us were.

Pictured from the left are Sierra, Anna, Ashley, Taylor, and Jen. Back in September 2021 Jen joined us for our Team Training Week. She sat in our leadership and personal development seminars and observed how we implemented strategic planning for the upcoming school year.

Jake from SouthSide Youth Outreach extended numerous invitations to me to join his team in leadership training, team meetings, board meetings, and even just one-on-one meetings. Partly to develop working relationships with the YO and partly because I was in a rough place, I took Jake up on his offer and saw an amazing thing: healthy, stable people working together to achieve their common goal using shared values (even in the midst of a global pandemic). It’s been a breath of fresh air to be around the YO staff and to glean from them tips on developing culture, leadership, and community partnership. 

What I would like to say to all of the staff at the Youth Outreach is a heartfelt “Thank you.” Thank you for inviting me and including me in your team, even though I’m not on your staff. Thank you for showing your commitment to your mission through words and actions. Thank you for truly believing in your values of collaboration, excellence, humility, integrity, family, advancing Christ’s kingdom, grit, and innovation by upholding and practicing all of these. Thank you for the smiles, laughter, food, and camaraderie.

​Thank you, Jake. Thank you, Sierra. Thank you, Anna. Thank you, Ashley. Thank you, Taylor. You guys are the real deal. I may not be a “young” life, but you all helped to rebuild a strong life in me so that our community will thrive. 

What I would like to say to all of the supporters of the YO is thank you too, but also to let you know that your investment is not returning void. From the outside looking in I see a healthy, godly team that is genuine in what they profess and endeavors to make wise decisions. I foresee SouthSide Youth Outreach having a greater impact in the lives of kids (and even adults) and building a healthier community here in Corvallis.

​My experience is just one example.

Jennifer B.
Operations Assistant
SouthSide Community Church

Guest Writer: Jennifer Branson

Jennifer is the featured SSYO blog author for this month. She is the Administrator for SouthSide Community Church, which shares the building with SouthSide Youth Outreach.