Thankfulness in the Midst of Change

Happy summer everyone!

​We hope this message finds you all in good health & high spirits. Congrats on making it through the strangest school year in recent history. Now that many things seem to be opening up again & moving towards some semblance of normalcy, we hope you all have some safe summer fun planned.

As for the Team here on Staff, we are doing well in the midst of many transitions of both the personal & professional types. Some of you may have already heard that June was the final month of our longtime Operations Manager Justin Talbert’s time on Staff with us here at SSYO. JT served faithfully for 8 full years here as a critical Leadership Member that greatly impacted what SSYO has grown to become. Along with his transition, my wife & I welcomed our second child/daughter into our lives on May 12th. Our Program Director Anna Jennings is currently pregnant & due toward the end of July. Our new Administrator Sierra Swanson is engaged & set to get married in September. Additionally, we are finalizing the process of bringing on a new Treasurer to our Board. Needless to say, there’s quite a bit going on here at SSYO!

But growth & change are both beautifully inevitable parts of life. As many of us as Staff are experiencing sweet growth in our personal lives, we also are realizing all of the exciting ways that SSYO is growing too, and You All are the main reason for that. Your continued prayers, love, and support were crucial in helping to ensure that SSYO remained open through this pandemic. Your financial contributions ensured we were able to pivot & adjust in order to serve the youth of South Corvallis in a way that was necessary & vital during this unique school year. Your belief & investment in the mission of “Building Strong Young Lives”, continues to be the driving force behind everything we have planned in the months & years to come.

As I pondered what to share with you all for this blog entry, I toyed with a hundred different thoughts. But only one message seemed to standout in my heart after such a crazy & in many ways difficult year. That thought is something that all of us on Staff want you all to hear clearly & often from us. And that is… “THANK YOU!!!” THANK YOU ALL for your prayers. THANK YOU ALL for your love. THANK YOU ALL for your support. THANK YOU ALL for your contributions. THANK YOU ALL for your trust. THANK YOU ALL for the priceless friendships we have. THANK YOU ALL for believing in us. THANK YOU ALL for partnering with us. And THANK YOU ALL for “Building Strong Young Lives, So That Our Community Will Thrive.” I know the holidays are usually the time when appreciation is traditionally focused on. But this message seemed fitting now. The mission of SSYO would not be able to happen, if not for the faithful & steadfast support of All Of You. So on behalf of all of us here on Staff once again, THANK YOU!!!

Much Love & GOD Bless You All.

Sincerely,
Jake Moevao

Jake Moevao

Liavaa Iakopo Moevao is known to most as “Jake.” Jake is the Executive Director here at SSYO. Prior to joining the team here, Jake served as a Youth Pastor at Calvary Corvallis & was also involved with coaching high school varsity football at both Santiam Christian & Crescent Valley. Jake is very passionate about doing family & leadership well. Outside of work, Jake loves: spending time with his wife & daughters, hanging out with family, traveling, watching sports, and having time alone to play sports video games.