Regional Post: Western Region

All of our sites are split up into four different region teams that work year round developing relationships in communities and working out the details for the summer. This month we will be featuring all of the regions! Regional Director Kate Kramer and Area Directors Jordan Sharp and Sarah Miller comprise the Western Region. 

One of the consolations for the countless hours and days spent in planes, on the road, in the airport, and in hotels is getting to see our friends.  As a full time Area Directors, we get to work with, befriend, meet, and partner with many different people all across the US.  ‘Work’ meetings may go minutes (or hours) before anything about YouthWorks is ever addressed.  “How’s the family?” “How is life?”  and “what’s new?” are just important to us as any question related to service, housing, showers, or evening activities (ok, if we are real honest with you, the personal side is actually more important to us).  Why is this?  Because as we invite our summer staff and churches to the nineteen communities in our region, we are not introducing our business partners or coworkers, but our friends and family.  And just like when friends or family do incredible things, we are proud of our friends and what they are doing, and we want others to hear about it.  Above and beyond anything that we as Area Directors or YouthWorks as a whole does, we are proud of what our friends are doing in the communities where we serve.  With all that said, let us(Sarah and Jordan) tell you about just a few of our community friends:

Keith Lussier is a dear friend of YouthWorks in Red Lake Minnesota. Keith speaks to our church groups about Ojibwe culture including the traditional game of Lacrosse. Keith has also started the plans of a Learning Lodge in Red Lake. The Learning Lodge will be a space for the community to practice and learn traditional practices and educate young people about Ojibwe culture. Keith has a passion for giving back to his community and teaching young people about their culture. YouthWorks has been lucky enough to partner with Keith in the land clearing and upcoming construction of the Learning Lodge. Keith is incredibly knowledgeable about his culture and Ojibwe history. His enthusiasm is visible when he speaks. When I first met Keith I(Sarah) was blown away by the way he spoke and the plans he has to better his community.

In Lapwai, Idaho at our Nez Perce site we are fortunate to work with a wonderful family that truly loves their community. Leotis and Racheal McCormack give back to their community in many different ways. After going into ministry and moving to Wisconsin, Leotis and Racheal were called back to their home town. In Lapwai, Leotis and Racheal demonstrate the love of Christ in all that they do. Leotis is currently serving as the chaplain to the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee and they are extremely involved in their church. They have 6 children of their own and constantly have extra children in their home. This speaks volumes to how open and loving they are. I(Sarah) was on staff in Nez Perce this past summer and am thankful to have Leotis, Racheal, and their children as friends; they were helpful and supportive to us as staff but also took the time to get to know us as people. They are truly an asset to YouthWorks and to their community.

When I(Jordan) drive to the Navajo Nation, I am usually coming from the southern part of Colorado and get to experience quite the view on my way.  The high deserts, mountains, valleys, canyons, mesas, and plateaus of the Navajo nation are overwhelming.  Of the thousands of miles I drive, my favorite drive by far is the one leading to Fort Defiance, AZ.  Not only are the views gorgeous, but I know once I arrive I will get to catch up with the staff at Good Shepherd Mission and Rez Refuge.   Community development, gardening, education, mentorship are just some of the ways that these (and other) organizations are serving in the Fort Defiance and Window Rock communities.

On the corner of Main and 2^nd street in Mission, SD on the Rosebud Reservation is a little café.  In this little shop, so many people, myself included, have been changed by the family running this little building.  The things I(Jordan) have learned from these amazing people include, but are not limited to: the most delicious way to eat fry bread, compassion, the history and culture of the Sicangu Lakota people, how to predict the weather from looking at horses, thankfulness, the meaning of the Four Directions, how to take apart an abandoned church and build a bunkhouse, humility, and many other things.