Young Life faith-based outreach program praised

 

November 23, 2022



The iconic Rainbow Bridge has connected La Conner and Swinomish Reservation since 1957.

The Young Life ministry is extending that connection on spiritual and social levels.

Members of the La Conner and Swinomish communities celebrated that connection during the annual two-hour Young Life dessert banquet at La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House Saturday night.

“The Rainbow Bridge is perfectly named,” explained Jaime Stroebel-Reinstra, one of the event’s lead organizers, “because you always think of a pot of gold being at the end of a rainbow. The bridge makes it so that La Conner and Swinomish each has a pot of gold, and it brings the two communities together.”

Stroebel-Reinstra and other speakers, including Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Senators Brian Wilbur and Barb James, lauded fundraising and volunteer support that has allowed youth to participate in Young Life clubs and camps.

“We have a lot of participation by our kids,” Wilbur said. “Our kids really appreciate it. What Young Life does is foster that sense of shared community.”

Young Life is a faith-based all-volunteer Christian ministry which provides teens opportunities for regular fellowship and to attend summer camp in British Columbia and Central Oregon.

Those camp experiences create memories to last a lifetime, participants said.

“It’s been something to really look forward to in the summer,” said La Conner High School student Kali Adams. “It’s been some of the best weeks of my life. It’s fun. It works really well. And everybody always asks, ‘When’s the next one?’”

“You meet people from all over and connect with them,” Chloe Edwards, another student, noted. “It’s definitely an experience everyone should have.”

High school teacher-coach Peter Voorhees and pastor Johnny Dean of Inspire Church on Swinomish Reservation served as emcees. Janie Beasley, a former longtime school board member who represented the Swinomish district, offered a prayer in Lushootseed, the language spoken by Puget Sound region tribes.

“It’s exciting to see them sharing time with friends, leaders and people they might not even know, and maybe do something they’ve never done before,” said Dean, noting the camps feature games, ziplines, water sports, food and personal growth activities and that La Conner youth also attend monthly Young Life club meetings.

He was roundly applauded after singing “Amazing Grace”– a vocal prompted by Swinomish master carver Kevin Paul.

La Conner Young Life committee chair Debbie Thulen, retired teacher-coach Mike Carrigan (who has served as a Young Life camp counselor for more than two decades), and La Conner High School and Washington State University alum Wylie Thulen also spoke.

Debbie Thulen saluted Stroebel-Reinstra for her tireless efforts on behalf of Young Life.

“If you live in La Conner, you’ve seen her volunteering – always doing the work – while trying not to draw attention to herself,” said Thulen. “She’s been really invaluable.”

Wylie Thulen continued the theme of the collaboration paying dividends for local youth.

“We’re in this together,” he said. “It’s a beautiful connection that’s not happening in other places.

“Each dollar you provide,” he reminded the audience, “goes to help kids here have the best week of their lives.”

Paul and James echoed that sentiment.

“I’m so proud that this younger generation is finding a better way of life,” Paul said. “I’m so happy we can come together and share this blessing.”

“It’s just wonderful that we’re all able to come together tonight,” added James. “This could go on for generations. That’s what we’re thankful for.”

 

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