A child’s joy

A CHILD’S JOY can be heard in a laugh, seen in a smile, felt in a hug. A CHILD’S JOY can be seen when running, playing tag or skipping rope. A CHILD’S JOY can be heard in a song or when calling out the name of a friend. A CHILD’S JOY should be something we never see fade away!

 “Joy is untouched by circumstance” This is a quote that I saw recently (author unknown).  It made me think of Saturday Sports. Each child comes with their own story, each from different backgrounds and family circumstances. Some are blessed with homes that are filled with love, others come from homes that are broken and struggle at their core. But seeing the smiles and joy that flow out of the children on Saturday mornings makes me thankful that so many people & churches volunteer their personal time to reach and help make Saturday Sports happen.

Children in our neighborhoods look forward to seeing a warm welcoming face and hanging out with the partnership leaders. They are given an opportunity to be themselves in a safe environment with people who love and care about their wellbeing and future. Watching volunteers reach out to each child and laugh and smile while they get to be affected by this contagious joy that takes place at a Saturday Sports brings child-like joy to my own heart.

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If A CHILD’S JOY can be heard in a laugh, seen in a smile, felt in a hug, what happens when our neighborhood children do not have a safe place to go to be a kid or don’t have an adult that is willing to love on them and be present in their life?

What happens to the children who are in a neighborhood filled with drugs and gangs… where do they find there JOY?

Is there a safe place for them to go? If we, the Church do NOT step in, they might never see the true joy that we find in Jesus!

Planting seeds of Joy, Love and Hope can be as simple as taking time to skip rope or shoot a few hoops with the kids in each our neighborhoods and  letting them known that THEY matter, and WE CARE about their future.

andrewfeil

Andrew Feil is a dedicated professional with a profound commitment to community transformation. As the Executive Director of Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP), Andrew is at the forefront of activating, equipping, and mobilizing community members, organizations, and institutions to drive positive change in Fresno. A devoted husband to Denise Feil and a father of four boys, Andrew and his family call the vibrant Tower District of Fresno home. Beyond his leadership role at ENP, Andrew serves as adjunct faculty at Fresno Pacific University in the School of Humanities, Religion, and Social Sciences, bringing his wealth of experience to the academic sphere. Andrew's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Fresno Pacific University and a Master's degree from Bakke Graduate University in Social and Civic Entrepreneurship. His diverse skill set, honed through years of experience, positions him as a dynamic force in community development. Having transitioned from the role of Associate Director in 2015 to Executive Director in 2020, Andrew provides strategic leadership direction for ENP. He oversees the organization's partnerships, finances, and operations, ensuring its continued success in fostering positive community impact. Passionate about leveraging existing community assets, Andrew envisions a future where everyone possesses the ability to be decision-makers, contributing to the creation of healthy and thriving neighborhoods. In addition to his professional pursuits, Andrew enjoys staying active, gardening, indulging in literary pursuits, and supporting the Los Angeles Dodgers and Liverpool Reds.

andrewfeilA child’s joy

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