[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S2957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     WELLSPRING REVIVAL MINISTRIES

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize the 
15th anniversary of the founding of Wellspring Revival Ministries in 
Fairbanks, AK. In 1998, Michael and Linda Setterberg recognized the 
need for more youth activities in the Fairbanks area and set out to do 
something about it. In 1999, the Setterbergs opened Joel's Place, a 
place for young people who needed somewhere to belong.
  It began with a weekly youth group meeting but it grew to be 
something much bigger. Today, relying on volunteers, grants and 
charitable contributions, Joel's Place is open 6 days a week with a 
concert hall, a cafe, a garden, and sports activities including the 
only indoor skate park in Alaska. Joel's Place works with local school 
counselors and is a National Safe Place, offering shelter and 
counseling.
  Part of the success of Joel's Place is due to partnerships with other 
local nonprofits and national foundations, as well as State and local 
governments. Federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
provide support for the organization's Summer Food Service Program and 
Child and Adult Care Food Program, which ensures that low-income 
children receive nutritious meals.
  The power to keep the program going comes from the passion and 
devotion of the founders of Joel's Place, the professionals who run it, 
the board of directors who oversee the organization and the volunteers 
who give their time. I give my congratulations to the people who make 
Joel's Place go, and I look forward to hearing about their continued 
success.

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