The Power Of Showing Up

Jayden first started coming to The Underground when he was in sixth grade. Now in eighth, his journey has been anything but easy. After his mom left, Jayden moved in with his grandfather and experienced a lot of instability.

He began to struggle at school. Started getting in trouble and had a hard time finding his footing. But something powerful happens when a young person is surrounded by consistent support.

Through our partnership between Jayden’s school, his grandfather, and our team, we were able to create structure and accountability for him. Slowly but surely, his behavior began to change. Jayden started showing up consistently, every day for drop-in and every Tuesday for Club. He participated, engaged in conversations, and began remembering the stories and lessons we talked about each week.

Before he moved away, we were able to give Jayden a bible of his own. He shared that he had already begun reading it.

A few weeks ago, unexpectedly, Jayden’s mom decided to move him away to live with her, and we had to say goodbye.

When Club started again, I received a call from a number I didn’t recognize. When I looked closer, I realized the messages that were left were from Jayden. I called him back, and our conversation went like this:

“Hey Jayden, how’re you doing?”

“I’m doing good,” he said. “Just here… kinda bored,”

I asked if he had started school yet.

“Not yet,” then he paused and added, “Actually, I was calling because I wanted to know what today’s message was.”

Even though Jayden had moved away, he still remembered that Tuesdays meant Club. Tuesdays meant hearing about God.

Moments like this remind us that what happens in our centers matters more than we sometimes realize. The consistency, the relationships, and the message of hope we share each week are planting seeds in the lives of young people. Jayden may no longer be physically here, but the impact of this community is still reaching him. And that’s the power of showing up.

Stephanie DelValle

Central Kitsap Area Director

*The student’s name has been changed for privacy.