June 2021 Thank You

It’s been such a fun summer so far at Daystar this year—in addition to our offices being full of kids in individual counseling, we’ve also had both Hopetown and several day camps running at the same time. This summer,  I had the privilege of leading a day camp of 9 high energy middle school boys. We hiked, rock climbed, went to TopGolf, and played Laser Tag. 

We also tied our adventures around Nashville into a weeklong conversation about friendship, and how putting ourselves in another person’s mental shoes (empathy) builds trust and connection. On the last day, we did an activity called “chair time”, a Daystar favorite, where anyone that wants to can get up and sit in a special chair and call on people that want to speak encouraging words to them (the boys affectionately named it a “reverse roast”). I was so impressed with the way they spoke to each other, “You are such a good friend to me.” “Thank you for talking to me in the van.” “You are always there for people.” “I know I can trust you.” These are not the type of words normally exchanged between 12-year-old boys. Yet Daystar is a place where I hear kids talk to each other like this all the time…in groups throughout the school year, day camps, and at Hopetown summer sessions. I’m so grateful to be a part of this team and all that goes on in the summers to help boys and girls learn how to have deeper relationships and learn more about themselves..

Thank you so much for joining the effort to keep Daystar’s doors open. Your support this June of 2021 gives young people access to a place where they can find friendship when they’re lonely, inclusion when they’re outcasted, and hope when they’re hurting.

Gratefully,

Alex Hopkins on behalf of The Daystar Staff

May 2021 Thank You

At the beginning of June our staff welcomed 21, 11th and 12th graders to Hopetown, officially kicking off our long anticipated summer. We have already begun to see God move in amazing ways as new relationships are forming and we’re settling into life on Kentucky Lake. As we transition out of the most unique school year of children’s lives, our summer retreats at Hopetown and day camps in Nashville are seeking to help kids practice holy play and find peace in the everyday. One of our dear friends captured so well what Daystar aims to do in her words…

“I’m coming out of my Instagram sabbatical to give the biggest shout out to Daystar Ministries! If ever I wonder if hope is real and possible, I just have to walk through the doors of their sacred yellow house!! They turn families lives around for the good! They prove that the joy does return in the morning no matter how dark the night! Miracles happen in their care! If your family has come on hard times or you or your child could really use a listening ear, a word of encouragement, help to make a new way where you feel there is no way, please reach out to them!”

This is exactly what we are hoping to do in the lives of families and all the kids that are in our care this summer. Remind them that joy does return in the morning, no matter how dark the night has been.

Creating space like this for kids truly would not be possible without your generosity and support. Thank you for giving to Daystar and championing care for children and families in every season.  We hope and pray that you too can be reminded of the truth that no matter how dark your pandemic year has been, joy returns in the morning thanks to our faithful and loving God.

April 2021 Thank You

So often the kids and teenagers who walk through the doors of Daystar and quickly find it to be a refuge. They come willingly and eagerly week in and out to talk about their struggles and work through challenges. But now and then, our clients would rather be anywhere than our little yellow house. Occasionally, life has thrown them an awful curveball and this is just another “thing that won’t work”—at least that’s what they believe.

Last week, I sat with a teenager riddled with health issues and tired of appointments—a new client who longs to simply “be normal”. It was clear we’d reached an impasse only ten minutes into the session. Without hesitation she let me know that she would not talk to me, her parents were making her do this and she would not be back… one and done. After 30 minutes of working my therapeutic magic, I realized I was out of tricks and she was unwilling to talk and so frustrated she began to cry. Suddenly, it hit me: ask for one of our pet therapists. Within moments, Pippa scratched on my office door. Without missing a beat, I opened the door, sat a jar of treats next to my client, looked Pippa in the eyes and said, “If you want a treat, you’ll have to ask her” and pointed to my reluctant client. 

Pippa did the thing our pet therapists do, she brought approachability to the moment making the hard thing a little more doable. My client softer. For the rest of our session, we talked mostly about dogs and momentarily about life. One life touching another continues to make all the difference—even if that life is a four-legged furry life. 

As I settle into my role as a girls’ counselor here at Daystar, I continue to be grateful for way my steps have been ordered. I “quit my day job” mid-career to pursue a masters degree in marriage and family therapy never considering connections I made while working in girls’ ministry events (through which I met Melissa and Sissy) would come full circle. I’m thrilled to be here at Daystar. Thank you for your support of the work we do here at this little yellow house—we couldn’t do it without you. 

Sincerely,

Amy Jacobs and The Daystar Staff

March 2021 Thank You

Kids are struggling. 1 in 3, in fact, are now battling anxiety. We’re seeing evidence of it in our offices daily. And we’re seeing that anxiety spill over into depression. Parents are struggling, too. They’re overwhelmed. We’ve talked, as a staff, about how we’ve never had as many parents in our offices in tears as we have in the past year. And now year plus. It’s been a long, hard season. For all of us.

In this season, it feels more important than ever to have our doors open to our little yellow house. For kids to get to meet with a trusted counselor. For them to gather with other kids, in person, in a safe place to share their stories and even just to laugh. We are deeply grateful to be doing this work of offering hope to the 1900 families who are currently a part of Daystar. Romans 15 calls it “taking on the troubles of the troubled.”

“That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next.”             -Romans 15:3-5

Thank you for joining us in this steady, constant calling. It truly has never felt as important. And it has never felt like more of a privilege to have your partnership in it. We are grateful. So are these kids and their parents. And we’re all looking expectantly with you to whatever He will do next.

The Daystar Staff

February 2021 Thank You

As you know, Daystar has been committed, when possible, to keeping our doors open to the kids and families who are coming to us for counseling. Several of us have been exposed at different times along the way but, other than during the Nashville Stay-at-Home orders, we’ve been able to continue to do our work of offering hope in person—at least, individually.

A few weeks ago, we contacted the Mayor’s office and were allowed to resume groups in person, as well. Of course, we’re in masks and socially distanced. But we are delighted to not only see these kids faces (as much as possible in a mask), but for them to get to see each other. So many kids of all ages are feeling the loneliness that has been a part of this past year deeply. And so, to see them come together, has given all of us a surge of hope.

Just last week, one of the groups started in the park a few doors down. They played and laughed together, before coming back to our offices to talk about what’s going on in their lives. As the group sat down, one girl looked at another and said, “It’s been so long since we just played.” Hope. Even in the playfulness. And simply but more profoundly than possibly any of us knew in the togetherness.

Thank you for being such an important part of Daystar. Thank you for helping us provide a safe place for individuals AND groups. It is an honor to stand with you in playing and sharing hope in these days. 

Gratefully,

The Daystar Staff