Change is a-coming!

Change is in the air: the days are getting longer, graduation is rapidly approaching, and spring reminds us of new life and new beginnings. The past few weeks have also brought some significant changes around Vision 16 as we have been in search of replacement Business Manager. We are happy…no, we are thrilled to announce that we have hired Mike Hartanov. Get to know Mike a bit, in his own words:

Hey Vision 16 community!

My name is Mike Hartanov and coming this June I have the honor of taking the reins for the Business Manager position. Before anything else, you need to know that I am overwhelmed with excitement for this opportunity. After learning of Vision 16 this spring, meeting its leadership team, and experiencing a small glimpse of the community, I just can’t wait to jump in!

I hail from the great city of Spokane, WA and was raised by two remarkable parents alongside three rambunctious brothers, one who just so happens to be my twin! The place I currently call home is Orange County and I work as a bookkeeper for a non-profit organization known as Krochet Kids international. I received a BA in Business Administration from Vanguard University, and since my graduation I have also spent time working with Younglife and my dad’s general contracting firm. When I don’t have work in front of me I find enjoyment in sailing, fly-fishing, outdoors recreation, cooking, and an occasional date with a great book! I am so stoked to live in Seattle and I would love to invite all of you to join me in the exploration of this next chapter of my life with Vision 16. So, whether that means you ask me to grab coffee or invite me over to fix your toilet, know that my desire is to be drenched in this community so that we can begin to dream about Vision 16 together!

Again, thank you for inviting me into your community, and know that I will pour my full efforts into vision 16 and its mission. Okay, I will see you this summer!

-Mike Hartanov

Upcoming Dates & Events

Here are some upcoming happenings around the Vision 16 community:

1. Finals are in full swing!  Students are in the middle being punished by higher education via rigorous tests that determine their academic fates.  Pray for them!
2. Christmas Break, Dec. 17-Jan 2.  Houses will be closed from the 18th til the 1st.
3. Family Dinners, Jan 6.  All of the students will be broken into small groups and eating dinner at families homes in and around Seattle.  If you’d like to host a group of students, please email me:  17thave@gmail.com
4. Winter Gathering, Jan 7.  Students will be gathering for fellowship, music, a speaker, and discussion.

I hope everyone is enjoying a season full of friends, family and reflection upon the gifts of birth, life, and love.

Blog Split!

As previously mentioned, the blog is undergoing some changes.  There will now be two Vision 16 blogs, one that is open to the public, the other which will require logging into WordPress and my approval.  The main Vision blog (the one you are reading currently) will still be updated, but mainly with dates and basic info.  The other blog (visionsixteencommunity.wordpress.com) will have more musings, writings from students, and other entries that we don’t necessarily want to be open to the general public.

So, if you would like access to the other blog, here is what you’ll need to do:

1. Create a WordPress username and password by clicking here.
2. Send me an email with your username, saying you’d like to be added to the blog.
3. Whammy!  You’re done, and you never have to think about it again.

In other news, check out the following photos from our Facilitator Retreat at Whidbey Island:

The human knot!

Nothing says retreat like a game of hearts.

The Presidents (Lauren Facchini, Luke French, Amy Grimm, Andrew Perkins, Edee O'Connor).

The 2011-12 facilitators (sans Allison Snyder & Michael Griffith) with Sarah Mazzoncini and Ryan Thomas.

Tomorrow’s the Day

That’s right, students begin moving in tomorrow.  Starting at 10 am, the facilitators can begin moving into their houses.  That means it’s been crunch time for me as I check off the final tasks from my summer to-do list.

This summer the Ave House has received most of my attention.  A couple of the major improvements are new lighting on the main floor (almost every fixture was upgraded!), new carpets in the common areas upstairs, and the wood floor in the entry/Cigar Room was finished.  The house is looking great!  Here are some photos of the improvements:

The woods getting refinished. If you want to see the final product, stop by the house!

No longer will the guys be eating in the dark! We went for a traditional chandelier look, while trying to keep it manly enough.

This hallway had been very dark...things are lookin' a bit brighter now. We'll see how the track holds up against soccer balls and footballs.

This room had similarly been quite dark...there are now nearly triple the bulbs.

The old carpet was ripped, holey, thin, and well...past its prime. The second and third floor common areas are looking fantastic with the new carpet.

Don’t hesitate to stop by the house in the upcoming weeks to say hi to the guys and see the improvements.  Also, the Vision 16 blog will be going through some changes in the upcoming month.  Be on the lookout!

Understanding Homelessness

Hopefully none of you read the title of this post and thought “Looks like I’m off the hook!  No need to read this one.”  Even those of us who have wrestled with the topic, those of us who have looked into the eyes of a person on the street and had all of our theories and judgments melted into a puddle of complexity and questions, still struggle with how to love people in this kind of need.

This blog entry certainly will not be an attempt at answering questions or even ask new ones.  It is simply an appeal from one confused friend to another.  It’s an appeal to learn more, to ask questions, and to not look away.

A great way to engage and to learn more is by attending a seminar that the Union Gospel Mission is offering on September 27.  It will be a three hour evening session to learn more surrounding the issues of homeless, as well as practical tips for how you can be involved in your daily life.

Who: You! and anyone else interested.

When: 6-9pm, September 27

Where: Blu Cafe in Shoreline

Why: To relieve fear surrounded with those different then us and provide some tools for engaging people who are experiencing homelessness. A successful course would end in stronger church engagement of their community.

Important Dates

Here are some upcoming dates that you’ll want to mark on your calendar:

 

Facilitator Retreat:  Sept 18-20

Returner Move-in:  Sept. 21, starting at 10 am

New Student Move-in:  Sept 22, starting at 10 am

New Parent Orientation:  Sept 22, 5:30 pm

Fall Gathering:  Sept 23, 5:30 pm – Sept 24, 1:00 pm

 

The Winter and Spring  gatherings and currently scheduled for Jan 6-7 and March 30-31, respectively.

In Their Words: Josh Allison

Welcome to part one of what will be a regular feature of the Vision 16 blog: “In Their Own Words.”  This series will be a way to hear from students rather than simply about them.  We’d be missing out to not hear from these bright, passionate, forward thinking young men and women; they aren’t simply the leaders of tomorrow, they are starting today.  They are leading by the way they shape culture, the way they spend their time and money, and the way they prioritize their lives.

Leading off is the recently married Josh Allison.  Josh lived in the Ave House for the past two years, is a passionate entrepreneur, lover of Jesus, and just Saturday exchanged 50 stinky, messy roommates for one much better looking and acting girl: Joanna.  Josh offers the following reflection and admonishment about the Malibu Leadership Weekend he attended last September:

The Malibu Leadership Weekend was one of the best experiences of my season in college so far.  A unique geographical setting makes for a refreshing change, and getting away from lots of technology and noise creates prime conditions for slowing down and spending quality time with new and old friends.  And let’s not forget the people you meet during this weekend – they’re world class leaders who love Jesus and desire to build friendships with rising leaders from younger generations.  Case in point, this is where Luke French and I first met governor David Beasley; several months later, we were spending our spring break riding ATVs on his farm, and sharing conversations with him and the former communist Prime Minister of Ethiopia.  In summary, go to it.

Thanks Josh.  If you are interested in finding out more about the Malibu Leadership Weekend taking place this upcoming Labor Day weekend, visit Washington Student Leadership’s website. It is a great weekend for people of all ages.  The goal is intergenerational leadership and relationship in the name of Jesus.  Don’t miss it!