THE GATE COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTER
Mission
The Gate Youth Association is a 501(c)(3), non-profit corporation whose mission is to demonstrate Christ’s love to the youth of our community through academic, social, recreational, and spiritual activities.
Vision
Our vision is a community where future generations experience, follow, and serve Christ. Considering that Tuesday Lunch has been in existence since 1989 and our afterschool programming has been in place since 2005, we are currently seeing our vision come alive. We see past Gate students already reaching various stages of adulthood from high school graduate to midlife and many are living proof of our mission statement. We see our past students serving as influential men and women of faith and goodwill in our community, our nation and our world. They are now helping others around them be known, encouraged and encounter Christ’s unconditional love.
Administrative Team
With a combined 45 years of ministry experience, the administrative team of Directors are determined to make sure every teen is known, encouraged and experiences the love of Christ during their time at The Gate.
Executive Director
"The Gate provides a place for youth to be safe and have fun while connecting with adult mentors who can encourage them and guide them in their journey through life. Serving at The Gate is the most meaningful thing I do outside of my own family."
Ben was born and raised in Polk County where he has gotten to know both Monmouth and Independence well over the years.He has been involved in youth ministry in various capacities as well as managing a small local business throughout his working career.He has volunteered weekly at The Gate since its inception, coordinated the building of the youth center and now serves as the Executive Director.
Discipleship Director
"I am excited about building relationships with the students at the Gate and assimilating them into the youth group. Ultimately, I dream that every student has a chance to experience the fullness of Jesus in their lives."
Dale was born in Forest Grove Oregon and raised in the Willamette Valley for most of his childhood. Dale and his wife of 26 years have 3 adult daughters and 1 son. He was a youth pastor at Church on the Hill in McMinnville for 10 years and 3 years at Praise Assembly in McMinnville. He believes, “Our students have many negative voices that speak very loudly in their lives. We have a mission to speak life into them, bring them hope, and help them find their purpose.” Dale is excited about the mission field that is literally across the street from the Gate.
Program Director
“I believe The Gate is where students can come to not only hang out and build new friendships, but to also feel loved and encouraged, and be mentored by those in the community who really care about them.”
Geanell was born and raised in Hawaii on the island of Maui. She moved to Oregon in 2013 to pursue an education in teaching at Western Oregon University located in Monmouth. After college, Geanell began her teaching career. She has worked for Central SD, Salem-Keizer SD, and McMinnville SD. She greatly enjoyed her time working as an elementary school teacher. In addition to teaching, she also became a respite care provider for children in foster care. These experiences inspired her passion for mentoring and walking alongside children who have a need for encouragement and guidance. Her new drive led her to have the opportunity to work at The Gate. She is excited to be on board with the staff and volunteers to help the children in our community.
The Governing Board
Passionate about teens and future of Monmouth & Independence, the governing board is made up of representatives throughout the community.
President
Shiela Duluk
“Youth are the future of our community. They carry many of the responsibilities that adults do in our culture, and deserve a safe place where they can come and just be kids again. I am excited to see The Gate be that place, filled with laughter, joy and smiles, but also a place where youth can feel encouraged, and safe enough to share their burdens with caring, supportive, loving adults, and know that they are not alone.” Shiela grew up in Southern California and has been working with kids and youth since she was in highschool. She has worked as an AVID Tutor, YMCA childcare site director, administrative assistant for various organizations, and is currently the office administrator at First Baptist Church, Independence . She has also volunteered as a crisis counselor for community agencies in Southern California, and most recently is serving as a local PTA President, and on several community committees with Central School District. She is excited to be part of collaborative team at The Gate as they work to develop the programs that will have the most impact and opportunities for all youth in our community.
Secretary
Mike Ainsworth
“I am invested whole heartedly in this community, I always want to be the lead cheerleader. Kids have purpose. I want to help them find it and pursue it.” Mike Ainsworth grew up in Polk County and graduated from Central High School in 1973. He married his wife DeAnn in 1975 at the First Baptist Church in Independence where they raised their family just outside of town. After spending 20 years working for Willamette Industries and Weyerhaeuser, he served the last 10 years as a Polk County Commissioner. Mike has spent the last 28 years announcing games for the CHS football team and is very involved with the Panther Booster Club. Recently retired, Mike can often be found mowing the lawns at The Gate or cleaning the floors inside.
Vice President
Abby Fitts
“The Gate offers kids, no matter who they are or where they are from, a place to land, to be safe, to ask questions, to make friendships, and to learn about the love of Christ. I’m so glad I get to be a part of that!” Abby grew up overseas and served in the US Navy before making Independence her home in 2008. She runs a solo law practice and serves as a children’s rights policy advocate at the University of Colorado’s Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect. She serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Polk County, and she and her husband Joe have 3 children.
Board Member
Mike Parks
“My hope is to have a safe place like The Gate for youth to enjoy enriching activities, hear the good news of Christ, and grow in maturity and wholeness with Him.” Mike and his wife have lived in the Monmouth/Independence area since 1999 and raised three children who each graduated from Central High School.He has been in fulltime ministry for over 25 years serving as a Youth Pastor, Education Director and is currently the lead Pastor at First Baptist of Independence.He can be seen most Thursday’s at The Gate, has spoken at Tuesday Lunch and volunteers with AWANA clubs.
Board Member
Donn Wahl
"Few things excite me more than seeing kids reach their potential. Helping dreams come true will have a major impact on our community." Donn grew up in McMinnville, Oregon and has worked as an engineer, business manager and small business owner. He is now retired and an original board member and officer of The Gate Youth Association. He serves as a Financial Secretary for First Baptist Church and volunteers with the YMCA in addition to his service at The Gate. He has served on the Central School District Board since June of 2013.
Board Member
Kari Meyer
“The Gate gives hope to our community and adds necessary light in this dark time” Kari is a lifelong part of this community and has spent most of that time in the Independence First Baptist church and in the Central school district. Through the years, her role has shifted from student, to educator, to parent (and educator). She has been excited about The Gate since the initial dream was shared, and joyfully serves on the board to connect to the schools and students of our community.
Board Member
Chris Robertson
“Fifteen years of working in youth ministry has given me a deep passion to see youth develop healthy relationships. The Gate is exactly what Polk County needs to give all youth a positive place to grow up.” Chris grew up in Independence and Dallas, Oregon and has worked as a youth pastor, concrete finisher and small business owner. He is now lead pastor at Way of Life Fellowship in Salem. He served as the youth pastor at Independence First Baptist Church where he built the vision for The Gate. He is passionate about collaborating and championing the mission of The Gate.
Board Member
Anthony Preston
I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon where I grew up playing sports and finding new ways to give my foster parents a headache. As a Junior in High School, I gave my life to Jesus, and this set me on a new path for the rest of my life. I learned quickly that I had a passion for serving others, particularly in working with youth. Over the last decade or so this has taken forms of, coaching various sports, (Wrestling, Tennis and Track and Field), leading both YoungLife and WyldLife, working at the Gate and volunteering for countless summer camps. After high school, I attended Western Oregon University where I got a degree in Criminal Justice (I am currently a Police Officer at a midsize agency in Oregon) and met my lovely wife. One of the biggest reasons that I love working with youth is that I remember how pivotal that time in my life was and how many new things that I learned. As I was learning and becoming a young adult, I was blessed enough to have loving and caring adults that spoke into my life and helped me determine the kind of person that I was going to become. To get the chance to pay it forward by working with youth in our community brings me a ton of joy.