You helped Julie Beard find her purpose, which, according to her parents, saved her life.
Julie, 23, runs the Frederick site of Summer Enrichment Camp, the Mission’s program for disadvantaged children. This is her second summer in charge, and she’s fantastic with the kids! The children follow her every instruction, and she handles them with the command of Mary Poppins.
Even though Julie started following Jesus as a child, she experienced severe depression and anxiety in middle school. Her parents were alarmed and tried to get her the help she needed, but her inner darkness prevailed.
In ninth grade, Julie talked about suicide to a school counselor, which led to her spending a week in a hospital.
Julie says her experience that week was helpful because she learned she did not have to be controlled by her feelings. Nevertheless, her emotional pain persisted.
Julie admired her church youth leader, Grace, so when Grace challenged her to volunteer as a counselor at Summer Enrichment Camp for one week, she accepted. (At that time, Grace was the Camp Director.) To Julie’s surprise, she enjoyed working with the kids and was determined to volunteer for the entire summer the following year.
Grace specialized in working with special needs children, and when Julie returned to camp, she was assigned to assist a particular child. Oscar* was an autistic boy with ADHD, and Julie helped him adapt to the camp’s program under Grace’s supervision. Julie’s positive experience at summer camp, along with six months of counseling, played a crucial role in helping her overcome depression and anxiety.
Julie served in the Mission’s camp every summer throughout high school and developed a close bond with Oscar. She enjoyed leading all the children but found her experience with Oscar especially rewarding, which led her to major in Special Education at Towson University. Even after Oscar had aged out of Summer Enrichment Camp, Julie continued each year, becoming a paid intern, then assistant camp director, and last year she replaced her mentor Grace as director of the Frederick site. Camp Administrator Teri Kwiatek says, “I have seen growth in Julie every year! She takes responsibility, and I have full confidence in her leadership.”
When Julie works with children, she feels the Lord’s pleasure; the “ball is in the glove.” She graduated from Towson this year and is eager to work full-time with children with special needs.
When we find our unique gift and fulfill the Lord’s calling, we experience His joy. Your support helped Julie overcome depression and find purpose, and the legacy is positively impacting countless children.
* Not his real name
