Over the years, I’ve been blessed to work alongside many incredible people who have freely offered their gifts, talents, and time to the neighbors of The Root Cellar. Some stay for a short while. Some for a season. Some for a year.

And then there are the few who become an integral part of the story that God is authoring at The Root Cellar.

Damon Crouse is one of those people.

This week marks Damon’s final week as an employee of The Root Cellar, and while transitions like this are part of ministry life, some are harder than others. We gathered together yesterday with about a hundred neighbors, former staff, volunteers, kids, and of course a few dozen teens—each wanting to share just how much Damon has meant to them and honor his incredible contribution to this ministry.

We all agreed: you cannot replace a Damon Crouse.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching strong leaders grow from within this ministry. One of the real joys of this work is seeing people serve faithfully, love their neighbors well, and step into greater responsibility with humility, wisdom, and conviction. That is certainly true of Alyssa McKay, Vicky Crouse, and Myra Ashley Woodard.

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)has maintained a visible presence in both Portland and Lewiston for several months, with a noticeable increase in activity in recent weeks. It is true that ICE has arrested individuals who have committed crimes and pose a threat to public safety, and we recognize the legitimacy of those efforts. At the same time, we have also observed individuals with no criminal history being arrested and detained. In recent weeks, at least five adult English students connected to The Root Cellar have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

As we turn the page into a new year, our hearts at The Root Cellar are overflowing with gratitude. This season has been a powerful reminder of how faithfully God provides through the generosity and partnership of our community.

Each summer at The Root Cellar, everything get’s bigger, better and - in a word - super! I had a chance to catch up with Alyssa McKay in Lewiston and Dieudonne Karawanga in Portland. They each shared some beautiful insights of how God has been at work in our children and teens - and through so many volunteers! This is all possible because of generous donations from individuals and families - just like you and yours!