Howdy Friends of Taylor’s Place:
As 2020 draws to a close, the Founders and Board Members of Taylor’s Place want to express our heartfelt appreciation for your volunteer hours, financial support, and prayers during this challenging time. Little did any of us know as we enjoyed munchies and football last New Year’s Day that we would face a year of unprecedented change to our daily routine and perhaps even our future plans. Phrases like “social-distancing”; “shelter-in-place”; “surge”; and “Zooming” entered our vocabulary; Oh, and yes, we’ve all met a “cov-idiot” or two who refuse to take this pandemic seriously!
One of the groups experiencing the most profound disruption to their lives during this pandemic are college students. Covid19 protocols cancelled everything on their social calendar. It stole the richness and tradition of university life. They felt isolated, frustrated, fearful, and uncertain about their future.
Quite frankly, as lockdown began last Spring, we at Taylor’s Place shared the negative emotions of our students. In February our Board met for its annual Strategic Planning Retreat. We came away with the expectation of hosting more weekend guests and welcoming new students into the Taylor’s Place family. Campus was closed. Kids were scattered all over the country. Families no longer required our free accommodations. Now what? ??
The answer to that question was Camp Taylor, a series of primarily outdoor gatherings with Covid19 protocols in place. Since we were blessed to move to this larger property in the Fall of 2019, the county gave us approval to host up to 30 students per event while staying within Covid19 guidelines established by local officials. Our gatherings included groups of Fish Cadets; members of Aggie Parents & Family; Birthday celebrations; and Thanksgiving Dinner for students who weren’t able to be with their families for the holiday. On a somber note, we also hosted a student forum on suicide prevention following the untimely passing of an A&M student. Crisis Counselors and volunteers who had personal experience with depression shared openly about this difficult subject.
Also new this year was Taylor’s Torch, a series of informal discussions on such topics as peer pressure and stress. We had over 400 views when we posted these sessions on line. We consider this a huge success because there’s no way we could cram 400 kids into our living room!
Oh, and we can’t forget all those Zoom Meetings. Whether it was relieving the worries of Fish Parents; staying in touch with students; or speaking to Aggie Moms Clubs, Zoom became a handy tool in the Taylor’s Place toolbox. Zoom also made it possible for Tanya to complete a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership course and for Taylor’s Place to connect with The Communities Foundation of the Brazos Valley which hosted Brazos Valley Giving Day in October.
A Sophomore Cadet described the value of Taylor’s Place for our Texas A&M students the best. As we sat around the fire pit in silence, just watching the flames dance, he remarked: “This is so relaxing. I’m not studying. I am not stressed; just relaxed.” We also recall other special moments this year such as a Fish who just needed to hug Lolly because he missed his dog. Or a Senior still plagued with fatigue after recovering from Covid19 staying the weekend just to rest. He slept and ate and slept and ate….and ate….and ate. He watched football with TJ and helped chop wood because he said that activity was stress-relieving for him.
Perhaps the need to relieve the stress of social isolation was one of the reasons students clamored to volunteer for our Workdays. We have a never-ending list of chores around here and TJ only has two hands. Our student volunteers were thrilled to have something productive to do with their spare time. They cleared brush; chopped wood; built fence. But it wasn’t all work and no play. There was always plenty of food and fellowship and s’mores ‘round the fire pit. In short, we made new college memories to replace the ones Covid19 had stolen.
The capstone to 2020 was when Tanya and TJ were selected as Texas A&M Parents of the Year. We are certain that everyone who is receiving this letter will agree that there is not a more deserving couple to receive this honor. TJ & Tanya’s thoughts express the significance of this award the best:
“We are so honored to have been selected as Parents of the Year 2020-2021 at A&M. The fact that these cadets nominated us was so touching . To know that we are making a difference with them confirms our purpose and mission with Taylor’s Place. Years ago, after Taylor’s death, we were attending a home game. As the Parents of the Year were being recognized, I (Tanya) remember thinking ‘But that will never happen to us because our child is not here.’ But now we realize our kids are here!.......And they are many in number.”
Yes, our Taylor’s Place kids are here and the need for our services is ever increasing. Please consider partnering with us to provide a “Home Away from Home in Aggieland” for these students as they face unprecedented challenges in their young lives. No donation is too small and your continued prayers are priceless.
Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Covid-Free New Year!
Tanya & TJ Gillespie and
The Members of the Taylor’s Place Board