by Rev. Jane Quesenberry-Nelson
Currently, I serve as an ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church of Minnesota. My journey began over 20 years ago as a lay volunteer, visiting the Arrowhead Juvenile Center once a month—or maybe every other week, though the details blur with time. Back then, I simply wanted to lend a hand. I couldn’t have imagined how deeply this work would shape my faith and calling.
Listening to the stories of these young people, I often wondered: Where is God in all of this? Many of them felt lost, unable to see God’s presence in their lives. Part of my role has been to help them discover that presence, offering a space for prayer and reflection if they’re open to it. Many of the youth I work with don’t have families in the traditional sense, but over the years, I’ve seen how God finds a way into their lives, often in unexpected ways.
Today, the juvenile center operates three units: Detention, Treatment, and the Girls Center. The number of young people we serve fluctuates from week to week, as kids come in from all over Minnesota—places like International Falls and Ely, and sometimes even from Wisconsin. With the help of dedicated volunteers, we bring faith-based services into the facility, including baptisms, memorials, communion, and spiritual support. Currently, we have eight volunteers who visit weekly, each of them bringing a unique passion for guiding these young people toward a sense of hope and faith.
I’m constantly moved by what God has in store for each of these youth. If they walk away with even one word of comfort, one moment of peace, I consider it a win. Without the support offered here, I truly believe we would see far more tragedy and heartbreak in their lives.
I feel deeply blessed to be part of this community through Chum and to serve the young people at Arrowhead Juvenile Center.
