May 2026: Growing, Serving, and Sending

The month of May brought plenty of excitement, growth, and reminders of why Portal exists.
As we move closer to summer, we continue to see a steady increase in attendance. More teens are walking through our doors, inviting friends, and making Portal part of their weekly routine. While we are excited to serve more young people than ever before, this growth also means we are relying on community support now more than ever.

May the Fourth Be With You
One of the highlights of the month was our annual Star Wars celebration.
For a few nights each year, the galaxy comes to Portal as teens bring lightsabers, Star Wars gear, and plenty of enthusiasm. Friendly battles took place throughout the building, volunteers did their best to keep the peace, and everyone had a great time.
It's become one of those traditions that many of our teens look forward to each year—and if we're being honest, a few of the volunteers enjoy it just as much.

Growth We Can See
Recently, we welcomed 31 teens on a regular evening.
No special event. No special promotion. Just teens showing up because they want to be here.
Moments like that are exciting because they show that Portal is becoming a place where teens feel connected, accepted, and safe.
Over the past several months, attendance has steadily increased, and we're thankful for every teen who walks through our doors. We know each number represents a young person with a unique story, unique struggles, and incredible potential.

Preparing Teens for the Future
As Portal continues to grow, we're excited to begin developing a new opportunity for teens to serve in our snack bar.
This summer, selected teens will be able to earn credits while learning valuable skills such as customer service, responsibility, teamwork, and communication. They will work alongside adult volunteers and gain practical experience in a supportive environment.
We're still finalizing the details, forms, and guidelines, but the response from the teens has already been encouraging. Several have expressed interest in helping, and we're excited to see how this opportunity helps them grow.

A Community That Makes It Possible
Every snack, every drink, every donation, and every volunteer hour makes a difference.
As attendance increases, so does the need. On a night with 30 teens, it's easy to go through 30 ramen cups, 30 mac and cheese cups, and 30 drinks—not including the many other snacks that disappear throughout the evening.
We're incredibly grateful for those who donate food, supplies, finances, and time. We know that many families are facing challenges of their own, which makes every gift even more meaningful.
Your generosity helps ensure that teens have a place where they can build friendships, find encouragement, and experience the love of Christ.

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Why Portal Matters
Recently, we asked a few teens what Portal means to them.
Many gave simple answers:
"A place to hang out with friends."
"Something to do."
"A place to go."
Those answers may sound ordinary, but they represent something significant. For some teens, having a safe place to belong can make all the difference.
Behind the games, music, snacks, and conversations are relationships being built and lives being impacted.

​Celebrating Our Graduates
May also brings a bittersweet milestone each year as we celebrate several of our Portal teens graduating from high school.
Watching these young men and women reach this important achievement is exciting, but it's also a reminder of how quickly time passes. Some of them have spent years walking through our doors, building friendships, sharing life, and becoming part of the Portal family.
While graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, it doesn't mean goodbye just yet. Graduates who are registered with Portal are welcome to continue attending throughout the summer until fair time, when their time as a teen participant officially comes to an end.
As directors, volunteers, and friends, we are incredibly proud of each graduate. While it's hard to see them move on, we know they are stepping into the next season of life with opportunities ahead of them.
Please join us in praying for our graduates as they navigate college, careers, military service, trade schools, and whatever paths God has prepared for them.
And who knows? Some may return one day in a different role. Portal graduates can apply to become volunteers once they reach age 21 and meet our volunteer requirements. There's something special about the possibility of former teens coming back to invest in the next generation.
To our graduates: thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. We will be cheering you on, praying for you, and trusting God with the road ahead.

​God's Love Never Changes
One teen shared that their favorite verse is Romans 5:8:
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
What a powerful reminder.
God doesn't wait for us to have everything figured out before He loves us. His love reaches us exactly where we are.
This month, we encourage you to spend some time reading through the book of Romans and reflecting on the incredible gift of God's grace.

🌱 Join the Mission This Month
Because of the continued growth at Portal, there are several ways you can help:
• Donate ramen, mac and cheese cups, pop, and snacks
• Check out and share our Amazon Wish List
• Become a "Star in the Galaxy" monthly sponsor
• Volunteer your time and talents
• Pray for the teens, volunteers, and continued growth of the ministry
Every donation, every prayer, and every act of support helps make Portal possible.

Have a blessed month 💛