Snohomish County Young Life Capernaum Club welcomes people with special needs

Published 6:32 pm Thursday, December 24, 2015

EVERETT — It was a packed house on a rainy Saturday evening and stayed that way from the first act until the last of the applause filled the auditorium.

The young people on stage beamed. Some waved at their parents, siblings, and friends. Others rushed behind the velvet curtain after taking a quick bow.

There were plenty of knock-knock jokes that elicited chuckles (and some groans). The musical numbers brought people to their feet, and the audience sang along to Neal Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” and the theme song to Disney’s popular movie, “Frozen.”

Another musical number emptied seats as some in the audience and the high school volunteer leaders joined in to dance on stage.

The annual talent show is a favorite among members of the Snohomish County Young Life Capernaum. It gives young people a moment to feel good about themselves and it challenges some to do something new.

“Our kids love to perform. They love to sing. They love to dance. They really want to shine and this gives them a safe, loving place to share their talents,” club leader Aimee Dunbar said.

The club has been around for about three years. It’s grown so much that there are now two groups, one that meets in Lake Stevens and a second that meets in the Lynnwood area.

The name is taken from Capernaum, a town in the Bible. The story is that Jesus was teaching in Capernaum and four men carried their friend with a disability to see him. The crowds prevented the men from reaching Jesus, so they lifted their friend to the roof, where they cut a hole and lowered the man to Jesus’ feet. He was moved by their actions and faith, and saved the man.

The Snohomish County club welcomes young people with special needs, encourages their faith and offers them fellowship.

“We want them to know they’re loved and to know God loves them,” Dunbar said.

Katie Harrell said her daughter Megan’s faith was strong before she joined the Young Life club about three years ago. It has grown stronger as Megan found a safe place to share her beliefs. Her daughter keeps a notebook detailing the club’s talks.

“She is accepted for who she is and is comfortable expressing her faith,” Katie Harrell said. “It doesn’t matter what church you go to, everyone is accepted there.”

Her daughter, 22, has Down Syndrome. She’s also a pianist and an actress and works at Country Market in Lake Stevens.

At the talent show earlier this month, the young woman played “Angels We Have Heard on High,” one of her favorites. As the last note faded she looked up from the keyboard and there was joy on her face.

“I love playing Christmas songs on the piano,” she said later.

Dylan Job, 23, walked on stage with Dunbar at his side. The duo told a few Christmas-themed jokes.

“Knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?” Job asked.

“Doughnut,” Dunbar said.

“Doughnut who?” Job asked.

“Do not open until Christmas.”

Just a few groans from the audience on that one.

“I hadn’t been on stage in a little while,” Job said. “I got through it.”

Job likes catching up with his friends at the Young Life club. His mom says it can be challenging to find social activities for her son now that he’s no longer attending the Washington State School for the Blind.

“It’s so refreshing to be involved in a place, where really there is no judgement,” Jaime Job said. “No one looks at the kids with pity, just with love.”

Dylan Job said he likes meeting up with his friends he doesn’t encounter at work. He makes canteens at Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind.

Sometimes he catches the bus for work at 6:30 a.m. and doesn’t get home until 6:30 p.m., his mom said.

“No matter how tired he is, he’ll go to club,” she said.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley