Meet Julian: Celebrating 20+ Years with Anchor House
This September, one of our staff hit a big milestone – Julian Fowler has been with Anchor House for 20 years! In fact, he was here a little longer – staff like to say he’s been here for “20+” years; Julian actually started with Anchor House way back in 1995 – and after a brief leave of absence, returned in 2005.
Of course, Julian is more than just the years he’s worked with us. The man who named his daughter for a character from Spike Lee’s Mo Better Blues, who spends his free time writing poetry and songs about diverse people from diverse backgrounds, and whose favorite band, Poor Righteous Teachers, hails from our own Trenton, New Jersey, also brings a sense of creativity, empathy, and dedication to our mission. “It’s not about the time spent at Anchor House,” he said. “It’s about how the time was spent at Anchor House. Anyone can do 20+ years doing something, but did they really give it their all while they were doing it? That’s the difference.”
That dedication carries over into his relationships with the youth at Anchor House. “Julian has always had a good rapport with our young people,” Jay Neiderman, Julian’s supervisor, said. “One of the things I think makes him really stand out here is the way he naturally steps in to that role model position that a lot of our youth appreciate.”
When asked to recall his favorite memory at Anchor House, Julian said there might be too many to choose from – but one of his favorite things about his time here is having the chance find out he made a difference. “Seeing a kid out in the area and having them remember something I’d said or done that may have helped them years later is always a special moment for me.” Shortly thereafter though, he did recall one memorable event…
“We were going deep sea fishing and a kid was bragging about how he would catch a shark. No more than a half hour later, that is exactly what he did. It was a baby shark!” Julian recounted. “He went from bragging to being afraid of the thing like the rest of us on the boat!”
Whether its catching up with former youth around town, rocking out to the Poor Righteous Teachers, or giving his all to help Anchor House accomplish its mission, Julian Fowler has been an invaluable part of the team. We’re proud to have had him, and so grateful for the way he brings his whole self to Anchor House!
