Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – By the time most people retire, they look back on the years and cannot begin to count the number of people they’ve impacted. For Shelter Manager Roger Chambers, that number is not only clear but stands at the forefront of his mind as he passes the reins to the next generation.

“973 since I’ve been here,” Chambers said. “Every one of us are here to make a difference in kids’ lives (and) to be a light in a dark world.”

Chambers was joined by current colleagues and old faces as his friends celebrated the work that he accomplished since his start at Family Connection in 2011 during a celebratory retirement party on Friday, Oct. 10, at Family Connection, located at 2 Walker Run, Alabaster, AL 35007.

“A lot of retirements are measured in years and things like that, and that’s great, but Roger can do a little more than that,” said David Bobo, president of the Family Connection Board of Directors and Advisory Council. “It’s really measured in the lives that he has touched and the lives that he has impacted through the years… You’ve made a tremendous impact on people and kids and families through the years. We appreciate your service so much.”

Chambers first got his start in helping youth by working with The DAY Program in 1985. Chambers made Family Connection a part of his journey to serve others in 2011 when he became an adolescent counselor in the Residential Youth Shelter. Eventually, he secured the title of residential shelter manager, where he served with compassion and dedication.

“When I came on board a little less than two years ago, I had zero idea what I was getting myself into,” Executive Director Jennifer Ellison said. “I was new, Jeremy (Raines) was new, and we were both completely overwhelmed, but fortunately, we had Roger. It became really apparent to me pretty quickly that Roger didn’t see this as a job, that he saw it as a calling and a mission and that he had a true passion for what he did.”

With his professional career complete, Chambers aims to continue being a good grandfather and to find more ways to continue to help local youth through being a school bus driver and substitute for the Shelby County Schools Board of Education.

“While this may be the end of Roger’s chapter with Family Connection, we are certain it’s not the end of his story,” read an official post by Family Connection. “We know his next chapter will be just as meaningful and impactful as the one he’s written here.”

Family Connection is a nonprofit organization that has served Shelby County for 49 years and delivers crisis intervention, shelter and support services to youth in need. Those interested in learning more about the organization may visit Familyconnection-inc.org or visit the nonprofit’s official Facebook page at Facebook.com/FamilyConnectionAL.