Point Break delivering Hope to Kids in Sch'dy

This week we hosted three powerful Point Break sessions for Schenectady HS freshmen, as we work our way through the entire class. The fast paced day of games, discussions and teaching times keeps the kids engaged and learning crucial honest communication skills.

Each day seems to bring with it a different group of kids who are struggling with slightly different issues in their lives. One day, 90% of the room stepped forward saying that "Drugs or alcohol are or have been a problem in my family". Another day, 80% shared that they had seen domestic violence in their home. And a third day brought a group in which 75% had seriously considered hurting themselves by cutting, burning or other means as a way to deal with the pain in their lives.

In total this week, we hosted 215 students at our City Life Center, and by the end of the week, 16 of those had stepped forward to let their peers, teachers and guidance councilors know that they have a current plan for taking their lives and desire help.

Giving kids this outlet for taking off their masks and being real with the struggles and the pains in their lives allows them to begin the healing process, and we are so honored to be in a position to help kids address these deep wounds and to find hope.

Archaeological Survey reveals a Pre-Contact site

Wandering through the property right now is like floating through a sea of pink flags. Fifty feet in any direction is another pink flag and a little pile of dirt.

Our Edge climbing gym manager, Adam Catalano, arrived at the site on Monday around lunchtime to catch up with the archaelogical survey crew. After wandering for 15-20 minutes, he finally found them, nearly finished with what seems like several days worth of work.

Tracy, the foreman on the project, revealed that the test pits had uncovered three chert flakes, evidence that Native Americans had spent some time here making cutting tools and hunting as animals came down to the creek for a drink.

What does this mean???? Well, fortunately, the site is in the corner of what will be our parking lot, so if we give that area a 25' buffer and leave it undisturbed, we can move along with clearing land and erecting the building.

PRAISE GOD!

Keep checking back for pictures and documentation of the progress. We'll now race to get a slab in before the hard freeze.