Dear Friends of YFC,
Do you remember your junior high or high school years? When you think back on those times, what comes to mind? Do recall fond memories or do you cringe at remembering some very challenging and often painful events?
Many students today bring a wide variety of pain and problems with them to school. They feel alone, they feel rejected and they feel that no one cares for them, even though they may have a few friends. The pain in their life is often so strong that they resort to harming themselves or others to try to deal with it.
The freshmen class at S. Colonie High School recently dealt with that pain and loneliness in a series of four Point Break anti-bullying programs. As they went through the day, they met some of their pain face to face. Toward the end of the day, the Point Break staff encouraged students to talk openly about their experience in front of their peers. Over and over, they shared things like:
"Today has been a Point Break moment for me. I'm going to change who I am."
"I'm so sorry for the pain and hurt I've caused so many."
"I want to thank _____ (friend's name) for always being there for me."
"I know I'm not alone in what I'm dealing with."
One senior girl who attended along with the freshmen class said that she wished there was a program like Point Break when she started high school. She share that she witnessed several senior boys slam an underclassman into a wall just a few days into this school year - and she said and did nothing about it. She said she should have, but she didn't. She challenged the freshmen not to make the same mistake.
Now, one half of the students at S. Colonie have gone through Point Break. One half of the students can make a lasting difference on their entire school culture!
That's just one of the reasons why we do what we do.
As you've seen in recent emails from YFC, our Annual Banquets are coming up November 13, 17 & 20 at the new Adventure Center in Halfmoon. These nights will provide us with a celebration of what God has done to bring the facility about and what He's going to do with it to help us reach more lost kids! I hope you will join us. You can contact our office via the information below if you are interested in attending.
The area of the new facility that will be opening soon is The Edge Halfmoon Climbing Gym. You can follow it's opening both on Facebook and through The Edge Website. The photo below shows what you'll see when you walk into the gym.
These are exciting times for us and they are VERY busy times, too. Your prayers for strength and wisdom for me and our staff are so needed. Thank you so much for standing with us in prayer, in financial support and as you share YFC's ministry with others. I am so grateful for your partnership to reach lost kids here in the Capital Region.
For the kids,
John Richmond, Executive Director
CDYFC
