By Roy Notowitz, Partner - Generator Group
Through our involvement in non-profit boards, we were able to facilitate a partnership between Big City Mountaineers (BCM) and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Pacific Northwest (BBBS).
BCM is a runs a special youth development program to bring the great outdoors to kids that might not otherwise have the chance. They specialize in "pairing urban kids with adult mentors".
Big Brother Big Sisters, founded in 1904, is the nation's oldest and largest youth mentoring organization.
We recently received the following note from Patricia Edge, the VP of Programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters. These stories are always heartwarming and it is interesting to read about how the trip was so empowering for the at risk youth participants.
If you feel moved after reading these stories, you can participate in helping to raise funds to offset the transportation costs associated with the BCM trips. Contact Patricia Edge at Big Brothers Big Sisters at (503) 249-4859 or by email, patricia.edge@bbbs.org.
"Dear Roy and Enrique,
Thank you again for helping us develop our new partnership with Big City Mountaineers, the organization that guides urban youth through wilderness experiences. Our first trip took place in July at which time we took three of our teenage girls up to the Alpine Lakes / Wenatchee National Forests for an intensive week long backpacking adventure. As agreed, I personally participated in this first trip - to effectively launch this partnership, and to insure the safety of our girls. It is difficult to express the significant impact this trip had on our girls; in the words of one mother I checked in with recently, her daughter "had still not stopped talking about it daily"! This shy young woman began the trip with basically no confidence in her ability to handle the trip. Each day I watched her grow into a leadership position with the other girls and by the end of the trip she was awarded the "Future Mountaineer" award for leadership. The boost to her self esteem and confidence level was evident daily as she mastered her wilderness skills.
The second young woman on the trip has unfortunately spent years in the foster care system. She presented as the classic kid who believes she "is not wanted by anyone". Her family has struggled with serious issues that include methamphetamine addiction and subsequent incarceration as well as the domestic violence. These difficulties resulted in her eventual placement in the foster care system. This young woman expressed such surprise that we would even invite her and believe in her ability to manage the intensiveness of the trip. She met the physical demands of the backpacking experience, as well as the emotional demands placed on her throughout the week - fear (2 bears!), frustration, and learning to trust new friends to support and protect her. She was so attached to the team by week's end, we had a hard time convincing her she had to go back to her foster home.
The third teen also has a parent struggling with methamphetamine addiction who is currently incarcerated in Eastern Oregon. She does not get to see her dad too often but reported that she prays for his successful recovery. This girl participates in therapy due to the many stressors this family experiences and her inability to get along with her mom. She also has a history of self medicating to manage her emotions and brought along many over the counter drugs she felt she might need daily. The first thing she said to her mom was "I only had to take one Benadryl the whole time I was gone, Mom, and I REALLY missed you!!" They were last seen crying and hugging in our parking lot. I have just sent her pictures of the trip so she can share them with her family.
These are just a few of the stories about our week together. Just imagine what their experience was in the wilderness, relying only on the skills they learned and the relationships they built along the way with one another, our Big Sister who generously gave of her time, and with our fearless, expert leader from Big City Mountaineers. The skills she was able to teach these girls will last a lifetime, many of which can be applied to their day to day living.
We will be having a "reunion hike" in September this year with our full team. Our second trip left this morning - this time with four girls attending. If I had the time at work, I would have gladly attended the second trip to witness the power this trip has on the individual participants. We look forward to future trips with Big City Mountaineers in the years to come. We found their staff to be professional, flexible, and mission driven - guided by your colleague, Mark Godley, Executive Director Big City Mountaineers."
Thank you again.
Patricia Edge, LCSW
VP of Programs
Roy & EW:
Just read this story today - Very touching, to say the least. Strikes a deep chord with me; I'm a firm believer in wilderness therapy.
Keep up the great blog!
John Fortner
Forever Fan of GG
Posted by: John | August 24, 2007 at 04:59 PM