This community-base Radical Reno is all about the youth and giving them a leg up, a fighting chance at an empowered and passionate life. But who are these youth? What are they like? What difference is Threshold making? To answer these questions I wanted to connect with the staff and the young people.
Victoria’s Mayor Dean Fortin talking about Threshold.
For this reason I’ll be interviewing board members, staff, and hanging out with the youth. Yesterday I got to do multiple interviews as well as have a meal with the kids and participate in a sharing circle.
Rebekah Humphrey discussing her role as a youth mentor
My day started with an interview with the mayor, Dean Fortin, who relayed his respect for Threshold and the importance of reaching young people before they end up on the streets. Then (with my friend Michael Tension) I got to interview Rebekah Humphrey, the worker who supervises the youth at Holly House–the house for young ladies. Next I had the privilege of going to Mitchell House to meet Graham Kelly, Peggy English, and a wide array of youth. After getting to know each other, we sat down “family-style” and enjoyed a big pot of youth-made chilli and delicious corn bread. So tasty! When dinner was done and the dishes were washed, we all gathered in the living room for a sharing circle, where the staff and youth shared some of their experiences in the Threshold program. My heart opened to these youth. I was honoured by their honesty and their words. Threshold has changed their lives and given them a chance to make something of themselves. After yesterday my commitment level jumped to another level. In the end this is for the kids, for the young men and women who have mustered the courage to overcome their trauma and challenges. One youth said, “There’s that old saying that you get to pick your friends but not your family. Well, Threshold is the family you get to pick!” Kudos to the ED Mark Muldoon and all the board members for shepherding this amazing organization. Together we’re going to make this new building safe, sustainable, and beautiful so that many more youth can be lifted up for decades to come. Stay tuned for a short video we’re producing in which you’ll get to see and hear the youth and parts of their stories. Please leave a comment and tell us how you feel about all this 🙂
Youth and staff at a Threshold sharing circle.
