Mustard Seed School Gets Noticed

Recently a community group that we see at Sacramento Pipeworks on a regular basis, Mustard Seed School, was featured both on the national NBC Nightly News and on the Today Show.

Teacher Madelyn Hall writes: "I just wanted to forward a link to both the Nightly News and Today Show which had Pipeworks footage. (Pipeworks) is such an important part of their experience at school, I am really glad it got included. The other day I was thinking about all that has happened since the beginning of the school year. The kids were so scared to come down from a climb that they would cling to the wall with fear, and now they rappel down like pros and pretend they are on a swat team. It makes such a big difference to them to be able to trust in a world where they have to second guess everything. Thank you again for a wonderful year. We truly enjoyed the time spent at Pipeworks!"

Thanks again,
Madelyn Hall
4th-5th Grade Teacher


April 12: A dramatic rise in the number of homeless families is placing new
importance on an innovative program that offers aid to children caught in
desperate situations. NBC’s Chris Jansing reports. (Nightly News)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/30180778#30180778

and similar footage on the Today Show

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/#30151685

Labels: Community Group, Mustard Seed School, NBC Nightly News, Sacramento Pipeworks, Today Show

  ¶ Thursday, June 18, 2009 0 Comments

  Mission High School visits Mission Cliffs
A group of teenagers from all over the city (Bayview, Hunter’s Point, Portrero Hill, Mission, the Sunset, and Richmond Districts) visits a climbing wall for the first time. After learning to tie their figure 8 knots in class, they got to put their newfound skills to the challenge. Most were reluctant to climb, being afraid of heights, but with the help of some belayers and desk staff Sherry, the students were thoroughly enjoying themselves by the end of the day. Here are what some students had to say about their experience.

Alejandro says, “I overcame my fear of heights and had a great time doing it.”

“I also learned that someone’s always there to catch you.” –Jesvy

Edgardo says he has already recommended it to his mother.

“The experience really leveled the playing field for the students. Some students who have never had a chance to shine in the classroom, finally got a chance to do so while climbing” says Mr. Lau.

This unique experience would not have been possible without the charitable contributions of Mission Cliffs, which is dedicated to giving back to the community.

“As teens would say ‘I had a popping time, and this is not my last time going.’” -Mikesha

Labels: Community Group, mission cliffs, Mission High School

  ¶ Wednesday, June 10, 2009 0 Comments

  OASES Group Gives Great Testimonial
A few weeks back we were lucky to host another fantastic community group at our Great Western Power Co. gym and we just heard back from the group that came. The group, OASES is a community group that has a clear mission to "empower youth who have limited resources, particularly those in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities of Oakland, to maximize their potential through educational services and social support. "

They came to our GWPC location for a day of climbing and fun and by the sounds of things, both of those goals were completely met, and surpassed. Here's what they had to say back to us:

Thank you, Great Western Power Company for helping to organize and facilitate such a wonderful Rock Climbing adventure for our girls sports program at OASES! The gym staff was incredibly welcoming, patient, and supportive working with the girls. Of the 18 girls who climbed, only a few had experienced rock-climbing before. In the days leading up to the fieldtrip, there was a huge range of emotions within our group: some girls were so excited and counted down the days, while others grew more and more afraid and intimidated. Even though many girls were frightened, the atmosphere of the gym was laid-back enough that all of the girls felt confident to climb a few routes, and many made it to the top! By the end, all of the girls wanted to stay longer, especially those who had been the most afraid!

The fieldtrip to GWPC was the highlight of our semester working with girls in sports. It offered our students a chance to succeed individually and to be supportive as a team. For our students who rarely venture outside of Oakland Chinatown, going to a rock-climbing gym is a unique opportunity that we are all grateful to be a part of.

In our students’ words:

“It was the best part when I reach to the top.” -Tina, 3rd grade

“People inspired me to go higher and I did.” -Hillari, 5th grade

“It was pretty scary when I touched the rocks, but I wasn’t so scared after I tried it.” -Theresa, 4th grade

“The best part is climbing the rock.” -- Cecilia, 3rd grade.

Thank you GWPC!!!

Thank You everyone at OASES. We hope you continue to make us part of your progam's future plans!

Labels: Community Group, Great Western Power Co., kids, OASES, Testimonial

  ¶ Wednesday, May 20, 2009 0 Comments

  Life Project at Berkeley Ironworks
At the end of February, our Berkeley Ironworks gym hosted an amazing event known as Life Project. From 4-6pm the Life Project took place with 12 participants. Life Project, is a mentoring organization that provides mentors for children of incarcerated parents. The project helps deal with issues that surround parental incarceration and helps provide the children with group events that focus on leadership, as well as issues of incarceration.

Bottom line, the Berkeley Ironworks staff was amazing, and here was a testimonial from the day:

"The Ironworks staff once again came though! Out kids loved climbing on all the different walls and learning how to put on the harness. They already can't wait to come back. Each of your staff members worked to make each kid feel comfortable and reach their goals. We appreciate you providing this opportunity to out kids. Without your generous support they may have missed this experience. Thank you to each of you, for all that you do."

Thank YOU, it was a great day, and a great experience for everyone.

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, Charity, Community Group, Events, Life Project

  ¶ Tuesday, April 28, 2009 0 Comments

  Sacramento Pipeworks Gets Great Testimonial
Welcome back to the work week. Monday kicks off with Sacramento Pipeworks getting a great testimonial from a community group they recently hosted in their gym. Looks like everyone had a great time and most importantly, a whole lot was learned by all.

The group, called SKYLAB, is a community group that strives to better the lives of youth by giving them a safe harbor to figure out exactly who they are. According to the testimonial they sent, SKYLAB "believes that youth are valuable assets with important ideas, and therefore seeks to provide a safe, creative, nurturing space in which children can pursue their own interests as well as work together to ask questions and present creative solutions to community problems." We couldn't agree more and all of us at Touchstone Climbing agree that children are the most valuable assets. At any rate, here's what some of the kids had to say:

• Christina (11, first time going) said: “Rock climbing was perfect and interesting. I was surprised when I got further past the green and pink rock than I thought that I could. I felt safe, supported and not gonna fall.”
• Dale (9) “I went mostly on all of the walls. When I felt most scared I remembered my past good experiences rock climbing.”
• Mikael (first time going) “I didn’t like the harness but I liked the climbing rope [exercise rope].”
• Jasmine (8) “I had fun. When I was scared I got over the fear by pushing on.”
• Emma (18, Student Intern) “I saw all of the kids finish the day going twice as high as they were in the morning. It was really neat to see.”

Thanks again for a great time and we're looking forward to working with you more in the upcoming future!

Labels: climbing, Community Group, kids, Sacramento Pipeworks, SKYLAB

  ¶ Monday, April 27, 2009 0 Comments

  Alliance Academy Stops By Great Western Power Co.
For the last 3 years our Great Western Power Co. gym has been lucky enough to host an awesome group that brings great students and a great attitude. The group recently stopped by and we were lucky enough to hear back from one of their teachers on this year's version of their annual trip. Alliance Academy stopped by for some climbing and we just heard back.

Nevertheless, a great time was had and according to Rachel Hellesto, a teacher at Alliance, they will be coming back in the future for even more climbing and learning experiences. Here's what she had to say in her testimonial to us:

"I teach 8th grade at Alliance Academy on 98th Ave in East Oakland. Students at are school love to be active, but they live in an unsafe neighborhood and often have nowhere to go after school besides home. For the past 3 years students at our school have been climbing at Great Western Power Company and Ironworks. Taking our students climbing is a chance for our students to be exposed to something outside East Oakland. When I took my students on the bus to the gym, it was the first time one of them had been to downtown Oakland, even though he's grown up about 8 miles away. Climbing gives students self-confidence, teaches them about teamwork (I love to hear them cheer for each other as they reach the top), and it gives them a safe and positive place to be after school. Thanks for giving our students this great opportunity!"

-Rachel Hellesto, teacher.

Thanks Rachel and thanks to everyone at Alliance for the day. Can't wait to see you back again soon!

Labels: Alliance Academy, Community Group, Events, Great Western Power Co., Touchstone Climbing

  ¶ Friday, April 24, 2009 0 Comments

  Berkeley Ironworks Hosts Next Generation Scholars
The end of March brought a great event into our Berkeley Ironworks location. We're still waiting on an official testimonial from the group, but nevertheless, by the looks of the photo and hearing from those that were at the event, it was both educational and extremely fun.

At any rate, on March 29th, 18 teenagers from a group called "Next Generation Scholars," stopped by for a day out. During their visit to Berkeley Ironworks they learned to both climb, and belay for the very first time. "Next Generation Scholars" is an organization that serves underprivileged college-bound Marin-based high school students. Megan, the Program Coordinator, was quick to describe the event and the day they spent with us as "rewarding" and that she looks "forward to working with you again in the future."

Thanks for hosting your event with us, we can't wait to have you back and look forward to hearing

Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, community, Community Group, kids, Next Generation Scholars

  ¶ Tuesday, April 21, 2009 0 Comments

  Mission Cliffs Hosts Bridgemont High
At the end of February, Mission Cliffs was lucky enough to play host to a great community group, and as you probably can guess by now, doing this is one of our favorite things. At any rate, our Mission Cliffs gym became the site of a surprise mystery event for Bridgemont High School and everyone had an amazing time.

They were kind enough to send us over a testimonial for our site, and even some student quotes from the day they spent climbing all over the walls at MC. Here's what they all had to say:

Bridgemont High School –Mystery Day @ Mission Cliffs

Rock climbing at Mission Cliffs became their surprise mystery event. The honor students were awarded with a day of adventure, but didn’t know what they were going to do.

We brought our students here both as a reward and as a challenge. A reward because these are our honor roll students from the fall semester. A challenge because city kids don’t often have the opportunity to climb up rocks, work their muscles, and overcome mental barriers. As they participated in this, they became increasingly aware that reaching the top is between them and themselves. It was neat to see these students encouraging and challenging each other. Today our kids overcame.

Tyler Smith & Robin Umos
Bridgemont


Student quotes:
“It was amazing to make the top. It made me feel good.” -Hamine Y.
“It’s something I haven’t done in awhile; don’t do normally. It tests me mentally and physically.” –Jose J.
“It made me face my fear of heights.” –Azar A.
“I learned to keep my arms straight and stay concentrated.” –Chia S.
“It’s a challenge between you and yourself to see if you can actually go further”. –Briana J.

Thanks again everyone involved, looks like it went great and we hope you include us in your mystery events in the future!

Labels: Bridgemont High School, community, Community Group, Events, mission cliffs

  ¶ Wednesday, April 15, 2009 0 Comments

  Mission Cliffs Hosts Guadalupe Elementary School
At our Mission Cliffs gym recently, we were lucky enough to play host to a great community group that actually has close ties to Touchstone Climbing. Kent Schmitz, a part-time course setter for us in the summer and employee of Touchstone Climbing for over a decade brought by his 5th Grade class from Guadalupe Elementary School to do some climbing and enjoy a day in the gym.

Everything went great and it looks like a good time was had by all. Here's a bit of what Kent had to say about their day in Mission Cliffs:

"Indoor Climbing is such a unique experience for the students of Guadalupe Elementary. Most of my students would have had difficult time experiencing climbing at Mission cliffs without your donation. Almost all of the students that Guadalupe Elementary serves qualify for the state’s free lunch program. Without your help, I think that indoor rock climbing would not be affordable for the families of my students.

I was able to share my love for climbing with 31 of my students and 2 parents. Every one of my students tried their best and even the parents got to attempt climbing. Indoor rock climbing is valuable experiential learning for any child. It is lots of fun and helps to teach self-confidence, goal acquisition, and helps the students to conquer their fears.

I have been climbing for many years and this trip is a way for my students to experience what their teacher makes references to throughout the year. I find that success in climbing is analogous to success in many aspects of life. Therefore, when I teach, I often refer to climbing in my daily lessons. I believe that my students’ climbing experience at Mission Cliffs helps them to understand that with self-confidence and hard work, they will succeed at what ever they try.

In addition, and the part I believe is the most valuable, is that these students face their fear of heights. Facing one’s fears is an extremely important lesson for success in school and in life. When a student successfully faces their fear and succeeds, the life lesson is extremely valuable. They realize that with effort, hard work, and trust anything is possible.

On a personal level, I enjoy being remembered by my students as the 5th grade teacher who took them rock climbing. I have heard more then once from my students that the Mission Cliffs field trip was the “best field trip” they had ever been on. This is a field trip that my students will remember the rest of their life.

My students and I had a wonderful time. Thanks!"

Head over and check out the photo gallery from their day. Thanks again everyone involved, we're looking forward to your next visit!

Labels: Community Group, Events, Guadalupe Elementary School, kids, mission cliffs

  ¶ Wednesday, April 08, 2009 0 Comments

  GWPC Hosts Annual Corpus Christi Community Group
Once a year at Great Western Power Co. we host a community group that includes students from Corpus Christi. They come after looking forward to the trip all year, and each year the next batch of students looks forward to the same trip. Recently, the waiting paid off and they got their time at GWPC, we were lucky enough to hear from teacher, and member, Marea Palmer-Loh about what it means to them, and why they do it.

Here's what she had to say as to why she brings her kids to GWPC each and every year:

"I love climbing with kids at the Great Western Power Co. The staff are helpful and knowledgeable, and they make sure that the experience is safe and fun! Rock climbing is a great way to teach children self-esteem and gives them a sense of accomplishment. I love climbing myself, so it's particularly nice to be able to share that love with children in such a supportive environment."

At any rate, thanks for making us a part of your year, thanks for a great trip, and we're looking forward to seeing you all next year!

Labels: Community Group, Great Western Power Co., GWPC, Testimonial

  ¶ Tuesday, April 07, 2009 0 Comments

  RES Visits Diablo Rock Gym Diablo Rock Gym recently saw a community group come through it's doors and by all accounts it looks like everything went perfectly. The group was called RES Success, or Redefining Educational Services and after their visit they were nice enough to send over a few photos and a card. We were lucky to have you guys.

Here's a little bit more about RES Success:

For close to two decades, RES SUCCESS (Redefining Educational Services) has provided developmentally disabled individuals with a safe, supportive, and beautiful environment in which to learn and grow. We believe passionately that every person, regardless of how they were born, deserves to lead a fulfilling life and reach their own personal potential.

Our multiple locations in Northern California provide specially-designed behavioral modification and community inclusion programs in an exceptional environment. Students in our day programs participate in a variety of enriching experiences, such as attending classes at Diablo Valley College, preparing for meaningful employment, and participating in some of the diverse activities that the Bay Area has to offer like the Museum of Modern Art, the local farmer's market, or a game of bocce ball.

RES SUCCESS uses a clinically proven model of care that helps students work towards a common goal of independence and self reliance. Our successful approach also provides significant savings to the State of California.

Thanks again to everyone, we hope to have you again in the future!

Labels: Community Group, Diablo Rock Gym, Groups, kids, RES Success, Testimonial

  ¶ Wednesday, March 25, 2009 0 Comments

  GWPC & The Davis Street Family Resource Center
Here's a quick one about a recent community group that we were lucky enough to spend the day with at our Great Western Power Co. location, the Davis Street Family Resource Center. In the first year of opening, GWPC has actually invited a number of community groups that are based in and around the Oakland area to visit the gym at a reduced rate. Doing this, has allowed many underprivileged and at-risk kids to experience climbing for the first time. A few weeks ago, the Davis Street Family Resource Center stopped in and had an event and a great time.

After their visit, they were nice enough to send back a little letter about the time they spent in our gym, and as always, we love hearing back from the groups we host. Here's what Alicia Ohs, their Lead Prevention Specialist had to say:

"At Davis Street Family Resource Center, we've taken two field trips to Great Western Power Company. As part of our Alcohol and Drug Prevention Programs, climbing gives our students a lesson in trust and respect that they don't learn anywhere else. It's an amazing opportunity to try on a new 'high' that offers communication, teamwork, adrenaline, and fun. GWPC has been unbelievably supportive and helpful in this process to expose a new generation of youth to the benefits of climbing." - Alicia Ohs Lead Prevention Specialist

Thanks again, and we hope to see you again sometime in the future!

Labels: Community Group, Great Western Power Co., GWPC, kids, Testimonial

  ¶ Tuesday, March 17, 2009 0 Comments

  Sacramento Pipeworks Gets Testimonial
Today brings some good news and a great testimonial for our Pipeworks Gym. We here at Touchstone Climbing like to post these letters of testimonial just to give an additional little thanks to those that are thanking us.

Cara Ryan, who has been working at Women's Empowerment for the last 10 months, wrote in and let us know exactly how coming and climbing at our gyms affected each and everyone that took part in it. Check out her letter to us, and again, thank you for all of our great community groups that come in, we love having you.

Dear Pipeworks Gym,

I have spent the last ten months working at Womenʼs Empowerment. I am here through a one-year post graduate volunteer program, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. One of my responsibilities here at Womenʼs Empowerment has been taking our clients to your gym every Friday morning. I know that looking back on this year my Friday mornings at Pipeworks will be one of my fondest memories.

It has been a pleasure watching the women become more physically fit. One of our clients used to exercise faithfully. She was very health conscious and used to belong to a local gym. However, when she left her abusive partner, she became homeless and could no longer afford a gym membership. By the time she graduated from our program she seemed like a different woman. Her body was leaner and her muscles stronger, but more noticeable was her vastly improved self-confidence. I know that this was in large part due to her time at your gym.

Other Womenʼs Empowerment clients who come to Pipeworks cannot work out as strenuously. Their bodies are weak from years on the streets, past addictions, and age. But spending time at Pipeworks is special for them as well. The opportunity to come to one of the nicest gyms in Sacramento and to be treated exactly the same as paying clients has reminded them of their value and worth.

Two women who accompanied me to Pipeworks regularly one session developed a valuable friendship. They had never talked to each other in class, but both liked to work out every Friday. For them, Pipeworks was a sanctuary away from the drama of the streets surrounding Loaves & Fishes. Every Friday we would stretch, do sit-ups and crunches, exercise on a few machines, and then the two women would spend the last fifteen minutes in the sauna. This was their favorite part of the morning. In the sauna they would talk about their recovery and offer each other support and advice. They felt comfortable offering each other this support in the sauna because it was a peaceful, quiet, and safe space.

By giving Womenʼs Empowermentʼs students the chance to workout at your gym on Friday mornings, you have provided them with stronger, healthier bodies, but you also have provided them with a safe place to build self-confidence and friendships.

Sincerely,

Cara Ryan

Labels: Community Group, Sacramento Pipeworks, Testimonial, Women's Empowerment

  ¶ Thursday, March 12, 2009 0 Comments

  Great Testimonials From Recent Sacramento Pipeworks Community Group
Sacramento Pipeworks recently hosted a community group, Options for Youth, at our gym and we were fortunate enough to hear back from them with a photo and a testimonial.

The students came and had a day of climbing at Pipeworks and the day was such a success that it looks like they signed up for one day a month of climbing excursions. Check out the letter we received from Brad Astin, the Master Teacher at Options for Youth:

"I wanted to thank you for having our students come climb at Pipeworks. We had class with the students yesterday and they were very excited about the last climbing trip and pumped to hear that we expanded the dates to one per month for future climbing outings. They are already talking about how they are going to climb harder routes! Going into the first climbing outing many of the students were unsure of themselves and how they would perform on the wall. Now all they are much more confident and looking forward to the next challenge. This confidence is carrying over into the classroom as well. These students are more outspoken and participate more in class discussions than they had before. We have also seen increased teamwork and academic performance from these students as well. They know that climbing and participating in the Outdoor Experience program is a privilege and they are taking the responsibility very seriously. Thank you very much for your involvement with our students and our program. We look forward to a continued relationship with Pipeworks."

We were happy to have you and look forward to seeing you again in the future!

Labels: climbing, community, Community Group, Groups, Options for Youth, Sacramento Pipeworks

  ¶ Thursday, February 19, 2009 0 Comments