<p>Thank you Rhianon - that's excellent feedback. Yes, I hope to make this the beginning of many posts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>so many thoughts and comments to respond...</p>

<p>First off, one thing we are working through is learning how to support a kid with certain needs (maybe he needs a board or shoes)&nbsp;in a way that gives dignity and support without perpetuating or&nbsp;creating a harmful environment of entitlement. Know what I mean?</p>

<p>We've been getting donations from our local VANS retailer and it would be super easy to give them all away each month. However, we are asking if this is really the best way. Any resources or insight here?</p>

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<p>Second, we're also working to empower and train our older skaters to be great mentors. We have a base-line "code of conduct" we've outlined for a healthy and thriving skate-scene, but one challenge is that there is little we can do to stop an older skater from befriending or mentoring without our training or guidance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In one sense - it's a success of the work we've been doing for the past few years that an older kid is even interested in making a positive difference in a young kid's life. But at the same time - we have little control over what the older kid is talking about or modeling when we're not all together.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At this point, our approach is to keep inspiring and training the older guys we see doing the mentoring/befriending of the younger kids, but if an older guy says, "F#%!$ that! I just wanna skate and do it my way." What can be done to protect that young kid (if needed)?</p>

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<p>Thanks again!</p>

<p>-s</p>
