West End House Teens enjoyed the Blue Hills!
On President’s Day, ten teens from West End House participated in a “Learn to ski” program at Blue Hills Ski Area. For these young people, many of whom had never skied before, this trip offered more than just an exciting adventure—it gave them the chance to go outside their comfort zone and overcome new challenges.
While temperature was in the single digits and the wind was formidable, our young people were undeterred. After a morning lesson and a group lunch, the teens and Arik took to the hill. For some, gliding down the hill represented not just a physical journey but a personal one, pushing themselves to overcome fears and build resilience. Learning how to ski, mastering the “pizza/french fries” (also known as snowplow and parallel skiing), and the inevitable falls and getting back up provided an important lesson on the value of perseverance and self-confidence.
This experience also had a life-affirming impact for these teens. It reminded them that they are capable of more than they may think they are, that there are no limits to what they can achieve.
This was an opportunity for our young people to break out of their routine and gain new perspectives and to form lasting memories that will inspire them to pursue new goals and interests, and to gain appreciation of the world beyond their urban surroundings. For many, this was not just a ski trip—it was a reminder that life is full of new experiences and opportunities, and that they can overcome new challenges that come their way.
We want to thank Arik Colbath for making this opportunity happen for our young people. This is the second year Arik has raised funds from friends and family to make this experience available, and we are grateful for his efforts and generosity.
