Peers provides a bonding experience that is purposive in that it reaches out through its trips and videos to tell other teens that they are not alone, that others have been there before, and that there are better ways and the possibility of better days ahead. The Peers metaphor is a healthy one, especially in today's world. Unlike armies and sports teams that come together, and bond together, for the purpose of destroying other armies or sports teams, Peers students come together, joyously quite often, to do some good by helping other teens. The focus is on work, creativity, exploration, learning and cooperation. It is about connecting and sharing and enjoying, when so many of us are all about winning and isolation (the lone hero). Abuse, whether it is of drugs, alcohol, and/or of others, is a distorted way of feeling better when one is hurting. The Peers young people produce real products: video productions that are shown around the country that they can be proud of, and friendships both locally and in states such as Oklahoma, California, Arizona, Oregon, and Brooklyn (Brooklyn is a state, no?) Frank Reale together with Pat Cassio and Buck Heller brought Peers into existence. What astounds me is just how few people here in Putnam Valley and the surrounding area (and that includes local school districts) are aware of this marvelous organization. I personally would trade all the millions of dollars and man hours spent on local sports for just one Peers group, it does so much more good.
Michael Sklaar