Climb on! First Ascenders Climbing Program for Urban Teens

Way to go, Jonah! Great concept, great work! An excellent program for the young people-----and for all of Colorado.

Love this!!! In total support of the idea :)

Great idea!

good luck... cool idea

Love the project! Hope you guys win!

What an awesome idea!!

This is really cool you guys, great idea!

Great people make great things happen ... be the change!!

Love what you are doing! Self-confidence & resilience.. Keep up the good work!

Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program is very grateful for First Ascenders. First Ascenders took a group of our youth and gave them an experience that will have a positive impact on their lives forever. The simple act of taking our youth out of the urban city of Detroit and into beautiful nature of Colorado amazing for our youth. Thank you FIrst Ascenders for your dedication to your mission!! Keep up the good work!

Thanks for your good work

Wonderful project! Keep up the great work! M.klane

By request, I am casting my vote for www.bikeproject.org. Though I wish this organization well too. You appear to be well organized, as is the other that got my vote. You both appear to be well deserving groups. If I could, I'd provide personal funding as well to you both. If I ever strike it big, I'll keep you in mind. I do have a problem though with the concept that you are apparently limited to "under served" which is to say, in most cases, low income and/or urban areas. Our economy has seen and shown that it is not only the urban world that lacks for things as simple and necessary as a bicycle or the opportunity to rock climb. In fact, no longer (I hope) will people judge what one has or doesn't have or for that matter needs or doesn't need by geographic location. Learning to rock climb and think critically is as important to off-spring of well to do suburbanites as it is to urban youth at risk. Likewise, a bike to call your own, that works, and the skill to maintain it, is and should be an extremely important part of growing up, inner city, or in suburbia. What is even more important is that we stop assuming that because of where one lives, they do or don't have the means to obtain these things. I know, I'm living through it. Best to both organizations! Keep doing good, but doing it good!

The organizers of this program/project should hook up with the Children & Nature Network (if they haven't already...). A perfect fit in terms of philosophy and goals. Be sure to check out the "Natural Leaders Network"! www.childrenandnature.org Good luck!!

I've been working in non-profits serving low-income families for a few years, and I see this as a common trend. The lack of opportunity for self-esteem building activities among underserved youth only leads to a repetition of the cycle of poverty. Programs like this are much needed and well deserved for funding!

This program is truley unique in that I've seen kids transformed by their experience. Not only do they teach teamwork, perseverance, and patients, but your giving kids who never get a chance to escape to nature access to the outdoors in the best way possible. Kids have a lot of walls built up in their minds surrounding what they can or cannot accomplish, First Ascenders helps kids climb those walls both physically and mentally. A very cool business

Love this idea and love this organization...a vote well spent!

I personally know one of the Co-Founders and these are really genuine people. The world needs more of people like this.

The first ascenders program provides an amazing opportunity for today's youth to develop their personal fortitude. It has been amazing to see them in action!

I've seen First Ascenders in action and am AMAZED by how transforming rock climbing is for these kids. Vote for them!