Monday evening, a parlor meeting was held for Project Extreme at the home of Simcha Wenger. Project Extreme is an organization founded about 10 years ago for the purpose of Kiruv K’rovim, of helping teens-at-risk turn themselves around and have a second chance at life.
 
The founder and director, Rabbi A.Y. Weinberg, (son of Reb Motel Weinberg ZTZ”L of the Montreal Yeshiva) spoke to those assembled in his sincere and direct manner, explaining the challenges faced and the proven methods that are being used to actually save some lives and improve many others, helping both boys and girls, in separate programs, to halt dangerous lifestyles and rethink their behaviors, helping many to become healthy, wholesome and stable young men and women.
 
Attendees were riveted by the emotional speech, candidly imparted by a local Lakewood young man who was a former Project Extreme teen. By looking at him and hearing him, with his obvious maturity and fine Midos, one would be startled to think that he had  gone through such hard times as a teen. The Hakaras Hatov that he felt was palpable, and everyone present felt a debt of appreciation to all those who are sacrificing so much to make sure these teens get back on course and lead normal lives, reconnecting to family, friends and community.
 
Many of us may be unaware of how widespread and debilitating the teens-at-risk challenges are. An inspirational video was shown which depicted some of the challenges our generation faces, along with interesting clips of the innovative programs that Project Extreme has designed to combat these challenges, which include summer programs, Shabbatons and Yom Tov programs, “nights on the town”, follow- up by dedicated staff, and finally, the establishment of a Jewish residential, therapeutic school for girls, MIRYAM GHERMEZIAN ACADEMY, the first of its kind in North America.
 
For more info, visit www.projectextreme.org/chai.