Reaching Out to All in Need as “Neighbors”

13. November 2008 by admin.

Several years ago during a period of grave global conflict international peacekeeper and acclaimed poet Rabbi Harold Kushner penned the tribute to cultural tolerance and understanding that appears on this page. These words resonate with all of us at CBR YouthConnect.Healing through treatment, caring,togetherness, and commitment is an integral part of who we are and what we do. The final passage of the poem is especially meaningful—from the high bluffs of our Colorado campus one can, indeed, see “the mountains that teach our hearts to reach upward to heaven.” Although we all are different and some of us, including many of our youth, have experienced physical abuse, emotional neglect and ongoing hurt, we can benefit by reaching out and helping our neighbors. Sometimes a “neighbor” is a person on the other side of the world with different cultural values and perspectives but with similar dreams, goals and feelings. Sometimes, a “neighbor” is a person or family in need within our own communities. This year, CBR has embarked on an outreach program to deliver our special brand of therapy to at-risk youth and their families in communities beyond our High Plains ranch. One such program, Pawsitive Connection, in which troubled youth help train abandoned dogs for placement with disabled individuals, is described in this issue of the newsletter. Pawsitive Connection is just the beginning in what we hope will be an ongoing effort to reach out to our
“neighbors” in need—troubled youth, their families, guardians and caregivers—in communities throughout the nation.

— Vaughn Zimmerman, CBR YouthConnect

National Services Director

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