Equinox Youth Outreach and Gaming

Posted by Margaret on Apr 21, 2013 in Nerd Misc. | 0 comments

Hey all, Margaret here with a quickie post. I have a couple good posts undergoing some serious writing right now, and then it’s off to our Editor Sue for some proofreading.

In the meantime, I wish to bring up Equinox Inc. and their Youth Outreach Center. This is a great after school program for young people and at-risk teens ages 13-24 with tons of good opportunities; they have tutors, cooking classes and dinners, and educational/entertainment programs. They’re also working on an art and music expressive arts program. Equinox also helps young people needing mental health services, reproductive health services, and even emergency and non-emergency housing through the Transitional Living Program.

And they offer gaming.

I have spoken with a few people in the Outreach Center about really bringing more attention to the gaming aspect of the center. I’ve recently pitched an RPG night idea to Rebecca Beeman, and I have spoken with Dan Pickel and Clenard Killikelly about an ongoing Games Drive for them.

First off, I want to ask that if anyone has any games to spare, it would help these guys out. Card games, board games, RPG books, controllers, anything– it will get used at the Outreach Center. I’m rooting through stuff at my place to see if there is anything I can find that they could take as long as it is in good condition. At the beginning of the year, I brought them some comic books and some fiction novels to look at, and some of that has been rather popular! I just brought them in person, but if any of you dear readers wish to send anything in the mail, you are more than welcome to address it to the Youth Outreach Center (or Attention: Dan Pickel– Clenard is no longer there), 95 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206. If you want to ask some questions about donations (or volunteer work!) you can contact Dan at dpickel@equinoxinc.org

Second thing, I reallyreallyreallyreally want to do an RPG night at the Outreach Center. Think of the variety of games they would get to play!  I have Windmill Games’ ADGNEPSEF555. I have World of Darkness stuff. Pathfinder. Dread scenarios. I think it would be really fun, and really interesting, to see how these young folks interact with different types of games. Gaming enriches the soul, and regular play teaches how to cooperate with a team and creatively think through all sorts of situations. Let’s see what they can bring to a gaming table!!

Finally– I want to hear from you guys. Got any gaming suggestions for Equinox! I would love to hear them!