Reach & Rise
Sebastian Wise follows along during a Reach and Rise lesson with Smokey the therapy dog.
Butler YMCA provides youth group mentoring
Barks and drums are sounds that flow from the Butler YMCA's Reach and Rise mentoring room.
Here is a look at the 9-to-11-year-old age group session that took place in early October at the facility at 339 N. Washington St. that included therapy dogs and music therapy.
Butler YMCA's Reach and Rise group mentoring supports youths ages 8 to 15 who are challenged by obstacles on a daily basis.
Two adult mentors are matched with six youth mentees to provide group-based mentoring services and create healthy and meaningful relationships through therapeutically based activities in a public or community space.
Slippery Rock University music therapy students Elizabeth Ambrose, left, and Rachael Kovaly lead a dance party.
Breonah Johnston, left, and Vyolet Carlson participate in a group session at the Butler YMCA's Reach and Rise program.
Kate Eberle Cotter leads a group session.
Breonah Johnston raises her hand to answer a question during a session of the Reach and Rise program at the Butler YMCA.
Reach and Rise students do the worm during a dance session as part of the program's music therapy component at the Butler YMCA.
Caleb Elder reads over group goals during a Reach and Rise session at the Butler YMCA.
Bandit, one of Reach and Rise's therapy dogs, watches over a group session at the Butler YMCA.
