Welcome to The Edge!

What is The Edge?

The Edge is a certified 501(3)(c) non-profit organization*, operated by experienced mentors in southern Oregon, which addresses social problems that begin in middle and high schools and extend into our communities and our world. By demonstrating and inviting extraordinary honesty, we reach out to youth and help them develop greater emotional awareness.

Which social problems can be addressed this way? Racism, rankism, broken homes because of alcohol, drugs and abuse, bullying, body image, learning disorders, gangs, homelessness, hunger, cutting (self-mutilation), suicide, and others.

The Edge strives to create an opportunity for middle and high school kids to find their voice and express themselves in an appropriate and safe way, using a 3½-hour weekday morning workshop in a scholastic setting.

One of the consequences is trust, especially in the teachers and administrators, once they show their vulnerability themselves. It is crucial that there is no judgment, and that there is a collective agreement of no authority in the room, that we are all in this together. There is a high degree of confidentiality asked for. That part is up to the participants. The kids learn that they are not alone. They begin to accept themselves more, and each other.

And their grades go up.

The real magic happens when they start to share at the end of the morning workshop. From these sharings come many apologies, to each other and the teachers as well. There are several protocols. (Contact us for details.) The morning workshop has to be experienced to understand its edge, it's power.

We are in need of programs like this today because of the multitude of distractions and temptations that seem to grow like weeds in a world that has become as dangerous as it is challenging. We all need an Edge. This is one of them. It is free of charge, and comes from people that truly care. Follow up is also available. (Contact us for details.) Without risk, real change is too far away. We are on the precipice. Follow your heart.

Need someone to talk to? There may be resources in your community to help you through tough times. Dial “211” from any phone or visit http://211info.org to find out about helpful resources in your community.