Crissie Ponciano, San Francisco's YMCA Director of Teen Programs, has been working on what seemed to be a never-ending project for years. The light at the end of the tunnel has just shone through! Crissie's mission was to administer the "FLEX" Skateboard program at the YMCA that will start this summer and continue after school and weekends throughout the year. Crissie's prayers where answered when the head of a nearby playground allowed the YMCA to setup the ramps and rails on the premise. Kudos to Cabrillo Playground (the administrator's son skates, so she understood the need)!

The YMCA is located on 18th Avenue, near Geary Blvd in the Richmond District of San Francisco. The Purple Skunk is 4.5 blocks away, making us the neighborhood skate shop. Crissie approached me in the summer of 2005 to ask for our assistance to help promote and support this skateboard program. The YMCA received enough funding to have ramps and rails made and a shed to keep all the equipment safe under lock and key. Crissie came to me for help in obtaining equipment and safety gear for the teenagers.

The FLEX Skateboard program initially is for teenagers ONLY and is only offered to beginner skaters. If proven successful, the YMCA may offer it to younger participants. The participant will learn the fundamentals and techniques of skateboarding at the YMCA, along with safety. But, more importantly, the participant will learn encouragement, teamwork, responsibility, relationship and skill building, community involvement and values of caring, respect and honesty. This is what the teen program at the YMCA stands for (and everyday life at the Skunk is), but now Crissie and her staff are able to combine their efforts in building the leaders of tomorrow with skateboarding.

Crissie plans to have field trips to the Purple Skunk to teach the participants on how to maintain equipment, hangout to watch skate videos and to ask questions. The Purple Skunk wants the YMCA to use the shop as an extension of their skateboard program. We are honored to be part of the FLEX program because it will allow the Skunk to participate more in community services and promote skateboarding.

I am writing to ask for your help in donating whatever you can and as soon as you can for the YMCA. I apologize for the last minute request, but Crissie just got the okay recently. Her goal is to start the program in July. If you would be so kind as to donate whatever is in your budget for a "new school" beginner teenage skater, we at the Skunk and the staff at the YMCA would be ever so grateful.

Here is a list of what is needed:

Helmets
Kneepads
Elbowpads
Wristguards
New school completes
New school decks
129mm trucks
New school wheels (even with softer duros ie 94a, 97a)
Bearings
Griptape
Skate tool

Whatever needs to be assembled, we will gladly do it at the Skunk for the YMCA. We are reaching out to you with hopes of being heard. You can hit me back with any comments, questions or good news. I am always available for you.

Thank you in advance. We hope to make a big impact on this program with your generous donations.

All donations can be sent to:

YMCA FLEX Skateboard Program c/o Purple Skunk
5820 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121
Attn: Lizzie