In one sense, they have nothing in common, in another sense they have everything in common. Today, the RISSE refugee kids accepted an invitation to come to the Mansion and have lunch with the residents on February 23. We’ll order a special lunch and the Mansion is going to give them a chance to make their own sundaes.

If the weather is good, we will try to get them to Pompanuck  Farm for a couple of hours afterwards.

We believe the exposure will be good for both sides, they will mix together at lunch, have some sandwiches together, and talk to each other about their very different lives. I imagine it might be something of  culture shock for both of them, especially given the fact that many of the soccer kids do not yet speak strong English.

When I think of these two worlds colliding, I think of the fact that both are sometimes isolated, both have been removed from their original homes and comfort, both are struggling for place and identity.

It will be a very important thing for me also, and for Ali, to see these two very diverse groups mingling with one another.

For me, this is what America is all about, the mingling of different worlds and cultures into a spectacular whole.

We’ll firm  up the details tomorrow. RISSE after school goes on a ten day break this Friday and Ali and I met for an hour near Albany today to plan a busy week for them, Ali is determined that they not have too much time to hang around, he has lost a number of kids to the streets, he says, it will not happen to these kids.

We arranged for three indoor practice sessions at the Sportsplex in Half Moon, one ice skating session, a group visit to see the new movie “The Black Panther,” and a trip to Cambridge to mix with the Mansion residents. We agreed that should keep them plenty busy and off of the streets.

If you wish to support the Mansion or refugee work, you can do so by sending a donation to my post office box, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816,  to me via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark the check or payment as being for the “Mansion,” or the “refugees.” All donations are kept in a separate account, monitored weekly and monthly by a bookkeeper and an accountant.

Thanks much.

A Note: Several people have tried to contact Ali directly about sending gifts to the RISSE team, some have contacted the kids themselves via their Facebook or social media pages. Please don’t do that. Ali’s job is to take care of the kids, if you have questions regarding gifts or help, you can e-mail me at [email protected], or contact RISSE directly. Please do not contact any of the players on the soccer team directly, it can be confusing and even frightening to them, and does not strike me as appropriate. Two people asked to visit these kids in their home without talking to me, Ali, or their parents. That’s a no.

Several women  have shown up in Albany looking to meet Ali, he can take care of himself.

The Mansion residents have few needs, and none of them are expensive or elaborate. I figure out what they need by asking them or talking to the staff, jewelry and clothing are not needed by everyone there, if you have questions just ask, I’ll speak directly with you – [email protected]. One person offered to make some elaborate clothing for the RISSE kids, and Ali said it wasn’t something they needed right now. She got  upset and thought he must be angry with her.

If we don’t need or can’t use something, please don’t take it personally, it is never personal.

They love getting letters, and they love the holiday gifts and messages.

Let’s please keep our boundaries intact. The Mansion residents love communicating with the outside world, but this is not about giving them elaborate things, but connection and community and the connection of souls one to another.  I ask the staff several times a week what people need, and it is good to know that before buying or sending things.

Some of them are not clear about what they do or don’t need. And sometimes they ask for things that are bad for them to have. Thanks for your consideration.