I’m heading to RISSE in Albany this afternoon, once a week or so I feel the need go to there, and talk to the kids and adults, the refugees and immigrants, and hear their stories and see what it is they need and to listen to their stories, which often send me reeling.

I’m hoping to take some photos of the kids in their classrooms so you can see what your money is buying and who for. I am hoping to raise some money for a weekend retreat at the Powell House, the highly regarded Quaker retreat and youth center in Chatham, N.Y.

As i’ve mentioned, I converted to Quakerism when I was a teenager, and value their values highly.

The Powell House has specially trained counselors who help teach kids strength, community and confidence. The session I want to bring the kids to – Aii is wild about the idea – costs $2,100 and is scheduled for May. My refugee fund is a bit low now, we’ve done a lot of things over the past month.

If anyone would like to help send these kids to the Powell House (my daughter went to some retreats there, they are quite wonderful) you can help by sending a contribution to Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816 or to me via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark your checks “Powell House.”

Ali and the teachers at RISSE will choose the attendees, most will come from the soccer team, those kids have suffered almost every imaginable trauma and streets, and Powell House has long aimed its youth programs at children who need support. This is a good cause and I hope you can help.

I’ve read and heard the testimony of many children who say the Powell House has transformed their lives.

The youth counselors there are impressive, and Ali and another teacher will be present throughout the weekend to help with language or other issues. I’ll drop by also, we hope for the weekend of May 18-20.

We started out at 18 kids, but reduced the number to keep the costs down, the program asks $175 per person for six meals and two nights on a beautiful country meeting center.

The Powell House graciously offered to reduce the price, but I don’t like to do that. They do a lot of good and have great needs also, and if we can’t afford it, we ought not to do it. I’ve learned that lesson in life. If you can, your support is appreciated, as always.