Coming of Age Testimonials
"The leaders of this group have provided my son a very special time to be safe in opening up to his peers and to the leaders, about who he is, how he feels, what his deep concerns are about his life. The leadership skills are beyond anything I imagined. My son loves going to the group meetings. The experience is incredibly precious. For my son, these men are invaluable role models."
— Coming of Age Parent"The leaders are amazingly kind and intuitive! I am a social worker by profession, and feel like they both can really connect with our girls like no other in their lives. We do indeed love our Leaders!"
— Coming of Age Parent"In the beginning, I had no real idea of how this group would actually work or proceed. I imagined something vague. Now after almost a year, I am in awe."
— Coming of Age Parent"Whew. It was all FANTASTIC. The idea that this is even a program such as this is wonderful; that there are people such as Eric and Shai; Wow. That there is a large degree of ceremony, that there is a genuine respect for others and time is given for everyone to speak. Great. The program levels the playing field for the boys. They see they're not alone."
— Parent of Boys Coming of Age graduate"I learned how to stand up for myself."
— Boys Coming of Age graduate"Coming of age Rites of Passage are essential in these turbulent times, not only to provide young people and their family and friends with an ancient and deeply current body of ritual and mediation to help negotiate the pathways of life, but also to strengthen the commitment for each of us to take our place in the world as fully alive and loving human beings. The Coming of Age offered by Stepping Stones Project provides an excellent foundation and comprehensive network of support for this crucial work ."
— Parent of Girls Coming of Age graduate"I am a lot more generous because of this group."
— Boys Coming of Age graduate"I learned to stay in relationship, even when it seems hard to work it out I learned it is easier to work it out with the people you are with then to always go and get new friends."
— Boys Coming of Age graduate"Over the course of these two years I have changed a lot. Going from little girl to a young woman. I owe a lot of this to this group. I have gained so much, like friends who really listen and are fun. I experienced friendship without judgment. I had help with my problems in school and with friends, I have become more confident and have gained the power to really be me. I have learned to be by myself."
— Girls Coming of Age graduate"I woke up in the morning with a smile on my face because I learned that I could really survive in the world taking care of myself. I am usually around people and now I know that being just with myself is not as hard as I thought it would be."
— Girls Coming of Age graduate"The group was an outlet for anything you wanted to say that you couldn't say to your parents or other friends. We told each other everything."
— Boys Coming of Age Graduate"I feel as if we developed a large degree of wisdom from the program, and real sense of place and who our son is".
— Parent of Boys Coming of Age graduate