Update: Four Youth spoke at Community School West

I have not been keeping up with this blog. We haven't had a Coffee House Nation Meeting since the B-Hive Coffee Shop got a liquor license. We need a new place to meet. Still, youth get together to speak all the time. The latest was yesterday at Community School West. Follow this link for details.





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due to mostly no one coming in today- cancelled

We'll try again in two weeks since we could not generate enough interest today- so we don't have to wait till next month.


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Back on schedule for 3-6-10- 2:00 to 4:00 PM B-hive!

Note: Please buy a beverage at the B-Hive. If you don't have money see Lloyd and he will make it happen. There is a one-beverage minimum rule at the B-Hive. Also, do not bring in outside beverages! Hope to see a good turnout for Coffee House Nation first saturday of the month get to gether!

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Thanks to Sidney Crosby, the Pens, and Tickets for Kids!

On 2-12-10 we were the lucky recipients of ten Sidney Crosby luxery box tickets at Mellon Arena. Needless to say the evening was enjoyed immensely by all.

We all felt like celebrities for one night. You can’t put a price tag on that. It’s not possible to exactly evaluate how such an experience could change any of these youth; however, as they have all done much to earn this special privilege I think the timing was perfect. There was magic in the air to be sure.



What can you say about being in Sidney Crosby’s personal box? This was an incredible evening for each of the seven juveniles in attendance and also for the three chaperones.

The Coffee House Nation is a group of young people in recovery from addiction and on Probation. Our purpose is to provide sober fun activities and a chance to informally socialize with each other. This event was easily the highlight of the year for us.

We were given lots of snacks (chips, dips, and even cookies) and a refrigerator full of soda. We ordered Nachos and Cheese off the menu and while we paid for those ourselves- it never ran out all night long. The view from the front five seats was stunning and really the view from any seat was fantastic. These Teens were treated to an intense night of sober fun. We now have the memories to enjoy for the rest of our lives.

The Pens lost in over-time but even that could not damper our spirits; it was such a close game and we felt so very special for being allowed to sit in Crosby’s luxury box. It really is an experience just to view all the photos and decorations on the walls.

Liberty Station Halfway House joined us as they often do at Coffee House Nation events. They transported three deserving youth and also sent one staff along. I and one other Probation Officer attended with four youth from our caseloads. This kind of camaraderie helps build strong relationships that can fuel these young people’s drive to recovery from the disease of addiction.

We all felt like celebrities for one night. You can’t put a price tag on that. It’s not possible to exactly evaluate how such an experience could change any of these youth; however, as they have all done much to earn this special privilege I think the timing was perfect. There was magic in the air to be sure.

As one teen put it, “I just can’t imagine that I would ever sit in Crosby’s box and watch a game. It’s so unlikely that I would say it was impossible. It makes me think that if this could happen what other good things could happen in my life if I just don’t take the first one. You know, I’m starting to think just about anything is possible.”

The Coffee House Nation welcomes PO Ransom and two of her Probationees.

Thank you Tickets for Kids for creating a memorable and powerful experience for us all and especially to reward these young men’s hard work at changing their lives.

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New meeting schedule for 2010 (starting 1-2-10)

First Saturday Afternnoon of each month from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the B-Hive Coffee Shop on Pittsburgh Southside. Note: There is a one drink minimum at the B-Hive. If you need help buying a drink-no problem- see Lloyd. Please do not bring in outside drinks to the B-hive. They make their money primarily selling beverages. Thanks.

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Meeting: December 5th 2:00 to PM at Bee Hive

Sorry for the short notice but this appears like it will be well-attended anyway.

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Go Steelers! Third Year running that CHN takes in Steeler Game! Thanks Steelers.

Special thanks to PSST parents Mary, Beth and Erv for making this game and the tail-gating possible. This is our third year with a 20-ticket package. A few of our people could not make it for the pre-game fun. Erv and Beth got there early and secured us a parking spot and he and Beth supplied the eats.

The seats were awesome! Upper-level but not nose-bleed. There is really not a bad seat at Heinz Stadium anyway but our seats were directly accross from the big screen. When they were in our end-zone we could see em sweating! OK, that's a small exageration but they were great seats!

This was the first steeler game for many of our teenagers. We also are lucky enough to have a few guys in thier twenties coming back to supply inspiration and leadership for our younger guys. Lots of opportunity for people to share phone numbers, hope and inspiration.

The seven-year old with the Steeler face is my grandson. It was his first game too!

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