Unique Fundraiser Planned
Entering the Bench Mark facility on East Liberty Street in Lancaster is a little like entering a secret club. A short hallway leads to a door that opens into a room filled with serious weightlifting equipment. The brightly colored walls are covered with graffiti-like artwork paying homage to superheroes.
According to founder and executive director Will Kiefer, the design is intentional. "We filled the space with color because we want it to be energetic," said Kiefer. "We want it to be something that for (students who participate) feels very special," he added, noting that the organization serves those ages 14 to 24. Most students are referred by a probation officer, therapist, or guidance counselor. Kiefer added that many students who come to Bench Mark to exercise are often caring for younger siblings at home. "When they come here, they have a place of respite ... just to be out and exercising," he said. Kiefer keeps the fridge stocked, and there are videos and planned discussions. "Sometimes kids need a space that's cool to connect with positive people," he said. "We have almost everything a kid could want to do workout-wise."
However, according to Kiefer, Bench Mark is much more than a place to lift weights. "(When students) come in, they see the gym, but what they don't see right away at the front of the gym are these two computers." The computers are there because Bench Mark helps students with resume writing and job searching for both part-time and full-time jobs. "They walk right past (the computers), and that's fine with us, but as we work with them (we) transition from 'Let's just exercise together' to 'Let's talk about what you want to do.'"
At the request of Lancaster's probation department, Bench Mark launched Strength Based Skill Building (SBSB) in 2018. Transportation to the program is provided within a 12-mile radius. "A judge will look at a kid and say, 'I think you will benefit from this type of fitness-based mentoring,'" said Kiefer, who developed the six-month program that covers foundational principles including legal life skills, common sense money fundamentals, mindfulness to engage focus, fitness, and what Kiefer calls "authentic communication." "That's teaching them to communicate in ways they haven't before," explained Kiefer.
Bench Mark also offers a Student Leadership Program (SLP), which teaches students how to run the gym. The trainees meet weekly to learn to handle daily responsibilities and help students determine goals. "They have to show up at every meeting, commit to a regular work schedule, and be a resource to students," said Kiefer. John Deslippe, who recently graduated from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, completed SLP and works at Bench Mark. He said that working there gives him a chance to give back. "When I was a student, it was an outlet with positive role models," he said. "I learned how to work out and how to use working out as a way to blow off steam."
Bench Mark has planned an unusual fundraiser for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24 and 25. The event will combine a 5K race with bench press reps or pushups. The 5K and pushups may be done virtually. The bench press will be held at Bench Mark, 341 E. Liberty St., Lancaster.
Bench Mark is currently open from 3 to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. More information about the program and the fundraiser may be found at http://www.benchmarkprogram.org.
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