This is the first installment in a series by Courtney Gilman on non-profit groups in Oklahoma.

Andrew Hunzicker, Touchstone Youth Project co-founder, spots a youth participant. Photo by Sherwin R. Tibayan.

The Touchstone Youth Project helps lift disadvantaged youth in our community off the ground… literally. Courtney Gilman, Touchstone Program Manager, interviewed the organization’s co-founder, Nicole Hunzicker.

Tell us a little about the organization.

Touchstone Youth Project, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 2002 to serve disadvantaged Oklahoma youth through adventure-based education, mentoring, and life-skills cultivation. Over the past seven years, more than 500 Oklahoma youth have participated in Touchstone’s youth programs absolutely free of charge.

What else makes it unique?

Touchstone owns and meets at Rocktown Climbing Gym, the large grain silo-turned for-profit climbing facility and Touchstone’s home, in downtown Oklahoma City. There, youth participants are given the opportunity to be involved in the exciting and challenging sport of technical rock climbing. Touchstone Climbing Club provides a safe haven where they can experience inspiration, adventure, and the chance to successfully overcome difficult challenges.

More importantly, Touchstone establishes long-term mentoring relationships between positive adult role models and youth, many of whom have been involved in Touchstone for more than five years.  … We are committed to working with each young person on a weekly basis for several years to address needs on many levels, concrete as well as intangible, practical as well as emotional.

How did this idea become a reality?

My husband Andrew and I were on a road trip to Reimers Ranch just outside of Austin, Texas, to go rock climbing.  I was flipping through a climbing publication and happened upon an article about an organization in Austria that serves underprivileged youth utilizing rock climbing as a way to develop self esteem and problem solving skills.  I was blown away by the concept and knew almost immediately that I wanted to do something similar.

Ever since I began rock climbing nine years ago, I felt it was an extraordinary endeavor, one that challenges you on many levels, physically, mentally, and even emotionally.  My life’s work and professional background is in nonprofit management, so it was a perfect fit.  In a matter of months, Touchstone Youth Project was founded.

What began as a once a week program, with students from Northwest Classen High School eight years ago, has ballooned into a daily collaboration with partnerships around the community, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County and Crossroads Youth and Family Services in Norman.

Audrey Semore, former Touchstone Program Manager, belays a climber. Photo by Sherwin R. Tibayan.

What’s on the plate for the coming months?

This spring, Touchstone formed its very own competitive climbing team, comprised of active youth participants and mentors serving as coaches.  They will participate in the annual climbing competition at Rocktown Climbing Gym in April.  We’re also gearing up for the summer, taking new group applications and researching ways to expose existing groups to climbing outdoors.  Finally, we’re submitting a proposal for the construction and implementation of a ropes course for our home at Rocktown.

Rock climbing, group discussions?  This sounds almost as fulfilling for the volunteers as it does for the kids!  How can someone get involved?

We certainly try to make it that way!  There are many ways one can become involved with Touchstone, from becoming a financial supporter through a tax-deductible contribution to participating on the ground level as a Community Volunteer.  We are also always looking for new Partner Organizations with which to collaborate in order to reach out to even more youth.  You can visit the website, give us a call, or send an email to find out more information or obtain volunteer or organization applications.

Nicole, thank you so much for taking time to share Touchstone’s story with Voices of Oklahoma.  I can tell there is much more to discover about this adventurous and adrenaline pumping helping-organization.

Thank you for acknowledging local groups that give back to the community!

A climber at the Touchstone Youth Project. Photo by Sherwin R. Tibayan.

To contribute or learn more about the Touchstone Youth Project, call (405) 606-1818 or e-mail cmgilman@touchstoneyouth.org.