Many people can’t imagine a group of, troubled youth getting together with a group of individuals with disabilities, but to Lightning Peak and Recreation and Habilitation Services it was a perfect match.
          
Lightning Peak, a diversion program with the Juvenile Justice Services, donates its time and services every Tuesday and Thursday nights to RAH, a private, nonprofit organization that provides developmentally-disabled citizens with training to help them function effectively in society.          
           
“We have been working with RAH for more than six years, and everyone has really enjoyed their experiences with them,” said Julie Gibson, a lead counselor at Lightning Peak.
       
Every Tuesday, the youth at Lightning Peak gather at Regal Lanes in Provo with the RAH participants for a bowling trip. On Thursdays, both groups assemble at RAH for a variety of activities such as crafts, parties, magic shows, dances and games.
          
“The clients at RAH look forward to us being there,” Gibson said. “They’re very excited when our kids come in. They hug, shake hands, and give each other high fives. It’s a great interaction, and I think it helps everyone feel more a part of the community.”
     
Lightning Peak is a court-ordered, early intervention program that helps youth from ages 12 to 17 who are starting to make negative choices in their lives find better things to do with their time. Most of the youth are sentenced to 30 days at Lightning Peak and come from backgrounds varying from gang activity to truancy.
          
“The kids here do a lot of service as part of their curriculum but working with RAH is by far their favorite,” Gibson said. “Many in our program come back and work with RAH even after they are done.”
          
Other than cheering on RAH during bowling games, serving them dinner and playing games with them, the most important thing are the friendships formed between the youth and RAH participants. 
“They definitely remember each other and want to see one another,” said Taylor Black, a counselor at Lightning Peak. “The more the kids do service, the more they start getting their favorite friends. It’s great to see everyone talking and interacting with each other. We’ve all become great friends.”          
Besides making a difference in the lives of those at RAH, this service has made a difference at Lightning Peak.          
Gibson said this service exposes the kids at Lightning Peak to different people with different abilities. It gets them out of their comfort zone and gives them a different outlook on life. For many of the Lightning Peak participants, this is the first time they’ve felt the type of emotions that come from giving service.
“I don’t know if we help them out more or if they help us out more,” Black said. “There’s a big change that happens here. The youth begin looking out for others rather than looking out for only themselves. Before they start this program a lot of them are self centered and only concerned about their own well being. This service definitely broadens their prospective on the world.” 
Volunteers are always needed at RAH to help out with their scheduled activities and programs. Both individuals and groups are needed to assist staff members and participants during class instruction, and to help plan and supervise upcoming events. To get involved with RAH, call 374-2074.