Through connections in the fitness world, Will Kiefer from the Bench Mark Program in Lancaster, PA reached out to me about shooting some photos for the non-profit. I knew a little bit about what they do before visiting the gym, but it wasn’t until the second of two shoots that I really saw the scope of it all.
Kiefer became a mentor during his senior year at Franklin & Marshal College for some at-risk youth in Lancaster. As a personal trainer, he had a chance to connect with kids from the city that might not have the same support structure as other kids. This experience gave him the idea to create a program to help support at-risk youth with career guidance, academic assistance, and mentorship through weight training.
Since graduating in 2014, Kiefer and his team established the Bench Mark Program, and have already made an impact on Lancaster. Through donations, they have acquired the equipment for the gym and the students and mentors are putting it to good use. A local artist helped to create a unique atmosphere with graffiti art of some popular super heroes on the walls. Donations, fund raising events, and hard working volunteers are what help keep the program going. All of the hard work was rewarded with the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center’s Program of the Year Award for 2015.
Mentor Bench Mark #3 – Help someone be better than they were the day before.
Awards aren’t what keeps Kiefer going though. We had a chance to talk about our careers and where we want them to go during the first photo shoot. His passion for fitness and helping kids was very clear, and he was quick to recognize his opportunity to work with the youths in the program is only possible with the support of his friends, family, and supports of the program.
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