Deacons Offer Mentoring and Funding to Archway Academy's Sober-Living Initiatives

HOUSTON (May 6) -- Students of the largest sober high school in the nation, Archway Academy, recently spent some precious one-on-one time with numerous members of the Deacons of Deadwood Motorcycle Club as we delivered a check in the amount of $14,000 toward Archway's goal of helping its student body recover from drug and alcohol issues."All the charities we support are special, but we have a number of Members who can really relate to the challenges these kids face," said Deacons President Geoff Seaman. "If being there and talking to these kids adds just another rung on their support ladder, then we have accomplished a lot.”"They were ready for us this trip and it was cool to see when we rode onto their campus. We all gathered in the parking lot before heading to the auditorium, where we then broke up into smaller groups. That gave students a chance to discuss their challenges with sobriety and how important a school like this is in getting them sober and back on their feet. It's vitally important society doesn't give up on these kids."Located on the campus of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church adjacent to Rice University, Archway Academy was established in 2003 by concerned parents and adolescent addiction recovery experts who recognized the need for a school dedicated to supporting teens in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse or dependency. Archway is an official Recovery High School, a part of the national Association of Recovery Schools, and an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 organization."Archway Academy is forever grateful to the amazing folks at the Deacons of Deadwood," said Archway Academy's Executive Director Sasha McLean. "We truly appreciate their multi-year financial generosity. They go above and beyond just giving us money and strive to create a true connection with our students, staff, and Board of Directors.”"The Deacons have a special energy and passion. It's not often you see a table mixed with leather-vest bikers and backpack-toting high schoolers, but we've learned it's a match made in heaven through the grace and mentoring of the Deacons.”"These guys are the total package of generosity, inspiration, humility, compassion, and zest for life. We look forward to many years of partnership!""It's really an eye-opening experience when you talk to these young people and hear about their struggles," said "Denver Mike" Arabucki, the Club's charity committee chairman. "It's also very cool to see how appreciative and receptive they are to our Club Members. I think we might relate with them a little differently than others.”"This check presentation was just part of our commitment to Archway Academy. We routinely provide guest speakers from our membership to discuss careers and life skills that help give them a jump-start in the next phase of their life. Our Members come from every walk of life, and we like to show these kids that the choices they are making right now can lead to great things in the future."I'm very impressed with Sasha and her staff. Their success rate of students graduating and going on to college or vocational training exceeds 90 percent. That's an incredible statistic, and we're proud to be a little part of it all."