The Unsung Hero’s Role: Why Consistency and Real Relationships Matter in Youth Development

[0:16]  We are back with Mr Mike from the Boys and Girls Club, but not any Boys and Girls Club. Where are we located, Mike?

[0:20]  West Springfield, Massachusetts, Boys and Girls Club. sure was, yeah, Springfield actually. Moved over to West Springfield after we got married.

[0:24]  All right, and born and raised a mess? Okay. I'm from Mass, but I didn't spend too much time. I think I told you that. Lawrence. you know, not the best of places to be. It's a good thing that I did leave there when I did. But it's cool, man. So you stayed home. You're really working in the same neighborhood that you grew up in, is that correct?

[0:36]  Yeah, okay. A little bit down the road, but yeah, you know, same area, same general vicinity.

[0:49]  Love it. Why? Why why boys and girls club? Why be surrounded with all these youngins? You know what I mean? When you could really be doing something out there that makes you a lot of money. I always say in the spaces that we're in where passion and purpose, there's a why behind it. What is it?

[1:02]  Yeah, I mean really, you know, growing up, single mom household and, you know, worked hard to get everything we had and everything we could do and you know, I got into this work right out of college and then I backed out of it for a while, going down that career path thinking that, you know, something was bitter bigger and better d out out there and I kept missing that sense of purpose, you know, and and all that kind of excitement that I had. in that first job, you know, working with kids, running camps, before and after school programs. and, you know, I was in my hometown and I saw the director of operations open up at the boys and girls club and I said, this is it. This has got to be the spot for me. So you know, with that, it's really just, you know, being i if a force for kids, you know, someone to go to, someone, you know, positive, you know, male role model in their lives. So really just drew me back to the mission.

[1:59]  I love it. And so important for you to be a male in this space as well. I literally was having a conversation with my friend, and I'm 36 years old now, man. So sometime when you receive these nice text messages, I'm like, yo, stop glazing me. And for those for those that are young enough to or old enough, they probably don't know what that is. It's just like really hyping me up, like giving me words of encouragement because we're not used to it. so he sent me this and I had to actually call him and have a conversation and we're just talking is men don't do this enough, right? It it is having these conversations and how cool it was for me and him to have that moment. Because when we don't have that representation of what a male figure looks like, what a father or looks like, what being a man looks like, what being a leader looks like. And a lot of the times it c usually comes from a male in a household. you're in a special place, man, that you don't see enough of Is that also reasons will get you into it, man? Is knowing that representation doesn't just come from the color of our skins, but showing up as that male figure that made it out the other side.

[2:28]  Yes, sir. definitely. You know, it for me, you know, you look at it and it's not just what it's supposed to look like, but different options, right? So, you know, what what is what does that look like to be a male and in the world today is so different than it was even, you know, ten years ago. So, yeah, that keeps me motivated, you know, when I when I know that I can be that for someone 'cause I didn't have it, you know, that means a lot to me. and I'm fortunate enough to watch some of these

[2:58]  Mm-hmm.

[3:28]  young folks kind of grow into what becomes staff for us. So, you know, what starts as a journey of looking for somewhere to go after school turns into what could be a career for them. And and honestly, you know, there isn't enough male staff. There are not enough of them. And we had six join us this summer, which is like a annoyable amount. And we were, you know, pretty excited about that just to see, you know, that shift a little bit be able to add them to our team.

[3:53]  Good. Hell yeah, no, it's it's it's a big deal. I think it's always cool to especially our younger leaders, I think there's more of them stepping up in in this world and in this role. And it's really cool to to just definitely see that. what what are some of the resources that Boys and Girls Club provide that maybe communities don't even know or people that are listening or watching don't know? Let's kind of talk about some of the things that are out there.

[4:18]  Sure. Yeah. So, you know, really each each club is pretty unique as to what their community needs are. for us, we you know, we look at childcare as one of our main f you know, factors in the w in the need in the community. but aside from that, it's providing quality programming for them when they're there, right? What are we doing with the hours that we have for them out of school time? Those are critical critical hours for them. And so we look to them, you know, we say, What do you need from us? What do you want to do? And, you know, it's kind of deviated from just basketball. in in soccer in the gym to technology and them, you know, flying drones and 3D printing and really kind of getting their their minds around different things and exposing them to things they may not have opportunity to otherwise. And so we continue to look at okay, what else could we do? You know, it used to be that celebrities would say I I I threw the first pitch of a baseball at a boys and girls club and we're hoping someday they'll say I flew my first drone at a boys and girls club, you know.

[5:19]  I mean, there's a lot of stuff cool stuff happening. You didn't mention AI, man. What's up? Y'all teaching people AI over there?

[5:23]  We're getting there. We're getting we're getting there. We're getting there. We just we just wrote that policy, so stay stay tuned. We got we gotta figure it out first.

[5:58]  There we go, there you go. You know, I was actually talking to this this leader today and she was like, We know there's a need, right? It's just I need to be as what you mentioned, really get educated around it, those policies, all these different things. But also think of the gap that's happening. I'm I'm in around in the Lando area, so Central Florida, such a huge district in Florida and I think even in our country. But they actually put blockers around any of the AI in the schools. So If they're not learning it at the school, who's really teaching them? Right. Now it's being self taught at home and all these other things. So you talk about how crucial, right, it is for people like the Boys and Girls Club to really be ahead of the game because that's where they're spending their time. So if mom and dad can't teach them, if school's blocking it, where are we learning it from? Because it's such a a unique tool and it's very different, I think, is going to change the landscape of how people get creative and how people jobs in general. I think at some point you're you're you're literally gonna be applying for like a AI prompter, right? Because that's just the times we're going in. And yeah, I learned it at the Boys and Girls Club. Who knows?

[6:34]  Yeah, I mean, you know, that that's a very good point. You know, we kinda when I started back at the club, we had a lot of video games going on and I said, What do we hear for video games? No, they can do that anywhere. And we got rid of that. But now we're building rooms specifically around e you know, esports and building careers around that. So you're you're not wrong and AI is just something that I think we will figure out how to, you know, embed into into our our technology for our kids. And again, like I said, it's just

[6:39]  Video games.

[7:02]  Figuring it out first so that we use it right, you know, so that we're using it smart and we're teaching the right ways, you know.

[7:07]  Yeah. Love it. I got a funny question for you. You ready? Are you unk yet? Like they calling you unk?

[7:15]  I've been ump for a few years now.

[7:18]  I hate when they call me that, man. I'm not that old. Like, stop it. But it's like we are, man. We're you're in your 30s, right? come on, Mike. You're looking good, my brother. You're looking good. Yeah, yeah, yeah. it's always funny when I get unknown and I'm like, bro, come on, stop, stop doing that, okay? Could you just call me, you know, Ephraim? Like, I'm cool with that. I I'm completely cool. You can call me Mr. Efrain if you like, but no, man, it is cool to be in these spaces that we are literally fertilizing into the next generation.

[7:24]  Yeah. No, I'm in my forties now, so I'll take that though.

[7:45]  of individuals and that we could take experiences from not having a father to being a father to teaching others how to do all these things we never had or never seen. what what a cool place. But I think our kids, man, teach us a lot as well. You mentioned you got some older kids. What what what do they teach you as you're in these room as a leader?

[8:05]  you know, they teach me a lot. you know, all the new sayings and all the things we're mindful of. well honestly, if you sit and really listen to what they're saying at the at the surface level, that's how we can identify what they're looking for, right? That's how we can connect with them. and sometimes it's just conversation and listening and that's all they want, someone to hear out. You know, there's a lot of people out there that just, you know, kind of brush what they feel or what they say aside, some because they don't understand.

[8:17]  Ha ha ha.

[8:30]  And some because they don't have the time or whatever the case is. But the the time to listen to them is so impactful for them at that age. Yeah. That middle school, high school age, they just want to be heard. You know, they want somebody to listen to me. You know, that's and and then and then following up with that, right? Don't listen and say you're gonna do something, not do it because they're gonna call you out on that too. They're gonna they're gonna make sure they hold you to it.

[8:54]  Man, you said a lot of things that we can really dig deeper in. So one you said holding to your word. A lot of these young kids, they've been told something by a parent, right? Myself, and they don't follow through. So it's like once you continue to not someone continues to do that, like a mentor, is like how that can they believe? How can they see past, you know, Like I think a mentor is so crucial and not to be just there for a moment, but really to be there for seasons. Because that individual being there, yourself, myself, anybody that's listening, being there for that season truly make a difference on what that kid's life actually looks like. Because so for so long, I was told by my father or mother or something that they were going to show up, they're going to do this, they're going to do that. And they didn't, right? And and how that was so hurtful, you know, and and it really kind of continued to dim my light and continue to kind of put these walls up that now it's harder for me and and and Mike to kind of bring down. So I think it it is is what what you said is listen. I was just having this conversation with my my co-host is one of the things I think I've done better as a leader is to sit here and listen to somebody's pain, to sit here and listen to what their ask is and really as you mentioned follow through or try to give the best advice possible if that's what they're looking for. Sometimes they're just wanting to bend. So I mean Are we all in agreement to some of these man? How important it is not to just to do the work but be consistent with it?

[10:20]  You have to be. And that's one thing that even during the interview process with staff, you know, we talk to them about that consistency because the reality is is that, you know, these kids sometimes get dropped off at seven AM and they don't get picked up till five thirty. Those parents are working. We have more time with them. We have more opportunity to connect with them than their own family does in some situations. And so what I tell people all the time is that, you know, we're hiring people and it doesn't matter what the building looks like, we're hiring for the people. And we need people who are gonna show up for our kids because You know, lot of them don't have consistency. You know, they they're all over the place. Some of them are being, you know, going from one home to the other, or from, you know, one bad situation to another. And so we have to be that positive consistency. And I start that in the interview process because I want people to understand, you know, it is not just a job. It's not just a job. Like there's an impact here. And, you know, the cool thing about it, I always tell them is that it's gonna be a two way street because you're gonna feel good about it, you know, and they're gonna feel good about it. And when you see them in the grocery store, you know, ten years later and they remember you by name, unc or not, you know, th they're they're they're gonna they're you're gonna feel really good about that, you know.

[11:27]  Yeah. No, for sure, man. I I'm at we're both at those ages where I'm seeing some of the people that I mentored. I used to work at a karate and boxing gym, and I was 15 years old. So it was straight out of high school, and I would help them with their homework. These are people in elementary or middle school, and I would help them with their homework. And now seeing one of them actually is a professional boxer, you know, and knowing that he was such a smart kid and all that, and he stayed to one boxing.

[11:28]  Awesome.

[11:51]  But can imagine not only now is he a boxer, but the dude's intelligent, you know, and and how cool was that? Because he had great mentors and people that believed in him. it it is it is one of those rewarding things. You mentioned it's not a job, it's truly purpose. You know, a lot of the reasons I can imagine, Mike, that you're there is truly just passion and purpose. and when people understand that and and can see that, I was actually talking to somebody earlier. Sometimes you're not going to actually see every seed you plant watered or grow. but knowing that you're a part of it and knowing that you're just doing the right thing. I think it's it's it's a huge factor. when we you mentioned middle school, I also heard that middle school is probably the most crucial years of a student's life. That that's really where the gap starts. Because you're in elementary, when you are this star in elementary, and then you go into middle school, one, you kind of the the middle school hours a little different, but

[24:25]  Yep, yeah. Yeah.

[24:25]  You kinda lose that support. You kinda you're trying to find yourself because now you have multiple classes. It's it's a new environment. And you're right, the parents can show up to a lot of these things. Are you seeing that? Is this true facts that you're witnessing being firsthand?

[24:26]  Yeah, you know, the unique thing that happens once they get to that age as well is that, you know, they're on the cusp of needing childcare and needing mentorship. And there's those different things, right? Mentorship is so critical for them at that age because most times parents are like, We don't really need the club, you know, we don't need that stuff. So we have to be intentional with the programming that we create and listen to what they want. So they do come through those doors, right? You know, it's it's putting surveys, you know, we go to lunches at the middle school all the time and find out, okay.

[24:27]  Mm.

[24:27]  What you guys want to see next? What will bring you in the doors? You know, what excites you about the Boys and Girls Club? This is your club, right? This is your community. What do you want from us? And you know, y they do give you that feedback and they do show up. You know, when you go out there and you ask them for those things, they're gonna show up and they're gonna expect that you do what they say. You know, if if they pick a theme to a dance on a Friday night and you don't use that theme, they're gonna tell you about it when you walk the front door. Exactly, exactly.

[24:27]  Yo Unk, what happened to my song, Unk?

[24:27]  but you're you're not wrong. Like they they sometimes get, you know, fall behind. You know, there's a lot of that in between and they get to high school, it's like, all right, college preparedness, getting ready, you know, get into the real world. What job do you want? You know, middle school kind of like is that influx time. They're growing, their minds are, you know, growing and they're trying to figure themselves out and where they fit now. And you know, we have to be there for them. And so that is an area that we're continually looking at growing and how do we keep them? the best part is is if we're intentional with how we work with them all the way through. So if they start with us in preschool, you know, they know they can rely on us by the time they get to middle school. So they're gonna shape what it looks like. And that's what we want. We want them to shape that future for us.

[24:27]  Mm-hmm. Are you guys just doing one location or are you guys at the schools?

[24:27]  No, so we have we have four locations off site and then one Main Street location. and the off-site locations are in the schools. our club has the most to offer. We've had a lot of renovations. We have tech lab, the gym, you know, Steam Lab. We have all kinds of things in the building that are just, you know, available to them. So but we offer those programs to those parents who just need that after school care within within the schools. and that's nice because they leave school, they you know, they don't have to leave the building, they go right to our staff and we're running programs. and so, you know, s you know, over three hundred kids a day we're seeing and then summer camps a full day with more kids, you know, and so again, it's it's making sure that the programs we're developing, the time we're putting into it is is based on the needs and what they want. Because I you know, I'm not fourteen anymore, I'm not six anymore. and I can only go by what I know and I have to hear what the kids are saying and the staff want to hear that.

[24:27]  Yeah. I love it. Do you think that there's a I don't know if the Boys and Girls Club do that, but resources that maybe these teens also need after hours? You mentioned being there seven thirty in the morning to let's say five thirty, six o'clock. I don't know what time the you guys physically close. But what happens after hours, right, with some of these kids? Are you guys providing those resources or at least like online or anything like that?

[24:27]  We are, yeah. So what we do is during the school year we find that, you know, from September to about May, we open the doors just to that age group. So, you know, middle school only, they're open till seven thirty and running pretty much whatever they want. they want the gym open, they want to run some some games, they want the tech lab open and playing video games and you know, doing whatever. you know, those are the things they want, but they want that time. You know, they want that time away that makes them feel You know, like they have something, this is a space for them. It's different because there aren't any kids from two point nine to you know twelve hanging out. It's their space during that time. and it it it it's important, you know, that that time is and here's the thing, th are they gonna be there every day? No, but the option is always there for them. So growing that that membership base has been a big focus for us for the past I'd say three or four years is how to get them in and listen to what they're saying and

[24:27]  Mm-hmm.

[24:27]  It it it ebbs and flows, right? There's there's some nights we have 35 kids in there, sometimes we have five, right? But we look at it like those five more kids, what else would they be doing? Where would they be going? And there is not a lot of options anymore. You know, going to the mall and hanging out isn't what it used to be. Some malls don't want you there, it's not safe there sometimes. Or you go somewhere else to, you know, a trampoline park and you're paying twenty dollars an hour, you know. Is that affordable for a for a 13-year-old? Probably not. so we have to be an option for.

[24:27]  Remember the days, Mike, where being at the mall on a Friday, Saturday night was a thing, man? No, they're all just abandoned. At least here I've seen so many of them being abandoned or or you know, new things happening to them. But no man. I all that it it it is so true and it's cool. So the four locations, is it so they're just you're are you growing more f than four? Is that the the end goal?

[24:27]  That was a place to be. Honestly, it's gonna be whatever way we can serve more kids, right? So if it's you know, those four places end up with more kids or we need more space, our building is at its max right now. You know, we are, you know, really looking at what the future is for us. and so what that means is we go back to the drawing board in our community and say, What is it else? What else do need from us? You know, where where do you need us in the community? What what void can we be filling for you if if there's a need? so it may be more buildings, it could be more locations, or could just be expanding in those other locations. The schools themselves, you know, those are growing every year. You know, we add a few more kids every year to those programs and they filter into the vacation weeks that were open, and they filter into summer camp, those full days. so you know, we're it's it's always an option to grow. The other area that we started adding some unique options is an enrichment programs, which are really kind of a la carte, if you will, you get to decide do I wanna take a ro robotics course? Do I wanna take and it's an hour a week, very, very low cost, just so that kids that don't play sports or do other things have another option, have another social outlet, have a place where they can try something new. and so that's grown pretty tremendously because some parents don't need five days a week, you know, programming. They need an hour here and there then helps them, the kids love it and and that's been a you know, last year we saw over two hundred and fifty kids go through that program. You know, never mind the childcare program. So there's ways to grow, right? There's ways to connect. It's just, you know, each community, what do they need from us?

[24:27]  How how big is the the building you guys have now?

[24:27]  So our facility right now, I think we're thirty five thousand square feet. we have a gym, we have large field, we have preschool rooms, we have tech lab, video game lab, traditional boys and games. It's it's busy it's it's big, it's big. We got the space, but we're growing out of it, which is a good problem to have, you know.

[24:27]  Yeah, I know. It had to be big. You told me all these things. I'm like, wait a minute, y Good good problem. Yeah. Good problem. Where does the funding come from from the school? Is this budget in there or is it at no cost to them? What does it look like?

[24:27]  No, so we're we're we have a board of directors and they're the ones that, you know, oversee, you know, everything that we're doing. And, you know, the funding comes from a lot of different places. It comes from donors, it comes from, you know, corporations, it comes from grants, it comes from some private pay from parents. so it's our job to find that funding, you know, and our board is, you know, never turns anybody away. So you know, they'll find it. They'll find the money.

[24:27]  Mm-hmm.

[24:27]  to keep those kids coming through the door. There's we're not turning anybody away. but it is a variety of places and, you know, you have to keep looking and and keep, you know, turning over different rocks and talking to different people and, you know, sharing, you know, ways they can impact our kids. that's key. You know, building those relationships in your community with those people is what helps us keep going, you know.

[24:27]  yeah. Relationships matter 100%. So so there's no cost to the schools that you're currently in. Like they don't pay for that. It is

[24:27]  Absolutely. No, the the parents pay for it. The schools do not. Nope. There's no there's no fee to the schools. it's just a service that we provide. They give us some space and we hire the staff, we train the staff. we've invested a lot into that, making those full time positions for our site director so that we can, you know, keep good people, you know, we've seen the positive results of that. you know, and then we're providing part time jobs to a lot of college kids who are in educational field or, you know, looking to work with kids in psychology. we have some high schoolers that come in just to assist. so it's it's a good opportunity, it's a good place to be.

[24:27]  Yeah, that's cool. The only reason I asked that is because I have a athletic director in the high school that he always says, Man, it's sad that we have to kind of send these kids off campus, right? We just don't have the resources, we don't have the really the budget to have someone, you know, in that in that room and it's kinda like a weight room. and he's like, I would love for the kids to be able to go do something in there, whether it's working out their schoolwork, but in reality I have to send them off campus and not you how campuses are nowadays, really locked down. So once you're out the campus, you can't come back in. And I think about organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, and it's like and there's probably so many more resources the same, but it's like, how do we, as you mentioned, make that difference? Because you know how many times I drive to that school at six thirty, seven o'clock and still seeing a student that is sitting out there and it's like, damn. You know, the time that is being wasted that we could really be pouring into that child, to make them feel seen and like they're not alone or abandoned or whatever they may feel like at that moment. Cause our minds were racing, right? As kids, man, we just talked about my son just waking up, just slapping someone because the mind is racing as as young'ins. So it's cool to know that you guys are actually doing this at really no cost to the the school and really helping out. that And that that you guys care, not just you as the person that's running the Boys and Girls Club, but the board behind the scenes, I think they'll get the recognition sometimes they deserve. When you talk about this board, is is it past members? Is it parents? What's on this who's on this board?

[24:27]  Sure, it's a mix. you know, the idea is that the board should represent the community that we're serving, right? And it really does. you know, we have quite a few board members that came through those doors, you know, when it was the boys' club, before it was the boys and girls club. you know, and so they have a lot of memories and you know what they want to see is that continued growth. And then we have some parents of some new members that, you know, they're you know, in their first stages of joining the club and they're excited about what the next steps are and what we can do. So We have a really great develop board. Our our CEO does a great job of really tapping into those people that we know in the community can really help take us to the next level. and their commitment to the staff, you know, it I'd like to say we have one of the best boards because, you know, they'll walk through the buildings and they'll they'll they know people by name. You know, they're they're coming in and checking in and you know, that kind of that kind of impact goes a long way when you're a staff in the building. You know, they're not just people who are looking at the governance and

[24:27]  Yeah.

[24:31]  and money and and policy, they they're talking to the people, you know, and and that motivates you, you know, that really motivates you.

[24:36]  Mm How many kids do you guys see a year?

[24:40]  So it depends. I mean we last year was over six hundred, you know, in total, throughout the different programming. And then we open up the gym to a couple of community groups that use it. So you know, with suburban basketball, CYO, other teams, so we we see, you know, a couple of hundred more through that. so just you know, continue to grow, you know. How do we Yeah.

[24:45]  yeah. I love it, man. And as we start wrapping up, man, what are some of the goals? I always like to hold the connibals so if we talk again, I can ask you, like, yo, Mike, you told me you're going to do this, man. So what's up? So really thinking about I guess the next five years. You talked about some expansion. I'm pretty sure maybe some programs, curriculums. But where do you want to see yourself as a leader in the next five years? as well as the Boys and Girls Club? Where do you want to see them?

[24:50]  Yeah. You know, I think continuing to evolve. you know, for myself, you know, I'd love to keep growing within this organization, you know, you know, maybe someday running the organization. but for the club itself is is what the next evolution of that looks like, you know, because we can't rest on our laurels. And I think one of the areas that we need to focus a lot of time is that workforce development, you know, that life and and workforce development. So how do we get the next generation prepared and how to be, you know, a good employee? How how to

[25:03]  Mm-hmm.

[25:16]  Dedicated to your work. and we're starting to see that. You know, we have a work-based learners program and we do start to see the ethic, you know, the coming in for the interview, showing up to work every day, wearing the uniform, those little things matter. You know, it's like they they they're starting to get it. But there's so much more opportunity out there for that age group, you know, and making sure that we find those resources resources for them, connect them with those resources, and and keep them coming through the building, you know. And hopefully someday one of them is sitting in my seat, right, and saying,

[25:29]  Yeah, I do. Love it. That's it.

[25:42]  I'm the I'm the Knicks, you know, chief operating officer, which would be awesome.

[25:56]  Yeah, I I laugh when you mentioned showing up on time and work because it's I get a little scared sometimes, man. I'm not in I'm not out there leading teams anymore, but when I was and there was some of these that were just my work ethic, man, I showed up. I didn't call out. I mean I I was there from even on my days off, call me type ish. And I just kinda get scared sometimes. So knowing that Mike is out there teaching it, all right, cool, we're we're in a better place. We're in a better place, Mike.

[26:21]  We are. And I'll tell you, there is a little gap there, but right now we do see this next group coming through excited to to work, you know, and and those teens are coming through excited. So I'm I'm saying I'm staying hopeful and positive.

[26:40]  Love it. Good, good. There you go, man. And just the last question to close us off. There when we talked about representation earlier is people that not look like us because we're Latinos or because we're light skinned or anything, but because there's men out there, there's little boys out there, how about that, that don't have a father figure, or even little girls out there that don't have a father figure and just don't have the guidance. What do we tell them?

[27:00]  Keep going. You know, be yourself and keep going. I think really the encouragement is what they need. You know, growing up that way and having other people in my lives to keep me encouraged is what kept me kind of motivated to be who I am. And I think that that's really what they need. They need somebody who's gonna mentor them and say to them, It's okay to be who you are. You know, figure that out because when you don't have that encouragement, it's the opposite. You get lost. You said before your mind is always running right, and then they can get lost in that when there's no one there to reassure them that the future's bright for you as long as you want it to be, you know, and and there's ways for us to help you get there. So, that's critical for me for them. Keep keep keep going.

[27:38]  Mike, I appreciate you. I appreciate the conversation, man. And you are 100% right. If you don't keep going, you just don't know what the end looks like. and and we've probably all seen this image through social media. And it's that guy that's chasing that diamond and quits right before he gets there. and that's usually what life looks like. You're in a dark tunnel, you may not see the light at the end of it, but if you continue to stay persistent, surround yourself with good people. find people like Mike, find organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, because there's that one person, there's that one moment of one organization that would change your life.

[27:39]  Yeah.

[28:07]  Mike, it's been a pleasure talking to you, my brother. Continue doing the amazing work and I know there's so much more in store. My name's Ephraim. This is Mike. We'll catch you in the next one. Later.

[28:07]  Yes, thank you. Yeah, man. Thanks. Take care.