Welcome Home

He was tall and lanky, and I saw right away that he was too old.

Too old to be playing in this league, for sure, but—there was something else, something much

more profound.

Where most of us live and work and play, we don’t see a 24-year-old man and think “old.”

Rather, we think of youth, and opportunity, and optimism, and a future without limits.

Here in Paterson, New Jersey—as well as in New York, and inner cities across America—a 24-

year-old is more likely than not to have already been arrested and jailed. His hopes and

prospects for a bright future? Long since crushed.

And so when a 24-year-old named Infinite walked into the gym, I saw not just an “old” young

man, but a survivor, and a victor. A man who has risen above his circumstances. Successful,

hard-working, ambitious.

How did Infinite beat the odds?

Nine years ago, Tony Browne—a banker and Street2Street board member—had a vision to

create a community that would give boys like Infinite a chance to succeed. We rented a small

elementary school gym. Infinite was among those who walked in that very first day. Tony took

him under his wing—showed him the love of a father. And showed him the love of The Father.

Now, Infinite stood before me. No longer a kid but a man, a coach, a mentor, and a leader.

And, as it turns out, not too old to play after all, because this day was the alumni game.

Infinite—and no less than 40 other Street2Street alumni—piled into the gym to show the kids

what the future could be, if they will take the street less traveled and reach for faith, hope and Discipline.

“Welcome home!” I said to Infinite, embracing the “old” man with the new life.

“Yes! Welcome home!” he replied in affirmation, a broad smile across his face.