Warren Students Consider Starting an FCA Huddle

WHS Student Council officers and representatives along with other students and Mr. Grandstaff
 show off poster for TheHopeLine .

T. Ray Grandstaff, the Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Fort Smith, Arkansas met with approximately 40 students, coaches, teachers, school administrators, and community members last Tuesday in the board meeting room of the Warren School District Administration Building where he explained FCA and TheHopeLine.

Mr. Grandstaff explained how FCA Huddles (chapters) are organized and the benefits that come with an FCA huddle.  He explained in depth TheHopeLine, a confidential youth service with professionals trained to assist youth through troubled times in their lives.  Topics ranging from suicide prevention, drug related problems, abuse, and much more are topics the professionals are trained to help with, but Mr. Grandstaff also indicated that TheHopeLine is also great at listening.  He explained that sometimes people just need someone to listen without fear of repercussions.

Superintendent Marilyn Johnson introduces Mr.
Grandstaff to the crowd gathered to listen.

During the meeting students asked questions as did some members of the community.  FCA Huddles are student organized but can always use mentors and community support.  Many from the community spoke and offered their support to the young people in attendance.

The youth who attended expressed that they were eager to "Huddle" up.


Mr. Grandstaff is an alumnus of Brown University in Rhode Island. This former collegiate football and track athlete currently has a presence in over 250 locations. His team has had over 300,000 individual coaching, mentoring, and point of impact meetings focusing on the mental, physical, and spiritual health of their participants.

T.Ray was an Executive Producer of a syndicated radio show heard on over 150 Top-40 radio stations with over 1 million 13 to 29 year old listeners each week. Each year their toll free help line has had over 60,000 call, text, and email engagements with those in need of assistance. They work with a total of 22 follow-up partners (email mentors, abuse hotline, free counseling sessions, rehab facilities, runaway shelters, community centers, assistance for returning veterans/families, etc.).

T.Ray was the CEO of an international organization that consisted of approximately 3 million participants in 60 countries, 300,000 workers, 100,000 churches and community centers, 1,200 local groups, and 75 national organizations.

T.Ray was a Senior Vice President/Producer for film projects that have garnered the Heartland Film Festival Grand Prize Winner, Wilbur Award, Redemptive Film Festival - Winner Redemptive Storyteller Award, the Audience Award at the Palm Beach International Film Festival and the Adam Award for best feature drama - presented by the Sabaoth Film Festival in Milan, Italy. Their most popular film opened in the top 10 nationally.

Preceding T.Ray’s involvement in film, he was the Senior Vice President of a sports organization where he led 1.2 million coaches/athletes and over 660 staff.

Specialties: Effective Communicator
Strong Analytical Problem Solver
Experienced in Conflict Resolution
Comprehensive Process Engineer
Decisive Team Builder
Proven in Vision Casting
Successful at Fund Raising
Experienced at Capital Acquisition
Creates High-Accountability Low-Blame Environment