If you saw the front page of the Democrat and Chronicle yesterday, I’m sure you saw the vivid picture which went with the lead story about two 15 year-olds who were shot and killed on Wilkins Street the night before.
There are far too many young people in our community who are losing their lives to violence. The City of Rochester has taken extra steps to ensure that these crimes stop by enforcing the city curfew and through the Zero Tolerance program, but more needs to be done – four deaths this year is four too many.
This issue affects everyone in our community – whether you live or work here. There are so many causes, and no quick fix.
You may be thinking – what can I do? Well, one of the big issues United Way is focusing on is preventing violence. Thanks to supporters of United Way’s Community Fund, there are after school programs and support centers at Marshall, East, Franklin, Douglass, and Wilson - just to name a few. These programs keep kids off the street, provide them with mentors and safe after school and summer activities -- and help guide them to adulthood. We also support youth development programs thru Baden Street, Boys & Girls Club, Charles Settlement, Community Place, SWAN, and Urban league. While there’s no way to know just how many lives we’ve saved through these prevention programs – I’ve talked with so many young people who have been part of these programs - and it has made a big difference to them.
My point is, together – we can make a real difference. And if you would like to read more about how together, we are helping to prevent violence click here.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Valentine's Day...
Happy Valentine’s Day! Although I wasn’t able to spend this special day with my fiancé, I did get to spend my morning with some special new friends at the Metro YMCA. I stopped in to learn about the great programs they offer, and while I was there, I got to see some of the kids making their Valentines or eating their special treats (check out some of the pictures).
There are 11 different Y locations throughout Rochester. The centers that receive the majority of United Way funding – for programs that focus on youth development - are the urban branches which include Maplewood, Monroe, Southwest, Carlson Metro, and Lewis Street. These branches host after school programs, have organized sports teams, and a number of other programs for young people. The YMCA is actually the largest provider of after school programs in Monroe County.
Every year, through United Way funded programs (like those at the Y) more than 22,000 kids receive mentoring, tutoring, and guidance. These programs work to help kids in school – and keep them off the streets. And many of the kids who attend after school programs are part of summer programs too. What’s great is that many of them end up back working at the Y when they are older, as mentors to other young people. Talk about coming full circle!
Growing up, I attended many programs at the Monroe Y. I was on their swim team for many years, attended Camp Arrowhead, and stop by the Teen night occasionally – it was always a great experience.
If you want to learn more about how your support of United Way is helping kids succeed, click here.
There are 11 different Y locations throughout Rochester. The centers that receive the majority of United Way funding – for programs that focus on youth development - are the urban branches which include Maplewood, Monroe, Southwest, Carlson Metro, and Lewis Street. These branches host after school programs, have organized sports teams, and a number of other programs for young people. The YMCA is actually the largest provider of after school programs in Monroe County.
Every year, through United Way funded programs (like those at the Y) more than 22,000 kids receive mentoring, tutoring, and guidance. These programs work to help kids in school – and keep them off the streets. And many of the kids who attend after school programs are part of summer programs too. What’s great is that many of them end up back working at the Y when they are older, as mentors to other young people. Talk about coming full circle!
Growing up, I attended many programs at the Monroe Y. I was on their swim team for many years, attended Camp Arrowhead, and stop by the Teen night occasionally – it was always a great experience.
If you want to learn more about how your support of United Way is helping kids succeed, click here.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
A building full of smiles...
As soon as I walked through the doors of School of the Holy Childhood, I couldn’t help but display a huge smile on my face. What an incredible place to visit! You can’t go wrong visiting the only school that I have ever seen where you are allowed to ride a bike in the hallway!
United Way’s Community Fund support the School of Holy Childhood’s Children’s program, which helps children with development disabilities with independence and integration. Teachers and staff focus on individualized education, vocational training, and clinical treatment.
When I was visiting, I noticed a board with a picture of last year’s graduating class. The students graduate at the age of 21. It was really emotional looking at it, because most of the grads have been going to Holy Childhood since they were five years old.
Each year, on average 10 students graduate. They go on to jobs in the community such as Wegmans, or are placed at different non-profits like the ARC of Monroe, CDS, Lifetime Assistance, Heritage Christian Services, and some of the grads come back to places at Holy Childhood. They work in the bakery, woodshop, or the workstation stuffing envelopes.
I don’t think I have ever experienced anything like Holy Childhood. The walls are full of great artwork and pictures. Every new wing brought another surprise and each classroom was totally different than the next. Classrooms showed the student independence skills such as loading a dishwasher, doing laundry, folding laundry, and basic cooking skills.
The school also had an amazing ceramics class, a bakery where they create their famous pies, a weaving room that the whole back wall was full of yarn waiting to be made into a masterpiece, and an unbelievable wood shop. The School was even a host of a work station that the graduates could come and work, where they put together the 401k packets for Paychex!
If you want to learn more about the great things that School of the Holy Childhood is doing, check out their website at http://www.holychildhood.org/.
United Way’s Community Fund support the School of Holy Childhood’s Children’s program, which helps children with development disabilities with independence and integration. Teachers and staff focus on individualized education, vocational training, and clinical treatment.
When I was visiting, I noticed a board with a picture of last year’s graduating class. The students graduate at the age of 21. It was really emotional looking at it, because most of the grads have been going to Holy Childhood since they were five years old.
Each year, on average 10 students graduate. They go on to jobs in the community such as Wegmans, or are placed at different non-profits like the ARC of Monroe, CDS, Lifetime Assistance, Heritage Christian Services, and some of the grads come back to places at Holy Childhood. They work in the bakery, woodshop, or the workstation stuffing envelopes.
I don’t think I have ever experienced anything like Holy Childhood. The walls are full of great artwork and pictures. Every new wing brought another surprise and each classroom was totally different than the next. Classrooms showed the student independence skills such as loading a dishwasher, doing laundry, folding laundry, and basic cooking skills.
The school also had an amazing ceramics class, a bakery where they create their famous pies, a weaving room that the whole back wall was full of yarn waiting to be made into a masterpiece, and an unbelievable wood shop. The School was even a host of a work station that the graduates could come and work, where they put together the 401k packets for Paychex!
If you want to learn more about the great things that School of the Holy Childhood is doing, check out their website at http://www.holychildhood.org/.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Creating Hope for Women
Last week, several coworkers and I were fortunate enough to go on a site visit to Alternatives for Battered Women. We met with Cathy Mazzotta, the executive director for ABW who gave us some background information and a tour of their facility. ABW is actually featured in this year’s campaign film, so make sure you get a chance to check it out. Although it was enlightening hearing Cathy tell us stories, nothing really sunk in until I sat down with a coworker and heard her experience with ABW.
Theresa has been at United Way for 10 years now, but it’s been a long journey that has brought her to this point. It started 20 years ago when she met her now ex- husband, who although was abusive while they were dating, convinced her to get married. A couple months after she had her daughter, she tried to leave for the first time. He convinced her that he would change and Theresa ended up back with him and got pregnant with her son. Unfortunately, the abuse didn’t stop while she was pregnant, and she ended up going into labor 3 months early. Her son was born just over one pound and spent the first 3 months in the hospital.
The nurses noticed that she wasn’t visiting as much as the other mothers and also noticed bruises. One of the nurses got her information on ABW got her into some counseling. Once her son was out of the hospital she finally decided to leave her husband for good. It took her 4 times to leave until she was successful. She is actually pretty lucky because the average woman tries leaving her abuser 7 times before she is successful.
Theresa fled to the shelter with two babies and was finally safe. She was able to get the help that she needed and ABW actually referred her to Wilson Commencement Park- where she was one of the first residents. She continued going to counseling at ABW for a year after and enrolled in classes as Bryant & Stratton where she graduated. She also was active as a volunteer board and committee member at WCP for many years. Since her son was born so early, he has some learning disabilities but he has been able to use a lot of the services in the community like St. Joseph’s Villa, and taking therapeutic riding lessons at the Equicenter.
Hearing Theresa’s story really goes to show how intertwined a lot of our agencies are. She has learned to ask for help and use the tools that are available to her. Both her kids are doing great, and her daughter is getting ready to graduate high school and go off to college.
The nurse at the hospital saved Theresa’s life. Many of the programs in the community have helped keep her and her children safe and successful. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, please call ABW at 232-7353 or check out their website http://www.abwrochester.org/.
Theresa has been at United Way for 10 years now, but it’s been a long journey that has brought her to this point. It started 20 years ago when she met her now ex- husband, who although was abusive while they were dating, convinced her to get married. A couple months after she had her daughter, she tried to leave for the first time. He convinced her that he would change and Theresa ended up back with him and got pregnant with her son. Unfortunately, the abuse didn’t stop while she was pregnant, and she ended up going into labor 3 months early. Her son was born just over one pound and spent the first 3 months in the hospital.
The nurses noticed that she wasn’t visiting as much as the other mothers and also noticed bruises. One of the nurses got her information on ABW got her into some counseling. Once her son was out of the hospital she finally decided to leave her husband for good. It took her 4 times to leave until she was successful. She is actually pretty lucky because the average woman tries leaving her abuser 7 times before she is successful.
Theresa fled to the shelter with two babies and was finally safe. She was able to get the help that she needed and ABW actually referred her to Wilson Commencement Park- where she was one of the first residents. She continued going to counseling at ABW for a year after and enrolled in classes as Bryant & Stratton where she graduated. She also was active as a volunteer board and committee member at WCP for many years. Since her son was born so early, he has some learning disabilities but he has been able to use a lot of the services in the community like St. Joseph’s Villa, and taking therapeutic riding lessons at the Equicenter.
Hearing Theresa’s story really goes to show how intertwined a lot of our agencies are. She has learned to ask for help and use the tools that are available to her. Both her kids are doing great, and her daughter is getting ready to graduate high school and go off to college.
The nurse at the hospital saved Theresa’s life. Many of the programs in the community have helped keep her and her children safe and successful. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, please call ABW at 232-7353 or check out their website http://www.abwrochester.org/.
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