The Best of ECH by Laura Kilcullin, Associate Director of Development

I have worked at ECH for over ten years and in that short amount of time, I have seen the programs evolve and help more children, youth and families. I have seen staff worry about the kids in their care like they are their own and I have seen kids reunite with families. I have seen young people get ready for dances and I have seen staff support kids in their events at school. I have come to work, feeling good about what I do on a daily basis and I have left feeling even better.

As the summer wears on, I see the kids participating in summer program. The whole program is wrapped around the theme, Ready or Not. The kids are learning the importance of relying on themselves and others to move past the things that have happened to them and look forward to a future of hope. To kick off the summer, the Ladies Aid hosted a birthday luncheon for all the kids, complete with a water bottle to use throughout the summer activities and a gift card to McDonalds to help celebrate the end of the summer. The ever popular ropes course will happen soon, showing the kids that they can do more than they think, that they are stronger and can accomplish things they never thought possible.

I am excited about the opening of the new Robert A. Baur Steppingstone Center. The renovation of one of the buildings on campus will help more at risk and homeless youth. Now, all staff for our Steppingstone program will be housed together in one location. The young people will have access to computers for applying for jobs and schools; they will have a central location to go for life skills training; and they will always have someone there to answer their questions and help them move towards independence.

It’d truly a wonderful time at ECH and for over 156, ECH has been providing children, youth and families with opportunities for a future full of hope. I like that I am a part of that hope. I like that my children know that my job is to help others who are in need find hope in their lives. But most of all, I am hopeful for the future of all the children, youth and families. I know if anyone can help them, it is the staff of ECH Every Child’s Hope.

SOAR Awards Bring Joy to ECH Staff and Students by Michael P. Brennan, CEO

 

I recently attended Every Child’s Hope On Grounds School end of year awards ceremony called SOAR which stands for Student Outstanding Achievement Recognition. There are several different types of awards given out at the ceremony but the SOAR Award is the High Honor Award. 

A student receiving a SOAR award had to meet the following criteria:

•            95% or higher average for the entire quarter
•          No detention for the entire quarter
•          No need for stabilization time for the entire quarter
•          No in-school or out of school suspension for the entire quarter

This day 17 students received a SOAR Award. I am told it is the highest number of students ever in one quarter.

In these times of schools struggling to meet the needs of their students, this was an uplifting and gratifying experience for me. Attendees at the event included all of our students, many parents, school staff, other agency staff and even community leaders, including the Mayor of Vinita Park. 
 

What we witnessed were children, many of whom have only known severe challenges and failure in their short academic careers, beaming with pride as they received awards for their achievements in academics and citizenship. It was obvious that the students were hooked and engaged in learning and that the school staff was invested in the students.

It was obvious that the ECH School has an atmosphere and culture of support and encouragement, which these children desperately need to find their way to success.
 

Mr. James McGee, the Mayor of Vinita Park, gave an inspirational speech that encouraged students to continue to strive to be the very best they can be.  Mayor McGee stressed the absolute vital importance of getting a good education. He even gave cash awards to the two top performing students in the school during the last quarter. His presence was a great reminder that these children are important to our community and need to be valued.

 

In today's world, working with children who have dealt with things at such a young age that most adults will never deal with, I was very moved by the SOAR Awards. When people get discouraged with reports on the news and with the bad things happening all around them, remember these 17 students at ECH who overcame tremendous barriers to achieve so much in such a short time.