News from Pathways/Senderos Center Page 1 NEWS FROM… Pathways/Senderos Center A Publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. Volume 21, Number 1 Spring 2015 Pathways Grad - continued on page 7 MORE INSIDE... Co-Executive Directors’ Message 2 Student Spotlight 3 2014 Donors List 4-5 New Computers! 6 Enjoying & Creating Art in New Britain 7 Clean-Up Crew 8 Recently, our former student and Pathways graduate Karina Lopez contacted the Center to inform us that she will soon be receiving her Master’s Degree. We have always been proud of Karina and knew she would achieve great things, so this news simply solidified that belief. When she found out about the looming state budget cuts, she asked if there was anything she could do to help. We encourage all of our students, current and former, to be civic-minded, so we informed her that contacting state legislators may help. She didn’t hesitate for a moment. Below is her letter: To whom it may concern, I am writing this letter to express the importance of the program Pathways/ Senderos and my gratitude for all that the program offered me and so many others like me. My mother was a single parent and worked seventy hours a week to provide us shelter, clothing, and food. She did not have time to help with homework or school projects. My siblings and I were left to fend for ourselves and attend to our own needs. Everything was a struggle because we did not have someone guiding us. Then, at the age of nine, I learned about Pathways. Pathways appealed to me because of the computer labs, school materials, the various activities, and the opportunity to make friends. Soon, they became family; a family I badly needed and one I still keep close to my heart today. When I started the program at the end of fifth grade, everyone at the Center was warm, welcoming and kind. It didn’t take long to feel loved at Pathways. I was constantly asked about my day, my future goals, and my family. On top of that, I was given hugs by every staff member. This all meant so much to me. I felt I mattered. I came from a family whose main priority was surviving; there were no discussions at the dinner table, no hugs or extracurricular activities. When I needed someone, Pathways was there for me. Not only did I receive love, I received a comprehensive education. The staff members taught us about everything from exercising and eating right to opening a bank account. I learned about creative writing and photography. I learned how to write my first resume and how to apply for jobs. When the time came, they encouraged me to apply to college and helped me with my first college application and college essays. Pathways was even there for me the day I graduated high school. The Pathways/Senderos Center is important because they provide love, attention, time, and education to the students of New Britain. It is very difficult belonging to a Words From a Pathways Grad Karina on the day of her college commencement. Karina and her husband, Chauncey Rodriguez.
Transcript
News from Pathways/Senderos Center Page 1
NEWS FROM…Pathways/Senderos Center
A Publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc.
Volume 21, Number 1 Spring 2015
Pathways Grad - continued on page 7
MORE INSIDE...Co-Executive Directors’ Message 2 Student Spotlight 3 2014 Donors List 4-5
New Computers! 6 Enjoying & Creating Art in New Britain 7 Clean-Up Crew 8
Recently, our former student and Pathways graduate Karina Lopez contacted the Center to inform us that she will soon be receiving her Master’s Degree. We have always been proud of Karina and knew she would achieve great things, so this news simply solidified that belief. When she found out about the looming state budget cuts, she asked if there was anything she could do to help. We encourage all of our students, current and former, to be civic-minded, so we informed her that contacting state legislators may help. She didn’t hesitate for a moment. Below is her letter:
To whom it may concern,
I am writing this letter to express the importance of the program Pathways/Senderos and my gratitude for all that the program offered me and so many others like me.
My mother was a single parent and worked seventy hours a week to provide us shelter, clothing, and food. She did not have time to help with homework or school projects. My siblings and I were left to fend for ourselves and attend to our own needs. Everything was a struggle because we did not have someone guiding us. Then, at the age of nine, I learned about Pathways.
Pathways appealed to me because of the computer labs, school materials, the various activities, and the opportunity to make friends. Soon, they became family; a family I badly needed and one I still keep close to my heart today. When I started the program at the end of fifth grade, everyone at the Center was warm, welcoming and kind. It didn’t take long to feel loved at Pathways. I was constantly asked about my day, my future goals, and my family. On top of that, I was given hugs by every staff member. This all meant so much to me. I felt I mattered. I came from a family whose main priority was surviving; there were no discussions at the dinner table, no hugs or extracurricular activities. When I needed someone, Pathways was there for me.
Not only did I receive love, I received a comprehensive education. The staff members taught us about everything from exercising and eating right to opening a bank account. I learned about creative writing and photography. I learned how to write my first resume and how to apply for jobs. When the time came, they encouraged me to apply to college and helped me with my first college application and college essays. Pathways was even there for me the day I graduated high school.
The Pathways/Senderos Center is important because they provide love, attention, time, and education to the students of New Britain. It is very difficult belonging to a
Words From a Pathways Grad
Karina on the day of her college commencement.
Karina and her husband, Chauncey Rodriguez.
Page 2 News from Pathways/Senderos Center
After the long winter, spring is finally here! The seasons may change but the great work being done at Pathways/Senderos does not. The past months have been as successful and exciting as always; every day the center is bursting with youthful energy. Our participants continue to strive for excellence in and out of the classroom, strengthening their bonds to each other, to the Center, and to the bright future they all have in front of them.
As the state faces one of the largest budget deficits in recent years, there is some uncertainty in regards to state funding for our agency. We know that the work we do is important, meaningful, and valuable to society as a whole. Every teen pregnancy prevented tremendously benefits the families, the city, and the state. We have been through these times of uncertainty before and have always persevered, becoming a stronger and more successful organization because of it. We expect this time to be no different because of our undisputed 20 years of documented success. We continue to make a world of difference in the lives we change and plan on doing that for years to come. Whatever fluctuations in the state budget occur we know that we are and will continue to be stable for our participants and the families of New Britain.
The Pathways/Senderos family has never been stronger. Our participants are engaged and learning at all times. They bond to the staff and to each other in ways that greatly enhance their character and vision for their futures. The staff approaches every participant as an individual, developing relationships with each student and tailoring to their social, emotional and educational needs. We are very proud to report that our participants do well in school, make the honor roll, take leadership roles in different school organizations, participate in scholastic sports, and avoid the ever present dangers in their peer
groups and in the community. Our students are the future of society, and every day they come to Pathways they are taking a step towards a brighter future with more opportunity for success.
Pathways/Senderos is going on our 22nd year of offering high quality, independently evaluated services to the youth of New Britain. We have become a staple of youth-centered activities in the city, and our goal is to continue to positively impact the lives of the neediest youth in New Britain. We remain focused on serving our students and making sure that they are prepared educationally, socially, and emotionally for the real world. With the help of all our loyal supporters, our dedicated staff and Board of Directors, and our community allies, we are confident that Pathways/Senderos will continue to be a beacon of hope for all New Britain youth. We appreciate the opportunity we have had to help shape the future for so many youth over our 20 plus years and look forward to helping mold our participants into self-sufficient adults for the next 20 years.
Check out our web site www.pathways-senderos.comfor the latest news, photos and information about events.
All promotional publications, including this newsletter, are produced with private funds.
NEWS FROM Pathways/Senderos Center is a regular publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (GNBTPP), 43 Viets Street, New Britain, CT 06053 (phone) (860) 229-2776; (fax) (860) 229-8608 (e-mail) [email protected]. Web site: www.Pathways-Senderos.com.
GNBTPP is funded by the Connecticut Department of Social Services, City of New Britain Community Development Block Grant, Annual Appeal, and the Walk-a-thon. Contributions to GNBTPP are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law under the IRS 501 (c)(3) exemption.
BOARD OF DIRECTORSDerek A. Dibble, President(Clear Automation)David Sowa, M.D., Vice President(OB/GYN, Grove Hill Medical Center)Richard H. Pentore, Esq., Treasurer(Law Offices of Richard H. Pentore)Kathleen Sauer, RN LCSW,Corresponding Secretary(Community Volunteer)Pamela H. DelNegro, Esq.,Recording Secretary(Robinson & Cole, LLP)Richard Byer(Deming Insurance)Mary Kate Carroll(Community Volunteer)
Dr. Stephanie Garozzo(New Britain OB/GYN Group, PC)Donna Griffen, Ph.D.(Merril Lynch)Sarah Harris(Principal, Vance Village Elementary School)Karen Kellerman, LCSW(Community Volunteer)Katarzyna Maluszewski, Esq.(Forbes & Maluszewski) Roberto Mercado(New Britain High School)Jane Palley(Community Volunteer)
Follow us on Facebook!www.facebook.com/pathways.senderos
News from Pathways/Senderos Center Page 3
As always, we are very proud of our students’ accomplishments. We encourage our students to look to the future, but it is also important to reflect on that which they have already achieved. Over the last 6 months, our students have
achieved many great things. Below are the names of students who had perfect attendance at school as well as those who made the Honor Roll.
Middle School Honor Roll High School Honor Roll Syed Ali Carmen Arroyo Jenna Ciccolella Giovanni Cirrina Adiana Disdiel Kenneth Garcia Cindy Santiago Jordan Santos Nicole Villanueva Jaylinn Santana
Middle School Perfect Attendance High School Perfect Attendance Syed Ali Jordan Santos Nayelie Arroyo Giovanni Cirrina Jaylinn Santana Nicole Villanueva
In June, several students will be making important transitions in their education careers. Seven students are transitioning from 8th grade to high school, and four students will be graduating. It is hard to believe that some of these kids will be in high school already! And although we will be sad to not see our Seniors at the Center every day, we know they will be accomplishing many great things in their lives after graduation!
8th Graders Transitioning to High School: Seniors Graduating: Elijah Aponte Syed Ali Christian Almodovar Christian Adames Andres Lopez Luz Burgos Luis Santana Carlos Rios Yerick Taveras Nazir Vellon
Student Spotlight
With an abundance of energy at our Center every afternoon, being inside all winter can present its challenges. Fortunately for us, we have a makeshift table-tennis set-up with a portable net. Putting two of our wooden tables together has allowed us to create our very own unique Ping-Pong table. Students have rushed to play every day after school to challenge each other to games or to simply practice. It has been a great deal of fun and we’ve even had our own Pathways/Senderos tournament.
There are many benefits from table tennis that we have learned to appreciate in the time that we’ve had our set-up. Table tennis can improve concentration, mental alertness, hand-eye coordination, and tactical strategy. It doesn’t rely on digital technology or screens and can be played in a relatively small space. It’s a social game that has allowed our students and staff to bond and socialize, whether about the game itself or other matters. There is certainly a competitive spirit in the room when our students play, but also one of laughter and enjoyment. Students have learned that anyone can play this game and that the more you play, the more your skills and confidence grow.
Ping-Pong-ManiaBy Alexis Rodríguez
Our students recently discovered a passion for table tennis.
Page 4 News from Pathways/Senderos Center
Los Amigos De Senderos(Friends of Pathways/Senderos)
$500+Anonymous (2)Fred & Marsha L. Boratynski, Ph.DRevs. Ron Brown & Jane RoweJay Porter Bruemmer Charitable Lead TrustCommunity Health Network Of CT FoundationConry Asset Management, LLC.Mr. & Mrs. Michael DuncanRev. Katherine Fagerburg & Vernon BakerFirst Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC, Caroline Aston Fund, New BritainSarah Harris*Nancy HoweHowey Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater New BritainMary KrennDr. Nicholas & Mrs. Jackie* Lillo William Jr. and Anita ManuckRonald & Mary Beth McKennaNew Britain Bar AssociationNew Britain Central Labor Council, AFL-CIONew Britain Saturday Night Club Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater New BritainKathleen Sauer*Stanley Seniors Charitable Foundation., Inc.
Los Amigos De Futuro(Friends of the Future)
$100- $499Louis Jr. & Lisa AmodioStephen & Evelyn AndersonJanet BaileyBarbara BaronMartha BaylockEvelyn BergAmyjo A. BershawDr. Abraham & Estelle BernsteinBethany Covenant ChurchMary BritcherAntoinetta Capriglione, M.D.Maureen & Lennart CarlsonAlison CarranoAndre & Frances ChabotIan & Marinne CheneyMano-Lu ChristPeter & Marcelyn ClarkeDr. James & Mrs. Kristine Collin
Alison Coolbrith & Barry LastraPaul T. CzepigaAtty. Pamela H. Del Negro*Dr. Mark F. DiLoreto, DMD, P.C.Rosanne DruckmanJeff Dutko & Patricia MellyPatrick & JoAnne EganKen & Marie ElterichMaria FalvoFirst Lutheran Church of the Reformation, New BritainMichael & Laura ForanFowler Family Fund of Fidelity CharitableHelen J. FriedAnne HicksHoly Trinity Orthodox ChurchHospital of Central ConnecticutTed & Nancy Howe Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater New BritainGreg & Barbara HoweyBrian & Cori HumesJason & Sarah JakubowskiRon & Aurora JakubowskiDr. Ted & Nancy JohnsonJeffrey & Lorraine KatzPhilip KellermanKensington Congregational ChurchElizabeth KingJohn KingMary-Ann KjellquistBrian & Barbara LiistroLindquist Insurance AssociatesIan & Sylvia* LucasDr. David LundRonald MendelJohn & Barbara MeskillPeggy MillerNew Britain Municipal Employees, CSAMark & Dianne OrensteinJane Palley*Arthur & Karen PalmunenCarol PearsonPhilip PearsonAtty. Richard H. Pentore* & Mrs. Janina PentoreJohn & Betsy PerkinsPeter & Judith PeruginiJohn & Susan RathgeberDr. Peter & Pamela RosaKevin SalsburyStephen & Jacqueline StitesAngelo & Joy TomassoPaula D. TrigilioDr. Gerald & Katherine TullaiMike & Julie WalshDr. & Mrs. Joseph A. WelnaLee & Carol West
Los Amigos De Niños(Friends of the Children)
$1-$99Marie AbateDr. Rafael & Susan AdamesFrederick & Patricia AmbroszewskiRaymond & Barbara AndrewsCorrado & Sebastiana AnninoEileen BarriereEllen Kate BetancourtCourtney BournsJocelyn ColonDorothy DeccyDonald & Diane DeFronzoJohn & Loretta DelaneyNormand & Hughette DubeEdward & Ann DuncanMarybeth EatmonJean Watson EsselinkJennie C. EversonMary Ellen FarrellDr. Bruce & Kris FletcherPaulette FoxAnthony GarroFlorence GilletteMark & Vicki GriswoldDr. Jonathan & Carrie HammondMark & Kris HoffmanHoren Chiropractic CenterBarry & Angelina JacobsScott & Kathleen JohnsonElizabeth KellermanPaulette D. KellerstedtAlan & Miriam KennedyBenjamin KozowerDonald & Maureen KrehCarl & Dorothy KreinRobert & Shelley LangerElllen & Kenneth LeclairJack & Sarah LynnArnold MenchelRuth Ann MillsPaul & Carol NelsonJoanne NestiThomas & Vanda O’ReillyLeslie PaladinoMary Jane Cullum ParlowDr. & Mrs. John RodisMarilyn RonalterJudith ScaliseBarbara SladeckDominic Tambutto & Donna RozanskiDr. Michael S. Tosatti, D.M.D.Dr. Elizabeth YannelloEmile YuknaLois Zink
In Honor OfIn Honor of Director & Staff at Pathways Carlo Carlozzi, Jr.
In Honor of Dr. Charles Wahlburg Jr. Kathleen Sauer* Ann-Margaret AnselmoIn Honor of Nancy Howe Patricia Furnivall Jonathan & Carol Howe Elaine T. LowengardIn Honor of Karen Kellerman* David & Laura PelsIn Honor of Jackie Lillo* Janet G. Bailey Kathy & Lou DiCocco Wayne & Laura GoldnerIn Honor of Sylvia Lucas* Fenmore & Glady FeigenbaumIn Honor of Dr. Ann-Margaret Anselmo Dr. and Mrs. Charles V. Wahlburg Jr.
In Memory OfIn Memory of Lou Rio Peter Arakas & Karen Kellerman* Keith & Ann Bova Philip David & Pamela Rosin Alfred P. Franz Deborah Ann Milewski Donald & Joyce Rapoza Mark & Theresa Staranchak Ron & Pat Pisciotta Ronald M. PringleIn Memory of Laura Pagliarulli Peter Arakas & Karen Kellerman*In Memory of David Fiori Peter Arakas & Karen Kellerman*In Memory of James Murphy Peter Arakas & Karen Kellerman*In Memory of J.B. & Lil Beach Osgood Beach Farm Endowment Trust
In KindTrisha AlbaneseAIG FarmingtonAmerican Savings FoundationAnonymousEugenio AyalaVanessa BarneschiKristie BeckwithFred and Marsha BoratynskiMarion BradleyKatie BushoyRichard Byer*Mary Kate Carroll*Patricia CassidyDarlene Clark
Pamela ClaywellClimax ChapterCT TransitElizabeth CrooksCVS Community RelationsPamela Del Negro*Lou & Kathy DiCoccoSandra DizenzoDerek Dibble*Rosanne DruckmanChip EvelethStephanie Garozzo*Cara GerentDonna Griffen*Hospital of Central ConnecticutJason & Sarah JakubowskiRonald JakubowskiScott & Kathleen JohnsonPeter Arakas & Karen Kellerman*Amanda Kelsey Kristin KibblerDerek and Gina KozlowskiLaboratory at Hospital of Central ConnecticutJudyta LearyIan and Sylvia* LucasKerri-Lynn MajorKatarzyna Maluszewski*Carolyn MangiaficoBarbara MaselekAmy McGloinRoberto Mercado*Barbara MeskillKeri MillerPatrick MorrellPaul and Carol NelsonNew Britain Rock CatsJane Palley*Papa’s Dodge, Inc.Richard Pentore*Michael PerinDino PuzzoGerard RoyRaymond RutaKathleen Sauer*Margaret SheaNaomi SigallCheryl SilvestroMelissa SimardTim St. AndrewSue and Bill SonstromLeonora ThramannYWCA New Britain-StriveSara Wild-JonesDr. David Sowa*
20th Anniversary GalaPlatinumHartford Foundation for Public Giving (Morningstar Fund)GoldBarile Printers, Inc.
2014 Donors ListGreater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc.
We wish to thank our donors for their generosity and vision. The essential supportsystem that our youngsters receive puts them on the path to success now and in the future.
News from Pathways/Senderos Center Page 5
In Recognition of Your Support Thanks to our donors’ commitment, vision, and belief in Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention Inc., we have successfully served underprivileged youth and parents in New Britain for over 20 years. We are proud that during that time 100% of our participants who stay in the program graduate from high school, 98% have remained pregnancy-free, 73% of our graduates continue on to higher education, and 76% of our graduates have begun full-time employment. Without your generosity and your support, it is probable that these successes would not have materialized. Please realize that your contributions positively affect local youth, your community, and ultimately, the future. Remember that our first program participants are now college graduates, property owners, taxpayers, and leaders. We hope that you have taken the time to browse the donors list to see who our many wonderful supporters are; you will find your friends, neighbors, and business associates. Our Gift Clubs enable us to more completely recognize and acknowledge your gifts. The donations you make this year are totaled when identifying your Gift Club placement in the 2015 Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. Pathways/Senderos Donors roster. The Gift Clubs are: $500+ Los Amigos De Senderos (Friends of Pathways), $100-$499 Los Amigos De Futuro (Friends of the Future), $1-$99 Los Amigos De Ninos (Friends of the Children).Please consider joining one of our gift clubs in 2015…Invest in the future of our youth and community!
New Britain Museum of American ArtPamela Del Negro*Salute RestaurantSilverAmerican Savings FoundationGrove Hill Medical GroupThe Hospital of Central ConnecticutHospital for Special Care Foundation, Inc.New Britain OB/GYN Group, P.C.BronzeDerek* and DeAnna DibbleGriffen Group of Merrill LynchSarah Harris*Kohl’sKathleen Sauer*PatronPeter Arakas & Karen* KellermanPatty & John KingSylvia* & Ian LucasDiana MacPherson & Bob FarrNew Britain Pediatric Group, PCAlan Stern, M.D. & Cyndi Billian SternDino S. PuzzoValenti Wealth Management, LLCFriendRafael S. Adames, Ed.DVanessa BarneschiLouise P. BelkinShirley A. BlackRoderick H. BrownTheresa F. CarnesAbby ChamberlainLeslie C. ClarkSarah D. CormierDavid DeFronzo & Monica HermanowskiDeming Financial Services, Inc./Rick Byer*Mark F. DiLoreta, DMDHelen DilzerRosanne DruckmanEugene & Patricia EdwardsKenneth & Marie ElterichMaureen Fitzpatrick & Gerald NeippNancy HicksPeter & Kathleen JannuzziTed H. JohnsonTodd & Sarah KallmanPhillip KellermanJohn & Barbara MeskillLynda MoeckerJoanne NestiDavid O’ConnellThomas & Sandra O’Reilly
Mark & Diane OrensteinJadwiga PanusLori A. PrincipeTim & Kathy RancourtTown & Country Transportation, Co.Dr. & Mrs. Joseph WelnaLiveGriffen FamilyKathleen Sauer*Dr. David Sowa*SilentBerlin BikeMarsha BoratynskiConnecticut Science CenterCurt, Rich and Russ NemarichESPNHair Color CompanySarah Harris*Friend of Sarah Harris*Hartford StageHartford Symphony OrchestraLego Systems, Inc.Max PizzaMonarch JewelersNaples PizzaNew Britain Museum of American ArtJackie Lillo* Old Sturbridge VillageOmni SportsAtty. Rick Pentore*Products SalonDr. David Sowa*
15th Annual Walk-A-ThonPresenting SponsorAmerican Savings FoundationPlatinum SponsorsGrove Hill Medical CenterNew Britain OB/GYN Group, P.CThrivent Financial for LutheransGold SponsorsNew Britain EMS ServicesThe Petit Family FoundationSSACT RX, INC.Sue & Bill SonstromSilver SponsorsBarile Printers Inc.Derek* and DeAnna Dibble Sarah Harris*The Jakubowski FamilyMicrocare CorporationPeople’s United BankTomasso Brother Inc.
Bronze SponsorsAnonymousDeming Financial Services, Inc./Rick Byer*Ken & Marie ElterichFamilia Rodriguez-SaavedraFarmington BankRobert Farr & Diana MacPhersonJones, Raphael & Oulundsen, IncKaestle Boos Associates, Inc.Karen Kellerman* & Atty. Peter ArakasThe Labrador Group LLC.- UberdogLouis P. Slade Middle SchoolIan & Sylvia* LucasAtty. Richard H. Pentore* & Mrs. Janina PentoreKathleen Sauer* “In Memory of Dr. Ferd Sauer”St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran ChurchRaffle Prize DonationsAnonymous (2)Marsha L. BoratynskiHartford Symphony OrchestraSarah Harris*Hoffman Auto GroupRogers Orchards, Inc.New Britain Rock CatsCyndi SternSalute Restaurant
GrantsAmerican Savings FoundationCapital Workforce PartnersCity of New Britain, Community Development Block GrantCommunity Foundation of Greater New BritainConnecticut Department of Social ServicesConnecticut Office of Policy and ManagementFoodshare, Inc.Olga Sipolin Children’s Fund, Bank of America, N.A. Co-TrusteeFarmington Bank Community Foundation, Inc.
Employer Matching GiftsAetna Foundation, Inc.Chubb & Son Inc., a Div. of Federal Ins. CoThe Fund for Greater HartfordGIVE WITH LIBERTY/Liberty Mutual Insurance
Merck Partnership for GivingStanley Black & Decker
VolunteersMarsha Boratynski, Ph.DCarlo Carlozzi, Jr.Melanie CarrKathryn CarreroSandra CarreroTony CarreroEddy Fritz of Remix PlanetChristine GunawanSteven GunawanAlexandria IngletonAshley IngletonJackie Lillo*Tatiana MartinezDanerick PeraltaDiego PeraltaTerrance ReganJohanna SantiagoJosue SantosKathleen Sauer*UCONN Medical School, Urban Service Track
* denotes 2014 board members
This list reflects 2014 donations made through December 31. If we have inadvertently omitted any donor’s name, please accept our apologies and immediately notify Nick or Heather. We will acknowledge your generosity in the next newsletter. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Page 6 News from Pathways/Senderos Center
In conjunction with the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and the month of February, our students embarked on a Black History Month project that sought to shed light on some historical figures and events in American history. Students worked individually or in pairs and researched facts about people or events important to the Civil Rights Movement in our nation. This project provided an opportunity for students to learn about history that they were not too familiar with. We were also able to take a group of students to see the movie Selma in theaters. The movie, and the project as a whole, showed students that while Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is well-known and often discussed, there are many more obscure figures that played an important role in bringing progress to our society.
Although many of our students had some knowledge about segregation, they were surprised at the extent in which it was engrained in everyday life. The story of the Little Rock Nine resonated with many of our students who could not fathom that people were turned away from entering a school because of their skin color. Some people that were researched during this project included Jackie Robinson, Mae Jemison, George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B DuBois, and Coretta Scott King. We always encourage our students to learn outside of school, especially with the technology that is available to them. Learning how to utilize the internet for research and knowledge is critical to educational growth in the 21st century, and learning about unsung heroes and important events in American history allows us to put the past into perspective.
Black History Month ProjectBy Alexis Rodríguez
Our Black History month project on display at the Center.
Early this year, we received a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain’s Catalyst Fund to purchase new computers and equipment for the Center. This is a great opportunity for us because improved technology at our Center will have many benefits for our program and participants. Throughout our 22 year history, we have been forced to settle for secondhand technology. Our students work with a small number of obsolete computers that lack the capacity to handle much of the necessary work. With this new equipment, our students will be able to easily and efficiently access computers and the internet for homework and school projects. The new computers will allow all participants to have daily computer and online access, whereas now only 10-12 people can work on computers at a time. We will also purchase a few tablets and projectors in order to provide more audio-visual presentations, which can help improve the delivery of instruction and increase the comprehension level among students.
This opportunity will improve our ability to help prepare students for the future. By learning to use technology, students will develop skills essential for the 21st century. They will learn the critical thinking and workplace skills needed to be successful in a technological age. Additionally, staff members will be able to more effectively and efficiently input and track student data, as well as communicate with
parents, teachers, and community leaders. We will guard against any negative effects of technology integration (such as overuse of games and social media) by ensuring students are trained on the proper use and etiquette of the resources.
This project will benefit all 60 Pathways participants and their families by greatly improving two of our most important program components: Academic Assistance and Career Readiness. Academic Assistance is our keystone component; we provide educational assistance on a daily basis, including during vacations and summer break to avoid summer learning loss. The Career Component teaches the relationship between educational attainment, hard work, and long-term professional growth, developing among our disadvantaged youths a strong work ethic that emphasizes responsibility, loyalty, and teamwork. These new computers will allow participants to effectively complete school projects as well as research potential careers, and all of our age-eligible participants will have access to and assistance with online applications.
We are very excited about this opportunity and appreciative of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain for making it possible!
New Computers!By Geoff Elterich
News from Pathways/Senderos Center Page 7
Pathways Grad - continued from page 1
family that struggles with survival, and most New Britain families do. Pathways is about education and providing opportunities for their students to learn, grow, and experience a life that is otherwise denied to them.
Without Pathways and the staff members who worked every day to encourage and guide me, I would have not succeeded as I have today. I would not have had the courage to apply to the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts. I would not have had the strength and skills to attend a college several states away. It is because of the love and life skills Pathways instilled in me that I was able to do all the things I have done.
Today, I have become an educated and hardworking woman. I am the first in my family to have earned a Bachelor’s Degree. On May 14th 2015, I will receive my Master’s Degree. Because Pathways believed in me, I believed in myself. They accepted me and encouraged me to fight and work past my life obstacles, to persevere and succeed regardless of where I came from. Pathways is more than just a place to do homework and hang out. Pathways is a family that is there for you when you need one. Pathways is a beacon of hope, love and strength that the youth of New Britain need.
I look forward to the day I can give back to Pathways as much as they have given me.
Sincerely,Karina Lopez
In March, we took several middle school students to the New Britain Museum of American Art for the afternoon. We were taken on a tour of the museum by our friends and volunteers/art coordinators Melanie Carr and Terrence Reagan. They frequently visit our Center to conduct a variety of art projects with our students, so this time we decided to visit their workplace. They led us on a tour through the museum, informing students about the histories of the various pieces and their creators. Our students were fascinated with one painting in particular, The Cycle of Terror and Tragedy: September 11, 2001. It is a huge piece that represents the tragic losses suffered on 9/11. As a group, we discussed the work at length and reflected on the meaning of the powerful images within the work.
Another exhibit that really captured the attention of our students was the installation created by Soo Sunny Park on the LeWitt Family Staircase. The stunning piece is composed of weaving a metal grid—similar to a fence—and clear, iridescent plexiglass, which reflects and refracts the light coming in from the windows. The students gazed in wonder at the intricate design and the amazing detail involved.
After about an hour of viewing the beautiful artwork throughout the museum, we worked on our own Soo Sunny Park inspired pieces in the art lab. The students learned how much time, effort, and patience it takes to create art. We continued to work on the pieces when Melanie and Terrence visited us at the Center a few weeks later.
Everybody had a great time and we plan on returning to the museum in May. This type of field trip is so important to our boys and girls because they are so often isolated in one small section of the city and don’t realize the many opportunities that are available to them right here in New Britain. We wish to thank the museum for their hospitality and especially thank Melanie and Terrence for all they do for us!
Enjoying and Creating Art in New BritainBy Geoff Elterich
Our students enjoyed New Britain’s own art museum! Students contemplate the powerful painting commemorating 9/11.
GREATER NEW BRITAINTEEN PREGNANCYPREVENTION, Inc.43 Viets StreetNew Britain, CT 06053
Established in 1993, Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (GNBTPP) is based onDr. Michael Carrera’s successful prevention model developed in Harlem, NY. The Carrera philosophy states “In order to create an environment wherepositive change can occur, it is necessary to influence multiple facets of young people’s lives over a continuous and prolonged period of time.”
Because academic success is the key to teenpregnancy prevention, the core of this programintegrates educational support with career/vocational preparation and family life education.
To accomplish its goals, GNBTPP has createda public-private partnership involving all of thecommunity’s key stakeholders that maximizes existing local resources.
Programming and participants at GNBTPP are evaluated annually by an independent social scientist to ensure that outcomes are measured accurately.
This newsletter is printed in color due to the generosity of Barile Printers, who covered a substantial part of the color-printing costs.
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No. 151
Cheshire, CT 06410
The Pathways/SenderosClean-Up Crew
Great Workers! Great Prices!
We offer our services for:
Leaf Raking MulchYard Clean-up Painting
Any possible job!Give us a call and we’ll tell you if we can do it!
