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Feel Safe, Feel Big, Feel Connected |
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Good News
From St. Stephen's Youth Programs |
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| Early Spring Update | March 2011 |
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It's been a long and snowy winter for our B-READY after-school program! Just last week, we got our play areas in the South End and Lower Roxbury completely shoveled out, and our young people are enjoying the sunnier days and longer afternoon light. We're starting to plan for our summer program, B-SAFE 2011. It feels like a good time to reach out to share some highlights of our winter with friends and supporters and to thank you for your ongoing support and involvement with St. Stephen's Youth Programs. |
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 A Little R&R
Our B-READY after-school program continues to provide extensive academic support and to offer a wide variety of enrichment activities and experiences. In addition, this year has brought a renewed focus on promoting the personal wellness of our young people. Read more in this article - written by one of our social work interns - about how B-READY staff and volunteers have been learning how to help children relax, handle stress, and increase their wellness at: http://ssypasp.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/helping-our-children-stay-relaxed-and-well/.
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Behind the Camera
The photo gallery at right features several of the photographs that 13 of our middle and high school teens took as part of a Culture for Change art project, focusing on the issue of bullying. Read a teen's story of her experience and learn more about the project here:
http://ssypasp.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/inside-the-culture-for-change-project/. |
 Showing Off Our Serve! B-READY after-school program teens, staff, and volunteers accomplished three amazing feats of service on Martin Luther King Day in January. More than 140 individuals got involved!
At the Blackstone Elementary School, volunteers of various ages and different walks of life tackled the ongoing project of restoring the library and supported classroom clean-up projects. Read more at: http://ststephensyass.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/honoring-dr-king-a-beautiful-service-day/.
Also at the Blackstone, our teens made great progress on their annual community organizing project. This year, they joined forces with The Food Project to restore the Blackstone's formerly defunct greenhouse. One of our teens reports on the project at http://ssypasp.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/a-greenhouse-comes-back-to-life/.
At St. Stephen's Church in the South End, the Massachusetts Promise Fellows and Northeastern University hosted a site for their annual King Day of Service and more than 40 volunteers helped lead activities and worked with the kids. Read more at http://ssypasp.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/mlk-day-of-service-at-st-stephens-in-the-south-end.
Hot off the press: You can read more about our ongoing partnership work with the Blackstone Elementary School in this article about the March 2nd library opening:
http://ststephensyass.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/blackstone-library-opens-and-celebrates-read-across-america-day/. |
| Summer, Anyone?
Spring is right around the corner, which means it's time to start thinking about summer and B-SAFE 2011! 
New and returning partner churches are invited to the B-SAFE orientation meeting on Sunday, March 13, 1-3 p.m. at the Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill. More information about the event (or how to get involved at a later date) at: www.ststephensbos.org/partnerchurches.
Teens interested in volunteering as counselors-in-training (CITs) for one to two weeks this summer can get more information about the B-SAFE Teen VOLS program at www.ststephensbos.org/teenprograms.
Hiring for our 85+ summer staff including directors, counselors, and reading, math, technology, and art specialists is underway. If you have summer availability, a background in education or youth work, and enjoy working with youth, please visit www.ststephensbos.org/youthjobs to view job listings.
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Culture for Change Photo Gallery
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"I am bullied because of my RACE." By Sasha |
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"Being bullied makes me feel SILENT." By Brianna |
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"I am bullied because of my ECONOMIC STATUS." By Dashawn |
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"Being bullied makes me feel INSECURE."
By Franceska |
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| Upcoming Service Opportunities | |
B-READY after-school program volunteers needed for short-term service in May and the first two weeks of June! With many of our college student volunteers departing, we can always use extra help during after-school hours. Volunteers may tutor or just be an extra set of hands for a busy Lead Counselor as they guide their groups of children through afternoon activities. Contact Liz Steinhauser at lizsteinh@netzero.net.
Are you part of a group that is looking for a half or full day service project? We always have clean up and set up needs during June as we transition from our after-school programs to our summer programs at St. Stephen's in the South End and at the Church of St. Augustine and St. Martin in Lower Roxbury. Contact Liz Steinhauser at lizsteinh@netzero.net. |
| Contact Information |
The Reverend Timothy Crellin, Vicar of St. Stephen's Church
The Reverend Elizabeth Steinhauser, Director of Youth Programs
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