Saturday, February 22, 9:00am

-PEACHTREE ROAD RACE QUALIFIER

-WANTED: RACE VOLUNTEERS...

AND RUNNERS!

 

Vic Pentz, Senior Pastor of Peachtree Presbyterian Church, tells students from two LaAmistad After School sites the true meaning of Christmas. LaAmistad's Christmas celebration at Peachtree Presbyterian Church also included pictures with Santa, gifts for every student and younger siblings, caroling, and a meal prepared by LaAmistad's families that rivaled those of the finest restaurants in Atlanta.

 

The Cathedral of St. Philip and Westminster Presbyterian Church locations combine to serve over 40 Garden Hills Elementary School students each week. In the short time LaAmistad has served Garden Hills, the principal, faculty, and school community have seen the positive effects that LaAmistad has on its students, and have joined the other schools LaAmistad serves in spreading positive words about our organization. LaAmistad is hoping to continue to grow next year through the means of grants and donations made by generous donors like yourselves. Many school leaders have actively sought out LaAmistad in hopes of having LaAmistad uplift their school community in areas all throughout north Atlanta, and we hope we can answer their cry for help.

 

LaAmistad partner Lockheed Martin was generous enough to give LaAmistad middle school students a private tour of their Atlanta facility late in 2013. The tour was conducted by three Lockheed engineers and included rare access to secure areas of the facility as well as the manufacturing floor. The students were presented a slideshow that gave a detailed history of all of the aircraft that Lockheed Martin has constructed since it was founded in March 1995. Thanks to all of the Lockheed Martin employees who made this visit possible, and to the Georgia Tech chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, who prepped the students for this occasion.

LaAmistad launched its Leadership Series this fall, and is proud to announce that many positive community leaders have been introduced to LaAmistad's group of middle and elementary school students. Here, Pedro Marin, a member of Georgia's House of Representatives and a champion of both Latino rights and education, speaks to LaAmistad middle school and fifth grade students about the importance of hard work and dedication to a cause. Please see the list of community leaders below that LaAmistad students have already had the pleasure of meeting and listening to.

On January 24, LaAmistad welcomed The Atlanta Opera to The Lodge at Peachtree Presbyterian Church for a performance of the bilingual En Mis Palabras (In My Words). Hundreds of people showed up for these talented individuals who put on a marvelous show. Four singers, one pianist, and one guitarist portrayed the story of a teenage girl struggling to find her own voice and her father helping her along the way. Thank you to everybody who pulled this night together!

Thanks to AW Media Group and Atlanta Hawks player Lou Williams and his foundation, LaAmistad students enjoyed Hawks Night at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games in December. Also, thanks to the generosity of the Alpharetta Family Skate Center and The Cooler, LaAmistad middle school students were able to ice skate until their hearts were content one afternoon this past January.

Jonathan Bello was a third-grade student when LaAmistad opened its doors in 2001. According to Executive Director Cat McAfee, Jonathan was a true terror when it came to his behavior. Jonathan was a part of the program that meets at Peachtree Presbyterian Church for several years before his family moved to Marietta. LaAmistad must have had a deep impact on Jonathan, though, because as staff witnessed today, he is now a gentle giant, as kind and good-natured as can be. He visits Cat (both featured to the right) every two or three years to thank her and the staff for everything they have given to him. Jonathan, now 20 years old, recalls how friendly everybody at the program was. As Jimmy Mock exhibited, tough love was in full effect though. "The volunteers and mentors were nice, but they also expected us to try our best at all times."

The lessons taught at LaAmistad sank in, and in 2012 Jonathan graduated from Osborne High School as JROTC Master Sergeant. He was proudly part of his school's JROTC Drill Team, Honor Guard, Saber Guard, Color Guard, and Flag Detail. This afternoon, he was on his way to an interview when he swung by to say hello to everyone. He wishes to begin a career in the food and beverage industry. He has hopes of one day opening a sub shop with his step-father.

3434 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305 ˇ 404-842-2183