news from… pathways/senderos center · news from pathways/senderos center is a regular...

8
News from Pathways/Senderos Center Page 1 NEWS FROM… Pathways/Senderos Center Volume 25, Number 1 Spring 2019 MORE INSIDE... A Letter from the Directors .......................................... 2 Our Donors............................................ 4-5 Pathways and OIC .............................. 6 Student Spotlight, Transitioning Upwards! ................. 6 A Graduate Gives Back ........................ 7 Walk-A-Thon....................................... 8 In January, we started painting a mural on one of the inside walls in our Center at 43 Viets Street. Deborah Weik, a friend of our longtime volunteer and board member Jackie Lillo, creates custom, hand-painted designs. She has done murals for many places, including the Wolcott Public Library. After visiting the Center and explaining the process to our students, she let them take over! The students designed the mural and spent the next few months creating it with Debbie’s guidance and supervision. This was an amazing project in many ways. First and foremost, it provided our students with an opportunity to lead and to be creative. Often times, their schedules and assignments are very strictly regimented, and they are expected to simply follow the directions. This project gave them the freedom to create what they wanted, and it put the responsibility of finishing the project completely in their hands. Now, the beautiful finished product is a constant reminder of what they are capable of accomplishing when they put in the time and effort. The mural has given our students a sense of ownership and pride in their hard work. In addition to boosting their self- esteem, painting and creating art can be very therapeutic, even just taking in and enjoying artwork can relieve stress. The process of designing and then painting something specific allowed students to focus on a single task and put in as much effort as they want, without judgment or criticism. It was a great bonding experience as well; when children create together, they learn a lot about each other and themselves. Some students worked on their own, some worked in Creating Art and Lifelong Memories By Geoff Elterich Continued on Page 3 The process begins! Debbie shows Syed, Karina, and Sandie the ropes. The foundation is laid! Brayan and Diego take notes. Syed, Cindy and Adiana make finishing touches. The beautiful finished mural!

Upload: others

Post on 17-Aug-2020

4 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: NEWS FROM… Pathways/Senderos Center · NEWS FROM Pathways/Senderos Center is a regular publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (GNBTPP), 43 Viets Street,

News from Pathways/Senderos Center Page 1

NEWS FROM…Pathways/Senderos Center

Volume 25, Number 1 Spring 2019

MORE INSIDE...A Letter from the Directors .......................................... 2 Our Donors............................................ 4-5 Pathways and OIC .............................. 6

Student Spotlight, Transitioning Upwards! ................. 6 A Graduate Gives Back ........................ 7 Walk-A-Thon ....................................... 8

In January, we started painting a mural on one of the inside walls in our Center at 43 Viets Street. Deborah Weik, a friend of our longtime volunteer and board member Jackie Lillo, creates custom, hand-painted designs. She has done murals for many places, including the Wolcott Public Library. After visiting the Center and explaining the process to our students, she let them take over! The students designed the mural and spent the next few months creating it with Debbie’s guidance and supervision.

This was an amazing project in many ways. First and foremost, it provided our students with an opportunity to lead and to be creative. Often times, their schedules and assignments are very strictly regimented, and they are expected to simply follow the directions. This project gave them the freedom to create what they wanted, and it put the responsibility of finishing the

project completely in their hands. Now, the beautiful finished product is a constant reminder of what they are capable of accomplishing when they put in the time and effort. The mural has given our students a sense of ownership and pride in their hard work.

In addition to boosting their self-esteem, painting and creating art can be very therapeutic, even just taking in and enjoying artwork can relieve stress. The process of designing and then painting something specific allowed students to focus on a single task and put in as much effort as they want, without judgment or criticism. It was a great bonding experience

as well; when children create together, they learn a lot about each other and themselves. Some students worked on their own, some worked in

Creating Art and Lifelong MemoriesBy Geoff Elterich

Continued on Page 3

The process begins! Debbie shows Syed, Karina, and Sandie the ropes.

The foundation is laid! Brayan and Diego take notes. Syed, Cindy and Adiana make finishing touches.

The beautiful finished mural!

Page 2: NEWS FROM… Pathways/Senderos Center · NEWS FROM Pathways/Senderos Center is a regular publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (GNBTPP), 43 Viets Street,

Page 2 News from Pathways/Senderos Center

We often receive questions from people in and around the community about how we have been able to achieve the level of success we have had with our students throughout our 26 years of operations. It is very common for supporters or prospective donors to ask, “How do you do it? How does it work? Is there a trick, or some magic formula?” Every time, our refrain is always the same: to truly make a positive impact on a child’s life, to help them change their “normal” and achieve successes they did not even think were possible, there needs to be an investment in an interpersonal relationship with each individual child; there needs to be consistency in that investment; and there needs to be a long-term approach, not a quick fix.

At Pathways, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive, holistic approach to youth development. We are in this work for the long haul. Our participants come to us in the beginning stages of adolescence; we then guide and track them in those tumultuous teenage years through high school graduation. That long term approach allows us to truly influence the social, emotional, and educational development of each child. There is a reason our graduates always come back to the Center to visit, volunteer, or donate; by the time our students graduate high school, we are no longer just a program to them, we are their second family, their second home. We have been by their side as they navigate their teenage years and prepare themselves for life as self-sufficient adults. We support them as they do well, and we help pick them up when they need it. Our students can be assured that when they get out of school every day, we will be here to help them with their homework, discuss things that are bothering them, or just listen to what happened during their day. Our students’ lives are filled with

inconsistency—transient living situations and adults coming in and out of their lives—but Pathways remains a stable, consistent, parallel family that they can rely on.

There is no secret to youth development, just being there every day as they progress through their teenage years, helping when they need help, listening when they need someone to listen, and guiding them back on the right path when they go astray. There is no magic formula, just consistency. Over the years, we have been blessed with great young men and women that have committed to us in the same manner we have committed to them. We are also very fortunate to have amazing supporters and champions of Pathways in the community. We could never do what we do alone; we need the support of our Board of Directors, our staff, our volunteers, and our community supporters. We have always relied on the generosity of foundations and donors, and considering the state’s budget woes, we rely on you all now more than ever before.

Based on our track record over the last quarter century, we truly believe that our recipe for success is transformative, and we take great pride in all that we have accomplished during the past 26 years. We look forward to watching our students grow, day by day and year by year, and we are excited to continue sharing with all of you their wonderful successes and amazing accomplishments!

Heather MillsNick JakubowskiCo-Executive Directors

A Letter from the Directors

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; (e-mail) [email protected]. Website: www.Pathways-Senderos.com.

GNBTPP is funded by the City of New Britain Community Development Block Grant, American Savings Foundation, United Way, the Connecticut Judicial Branch, the Connecticut Department of Social Services, our Annual Appeal, and our annual Walkathon. Contributions to GNBTPP are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law under the IRS 501 (c)(3) exemption.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSSarah Harris, President(Principal, Vance Village Elementary School)Richard Byer, Vice-President(Deming Insurance)Molly Satalino, MSW,Corresponding Secretary(Community Mental Health Affiliates)Roberto Mercado, Recording Secretary(New Britain High School)Timothy St. Andrew, Treasurer(Voya Financial)Mary Kate Carroll(Louis P. Slade Middle School)Elizabeth Chasse(Lincoln Pediatrics)

Stephanie Garozzo, MD(New Britain OB/GYN Group, PC)Janice Grega-Mals(Consolidated School District of New Britain)Jacqueline Lillo(Community Volunteer)Jane Palley(Community Volunteer)Richard H. Pentore, Esq., Past President(Law Offices of Richard H. Pentore)Kayla Reasco(Office of US Senator Chris Murphy)Paula Trigilio(Community Volunteer)

STAFFHeather Mills, Co-Executive DirectorNick Jakubowski, Co-Executive DirectorGeoff Elterich, Community Education CoordinatorEyda Calderon-Mantovani, Outreach WorkerDiego Peralta, Academic TutorCarol Comrie, Staff Accountant

Follow us on Facebook!www.facebook.com/pathways.senderos

Follow us on Twitter! twitter.com/pathwaysenderos

Check out our web site www.pathways-senderos.comfor the latest news, photos and information about events.

to what happened during their day. Our students’ lives are filled with

Page 3: NEWS FROM… Pathways/Senderos Center · NEWS FROM Pathways/Senderos Center is a regular publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (GNBTPP), 43 Viets Street,

pairs, and others worked in larger groups, but almost every student (and staff member!) added something to the mural. A few students helped paint the green and blue background, others outlined the sun and the hills, and some painted a single butterfly or a bumble bee. Regardless of what they painted, they were all a part of the project, and their contribution will live on for as long as we stay in this building.

In the next few months, we will be conducting art enrichment projects at the Center and inviting parents and family members to join. Parental engagement is key to student success, and we hope that these art projects can provide the sense of bonding between students and parents that this project has provided between students and staff at the Center. After this mural and other art projects we’ve done in the past, we see the positive results and we recognize the importance of

providing such opportunities, so we hope to do so well into the future.

In addition to the positive impact on our students, the mural has really brightened up our Center! We love our building but the walls have always been a little bland, which is why we try to decorate throughout the year as much as possible. Instead of hanging up posters and decorations like usual, this time we decided to just go right to the source and paint the wall, and we are glad that we did! Come by the Center and take a look! You may be inspired to create your own!

News from Pathways/Senderos Center Page 3

Creating Art and Lifelong Memories Continued from Page 1

Diego and Sandie take a break for the camera!

Worker bees Serenity, Desiree and Denison contributing!

Samarra and Kasianna working diligently!

Adiana and Nicole take to the skies!

Debbie and Jackie. We presented Debbie with flowers and a scrapbook. We can’t thank her enough!

Page 4: NEWS FROM… Pathways/Senderos Center · NEWS FROM Pathways/Senderos Center is a regular publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (GNBTPP), 43 Viets Street,

Friends of Pathways/Senderos(Los Amigos De Senderos)$500+

Mary Britcher

Creed Monarch Inc.

Peter & Marcelyn Clarke

First Church of Christ,

Congregational, UCC, Caroline

Aston Fund

Emily & David Davison

Charitable Fund

Kenneth & Marie Elterich

Rev. Katherine Fagerburg &

Vernon Baker

Terrence & Kathy Griswold

Sarah Harris*

Elizabeth Kellerman & Leonora

Thramann

Dr. Nicholas & Jackie* Lillo

Carol Pearson

Kathleen Sauer

South Congregational Church

Stanley Seniors Charitable Fdtn.,

Inc.

United Way

Friends of the Future(Los Amigos De Futuro)

$100-$499Atty. Peter Arakas & Karen

Kellerman

Stephen & Evelyn Anderson

Drs. Jen & Michael Baldwin

Theresa Baylock

Evelyn Berg

Amyjo Bershaw

Fred and Marsha Boratynski

Mike Brooks

Roderick & Sara Brown

Robert C. Burrill

Peter and Gail Byeff

Richard Byer*

John & Karen Canora

Antoinetta Capriglione, M.D.

Alison Carrano

Mary Kate Carroll*

Andre & Frances Chabot

Elizabeth Chasse*

Mano-Lu Christ

Dr. James & Kristine Collin

Rosanne Druckman

Lydia Dyson

Patrick & Joanne Egan

Geoff Elterich

Jean Watson Esselink

Jane Farr

Robert Farr & Diana MacPherson

Ronald & Donna Filipek

Michael & Laura Foran

Gordon & Molly Fowler

Elizabeth Fumiatti

Wayne & Laura Goldner

Larry & Nancy Hollen

Jonathan & Carol Howe

Nicholas Jakubowski

Ronald & Aurora Jakubowski

Peter & Kathleen Jannuzzi

Doug & Lois John

Craig & Susan Johnson

Jeffrey & Lorraine Katz

Philip Kellerman

Kensington Congregational

Church

Lawrence A. Goldberg Trust

Brian & Barbara Liistro

Lindquist Insurance Associates

Ian & Sylvia Lucas

Julie McNeil

Roberto Mercado*

John & Barbara Meskill

Margaret A. Miller

Joanne Nesti

New Britain Municipal Employee

New Britain Pediatric Group

Margaret Nicklas

Dave & Patricia O’Connell

Mark & Dianne Orenstein

Arthur & Karen Palmunen

Jane Palley* & Lawrence Young

Philip Pearson

Atty. Richard H. Pentore* &

Janina Pentore

Mario Perez & Nina S. Livingston

Daniel & Wai Price

Ronald M. Pringle

John and Susan Rathgeber

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Ruta

Paul & Annette Salina

Molly Satalino*

Tom & Jude Satalino

Alan & Cyndi Stern

Tomasso Brothers, Inc.

Gerald & Katherine Tullai

Lindsley Wellman

Joseph & Mary Ann Welna

Friends of the Children(Los Amigos De Ninos)

$1-$99Aser Abdel Massih

Frederick & Patricia

Ambroszewski

Raymond and Barbara Andrews

Anne Aurand

Elizabeth Aurand

Barbara Baron

Eileen & Gregory Barriere

Rosemary & Martha Baylock

Louise Belkin

Abraham & Estelle Bernstein

Arlyce Berrouet

Suzanne Bielinski

Jack & Barbara Blechner

Frank & Betsy Bradley

Rita Brochu

Susan Brodeur

Ronald Brown

Regina Pompa Burgio

Ann Carabillo

Gloria C. Casner

Kelvin Castro

Central CT Chiropractic PC

Connecticut Valley Bindery

Patricia Cosentino

Paul & Janet Culton

Todd Czerwinski

Frank & Diane D’Addabbo

Donald & Diane DeFronzo

Derek & DeAnna Dibble

Lynn Dolan & Kevin Wojcik

Normand & Hughette Dube

Mary Ellen Farrell

Fenmore Feigenbaum

Charimar Figueroa

Dr. Bruce & Kristina Fletcher

Khall and Yvette Ghannam

Lee & Florence Gillette

Jonathan, Jr. & Carrie Hammond

Annette Holloway

Jason & Sarah Jakubowski

Mark McGuire & Robin Kearns

Miriam S. Kennedy

John King

Bob Kosher & Caroline Dealy

Carl & Dorothy Krein

Robert & Shelley Langer

Jack & Sarah Lynn

Patricia Mahoney

Gerald & Kathleen McAuliffe

Patricia Mele

Kathleen Murphy

Paul & Carol Nelson

Vanda O’Reilly

Leslie Paladino

Mary Jane Parlow

Dave & Laura Pels

Danerick Peralta

Diego Peralta

Ferris Phengsy

Robert Putnam

Robert & Idalmi Ramsey

The Real Estate Exchange

Marilyn M. Ronalter

James, SR. & Mary Lou Sanders

Matt & Lauren Scofield

Steven & Carole Shmurak

Donald & Elayne Slive

Mark & Marian St. Andrew

Alicia Strong

Dominic Tambutto & Donna

Rozanski

Susan Truglio

Lisette Velasquez

Marc & Jennifer Vendetti

Idalia Crespo Villarini

Charles, Jr. & Carolyn Wahlber

Bruce & Roberta Wilson

William & Lorraine Wixon

Jordan Wodecki

Lois Zink

In Honor OfIn Honor of Directors & Staff at

Pathways

-Carlo Carlozzi, Jr.

In Honor of Sarah Harris

-John and Christine Harris

-Janice Vendetti and Bonnie

McRee

In Honor of Nicholas Jakubowski

-Corlene Swanski-Agos

In Honor of Karen Kellerman

-Donald & Elayne Slive

In Honor of Jackie Lillo*

-Kathy & Lou DiCocco

-Scott and Jill Waller

In Honor of Heather Mills

-Corlene Swanski-Agos

In Honor of Spike Orvis

-Janice Vendetti and Bonnie

McRee

In Honor of Kathleen Sauer

-Louise P. Belkin

In Memory OfIn Memory Of J.B. & Lil Beach

-Osgood Beach Farm

Endowment Trust

In Memory Of Alice Davis

-Sarah Harris*

In Memory Of James H. Harris

-Sarah Harris*

In Memory Of Nancy Furnivall

Howe

-Patricia Furnivall

In Memory Of Margaret Kerchis

-Sarah Harris*

In Memory Of Attorney James

R. Murphy

-Kathleen Murphy

In Memory Of Doreen Pittinger

-Lynn Dolan and Kevin Wojcik

In Memory of Ferd Sauer, MD

-Scott & Kathleen Johnson

In Memory Of Mary Suess

-Sarah Harris*

In Memory Of Michael Valentine

-Sarah Harris*

In KindAtty. Peter Arakas & Karen

Kellerman

Elizabeth Aurand

Vanessa Barneschi

Justine Beach

Fred & Marsha Boratynski

Richard Byer*

Eyda Calderon-Mantovani

Mary Kate Carroll*

Elizabeth Chasse*

Derek & DeAnna Dibble

Patricia A. Donaroma

Stephanie Garozzo*

Janice Grega-Mals*

Happy Red Hatters

Sarah Harris*

IHeart Media

Alexandria Ingleton

Ronald & Aurora Jakubowski

Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. 2018 Donors List

Page 5: NEWS FROM… Pathways/Senderos Center · NEWS FROM Pathways/Senderos Center is a regular publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (GNBTPP), 43 Viets Street,

We Wish to Thank Our Donors!We hope that you have taken the time to browse the donors list to see who are many wonderful supporters are; you will find your friends,

neighbors, and business associates. Thanks to our donors’ commitment, vision, and belief in us, we have successfully served underprivileged youth and parents in New Britain for over 26 years. Please realize that your contributions positively affect local youth, your community, and ultimately, the future. Remember that our program participants are now college graduates, property owners, taxpayers, and leaders. The essential support system that our youngsters receive puts them on the path to success now and in the future.

The donations you make this year are totaled when identifying your Gift Club placement in the 2019 Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. Pathways/Senderos roster. Please consider joining one of our Gift Clubs in 2019…Invest in the future of our youth and our community!

Laser Quest

Katarzyna Maluszewski

Roberto Mercado*

Colleen Moffet-Mals

New Britain Bees

New Britain Musuem of Art

Jane Palley* & Lawrence Young

Rick* & Janina Pentore

Danerick Peralta

Diego Peralta

Ruth Ramirez & Jose Santos

Kayla Reasco*

Gerard & Diane Roy

Molly Satalino*

Robert Schaller

Dr. Shiel

Bill & Sue Sonstrom

Dr. David & Elise Sowa

Tim St. Andrew*

William & Leonora Thramann

Tomasso Brothers, Inc.

Paula Trigilio*

20th Annual Walk-A-ThonPresenting Sponsor

American Savings Foundation

Platinum SponsorsNew Britain OB/GYN Group, P.C.

The Petit Family Foundation Inc.

Bill & Sue Sonstrom

Starling Physicians PC

Gold SponsorsAetna Foundation, Inc.

Silver SponsorsCommunity Foundation of

Greater New Britain

Derek & DeAnna Dibble

Farmington Bank

Robert Farr & Diana MacPherson

MicroCare Corporation

Lindquist Insurance Associates

New Britain Pediatric Group, P.C.

OM Dental LLC.

Sarah Harris*

Bronze SponsorsAtty. Peter Arakas & Karen

Kellerman

Abby Chamberlain

Elizabeth Chasse*

Deming Financial Services Inc.

Terrence & Kathy Griswold

Kaestle Boos Associates

John King

Ian & Sylvia Lucas

Consolidated School District of

New Britain

Louis P. Slade Middle School Staff

Jane Palley* & Lawrence Young

In Memory of Dr. Ferd Sauer

-Kathleen Sauer

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Ruta

Kenneth & Marie Elterich

Peter Tercyak

The Jakubowski Family

Raffle Prize DonationMary Kate Carroll*

Connecticut Science Center

Sarah Harris*

Philip Kellerman

Kidcity Children’s Museum

Mystic Aquarium Foundation

Mystic Seaport

New Britain Museum of American Art

Rogers Orchards, Inc.

Salute Restuarant

Paula Trigilio*

Wood N Tap

GrantsAmerican Savings Foundation

City of New Britain, Community

Development Block Grant

Community Chest of New Britain and

Berlin, Inc.

Community Foundation of Greater New

Britain

Connecticut Department of Social Services

Connecticut Judicial Branch

Howey Family Fund of the Community

Foundation of Greater New Britain

Liberty Bank Foundation

New Britain Garden Club

People’s United Community Foundation

The Petit Family Foundation Inc.

United Way

Employer Matching GiftsAetna Foundation, Inc.

Chubb & Son Inc., a Div. of Federal Ins. Co.

Give with Liberty/Liberty Mutual Insurance

United Health Group

VolunteersMarsha Boratynski

Tony Carrero

Jeffrey Chavez

Alexandria Ingleton

Dorri Kost

Jackie Lillo*

Sandra Soto

Timothy St. Andrew*

Paula Trigilio*

Uconn Medical School, Urban Service

Track

This list reflects 2018 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.

IT COSTS: • $50 per week to provide nutritious snacks for our youngsters and groceries for their families;

• $150 per week to provide job training and stipends for youths who deposit their earnings into savings accounts

for their college education; and,

• $500 per day to provide high-risk youths with academic assistance, computer training, guidance, discipline, nurturing, encouragement, safety, and hope for the future.

IT COSTS: • $50 per week to provide nutritious snacks for our youngsters and groceries for their families;

• $150 per week to provide job training and stipends for youths who deposit their earnings into savings accounts

for their college education; and,

• $500 per day to provide high-risk youths with academic assistance, computer training, guidance, discipline, nurturing, encouragement, safety, and hope for the future.

This newsletter is printed in color due to the generosity of Barile Printers, who covered a substantial part of the color-printing costs.

Page 6: NEWS FROM… Pathways/Senderos Center · NEWS FROM Pathways/Senderos Center is a regular publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (GNBTPP), 43 Viets Street,

Page 6 News from Pathways/Senderos Center

The transition from middle school to high school is an important yet difficult time in a child’s life. We aim to ensure that all of our middle school students are prepared for that transition and have the support and guidance they need to be successful in high school. With our comprehensive approach, we prepare them academically as well as socially and emotionally for the changes they will be going through. Our program also has the advantage of providing services to students on a long-term basis, so we can adapt our service delivery to their needs.

The six middle school students entering high school this year have been with us for their entire middle school career. Laylani Bryant, Samarra Hayes, Ramani Mankins, and Isaiah Meletrich will be attending New Britain High School in the fall, while Kasianna and Kiatyanna Denmark will be attending Sports & Medical Science Academy in Hartford. All of these students have been consistently attending the Pathways/Senderos Center for three years, and they plan to stay until high school graduation, which would total seven years of receiving comprehensive services.

Our two soon-to-be high school graduates have been with us for that entire seven year span. Elijah Aponte and Nazir Vellon will be graduating from New Britain High School in June. Eli and Naz are the last students who started the program when the Center was on Arch Street. They joined at the end of fifth grade, and despite being active in sports at high school, they have remained committed to the program. Eli plans to attend Tunxis Community College in the fall, and Naz hopes to join the military after graduation. Both young men have grown tremendously in their time with us, and we are very proud of their accomplishments.

Transitioning Upwards!

Middle School Perfect Attendance:Jose Lopez

Anastasia Martinez

Alexis Ortiz

Anthony Soto

Desiree Villanueva

Middle School Honors:Laylani Bryant

Kasianna Denmark

Kiatyanna Denmark

Jester Garcia

Anastasia Martinez

Alexis Ortiz

High School Perfect Attendance:Adiana Disdiel

Brayan Ortiz

Nicole Villanueva

Syed Ali

High School Honors:Adiana Disdiel

Angelisse Acosta

Cindy Santiago

Darlene Gautier

Nicole Villanueva

Syed Ali

Student Spotlight - Spring 2019

Pathways and OIC Connect for Teen Outreach For several years, staff at Pathways has conducted Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program (TOP), a

teen pregnancy prevention model with a heavy focus on community service learning. In past years, Pathways staff members have run TOP clubs at the Center or at the high school. This year, Heather Mills and Geoff Elterich are running TOP at the Center and at Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of New Britain.

Pathways and OIC have a long, positive working relationship, so when this opportunity arrived, it was a natural collaboration. On Tuesdays and Thursdays since September, Heather and Geoff have talked with middle school and high school students at OIC’s after school program about various topics, from puberty and personal hygiene to healthy behaviors and relationships. In addition to these discussion topics, students have been involved in community service

learning. The middle school students started their community service project early and have almost completed it. They decided to participate in a group fundraising effort; after identifying several places that need help, they chose to collect donations for the Connecticut Humane Society. They looked up what is needed, then designed and constructed posters and a collection bin for the necessary items. The last step is to deliver the items to the Humane Society.

The students were very engaged in this project because it was something they chose and had control over. It was great to see their excitement at helping out! It is important that young people see a project through from start to finish; they need to see that their hard work pays off and that they are responsible for their own accomplishments. Students truly benefit from being involved in the entire process, and because of their efforts, some cats, dogs, and other animals

will benefit from their hard work as well!

OIC students working hard on their posters for the donation drive!

Some of the OIC middle school students who have participated in TOP.

Page 7: NEWS FROM… Pathways/Senderos Center · NEWS FROM Pathways/Senderos Center is a regular publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (GNBTPP), 43 Viets Street,

News from Pathways/Senderos Center Page 7

Our graduate Jeffrey Chavez, along with members of his fraternity, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. and a UConn Law student, visited the Center twice this winter to talk with our students about career expectations. Jeffrey graduated from Pathways/Senderos in 2011 and graduated from Central CT State University in 2017. He is now working for Northwestern Mutual as a financial advisor. We are very proud of all that he has accomplished and we are always thrilled to have him back at the Center. We always appreciate when our graduates come back to the Center, especially when they speak directly with our current students. His presence alone is an inspiration; our young boys and girls need to see models of success who came from their own neighborhoods and backgrounds. They see themselves in Jeffrey and his journey, and we couldn’t think of a better role model.

During their two visits, Jeffrey and Lamba Theta Phi talked for over an hour with our participants. Anyone who has worked with middle and high school students knows how hard it is to keep their attention for even a short period of time, yet our students remained engaged and focused. It felt like a discussion with family members and friends rather than a lecture, so our students became more invested in the conversation. The young men and women of Lambda discussed workplace etiquette and conflict resolution while talking about their own experiences. They encouraged our students to start considering career paths now so that they can get a head start on success. We believe it is never too early to start preparing for higher education and careers, so we appreciate the reinforcement from young people who have lived similar experiences as our students.

Interacting with positive adult role models is extremely important to the development of young people, and when those adults have similar life circumstances as our students, the impact is immeasurable. We are grateful that so many positive adults want to spend time with our students.

Thank you Jeffrey and Lamdba Theta Phi

A Graduate Gives BackBy Geoff Elterich

The group’s activities kept the students engaged.

Their presentation was interesting and informative.

Jeffrey leading the discussion.

Page 8: NEWS FROM… Pathways/Senderos Center · NEWS FROM Pathways/Senderos Center is a regular publication of Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc. (GNBTPP), 43 Viets Street,

Pathways/Senderos CenterGreater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc.43 Viets StreetNew Britain, CT 06053

Phone: 860-229-2776Email: [email protected]

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 151

Cheshire, CT 06410

Save the Date!21st Annual

Pathways Walk-a-ThonSeptember 29, 2019

Registration begins at 9:30amRaffle begins at 11:15am

Walnut Hill Park, New Britain, CT

A special event to benefit Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention,

Inc.’s Pathways/Senderos Center.

Please consider becoming a sponsor; we will promote you and/or your business on our t-shirt, website and social media pages.

We hope to see you there!For more information, call: 860-229-2776

Or email [email protected]

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!

Contact us today!Call (860) 229-2776

Email [email protected] for Nick

We offer our services for:

Inc.’s Pathways/Senderos Center.

Please consider becoming a sponsor; we will