News from Germaine Lawrence - December 2008
Holidays at Germaine Lawrence
The
holidays can be a very stressful time for our girls. Expectations
abound for those special, magical experiences that we read
about or see on television; yet sometimes they don't materialize
in real life. At Germaine Lawrence, we start planning months
in advance to prepare our girls for the unique stresses that
the holidays can bring. We involve families as much as possible,
and for girls without families in their lives, we help identify
a special person with whom they can connect during the holidays.
Our clinicians take time during individual therapy sessions to talk with the girls about the holidays. They ask girls what the holidays mean to them. They work with the girls to identify positive experiences each of them have had. Our therapists help girls put together a holiday plan that builds on their strengths and identifies coping skills they can use to get through stressful times.
Girls tend to visit home more during the holidays. During family therapy, we talk about what the family is looking forward to, anticipate what parts of the holiday might be stressful, and talk about how to get through those times safely. We also identify families who may need extra help with transportation, a special meal or who might not otherwise be able to provide gifts for their other children. Through our family innovation fund, we provide gas cards, certificates to grocery stores and other necessities for families.
For girls without families who will be staying at Germaine Lawrence throughout the holidays, we make an extra effort to ensure that this time is special. Our neighboring communities are very generous in supporting our girls through our holiday gift drive. Stars in the Night - the local Barry Manilow fan club - raises money throughout the year to make a gift bag for each girl. Several local churches, including All Saints Episcopal Church, the Church of the Epiphany and the First Congregational Church of Winchester all help fulfill wish cards that each girl fills out. The Winchester Rotary makes gingerbread houses with girls in the Hirshberg program. One volunteer helped girls make scarves for their families. A local company, OTW Advertising, established a website with links to purchase gifts for the girls. Hundreds of individuals, book club members and friends donated special gifts to brighten the holidays for our girls.
We have several special holiday traditions at Germaine Lawrence. Our Festival of Lights celebration is a special evening when the entire campus comes together for song, poetry and a holiday dinner. Staff serve the girls dinner and each dorm puts on a special, seasonal performance. After the Festival of Lights celebration, girls return to their dorms, change into their pajamas and meet together to open their gifts. In addition, each program decorates its dorm and has special traditions, including:
- Asking girls about holiday traditions they have experienced or have wanted to experience, and trying to incorporate at least one from each girl.
- Painting snow flakes
- Reading The Night Before Christmas and drinking hot chocolate
- Having a special family dinner night. One dorm has a Grinch-themed family dinner, complete with Who pudding and Grinch beef. They watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas and have trivia games and prizes
- Having families come in and cook special dinners
- Baking and decorating cookies
- Going out to a restaurant and movie on Christmas day
Click for our holiday wish list or to make a contribution to support the girls through the holidays.