Germaine Lawrence Students Walk to Avoid Running Away
David Hirshberg Thanks
the Arlington Community
Germaine Lawrence Recovers from Group Home Fire
May 2006
On Friday, May 26, 2006, students at Germaine Lawrence will participate
in an organized walk from the Germaine Lawrence school down Massachusetts
Avenue and back as part of a curriculum entitled Walk, Don't Run
focused on the dangers of running away and being on the streets.
Each year, about one million teenagers leave home without permission.
There are many dangers involved in running away. A runaway is an easy
target for thieves, pimps, drug pushers and other violent criminals.
The problems at home are replaced by bigger and much more dangerous
problems on the street.
Through the Walk, Don't Run curriculum, teacher will help
students recognize the dangers of running away and being on the streets,
learn how to avoid exploitive situations, and identify healthy alternatives
to dealing with the stressors that might result in a desire to run away.
Olinka Briceno, Director of A Way Back, a project of Rosbury Youthworks
that helps young people who are at risk of being sexually exploited, will speak
to the students. Students are decorating hundreds of donated sneakers, which
will become part of an outdoor art exhibit to illustrate the lessons of the
Walk, Don't Run curriculum.
Students are seeking sponsors for their walk. All proceeds raised from the
walk will go to A Way Back.
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January 2006
Dear Community Members:
On behalf of the girls, staff, and Board of Directors at
Germaine Lawrence, I would like to thank you for bringing
the holiday spirit to our campus this year.
Based on your extremely generous response to our wish list,
we were able to provide our girls with wonderful gifts.
For our residents who are not able to celebrate the holidays
with their families or do not have a family with whom to
celebrate, these gifts are particularly special.
So, whether you give every year, or you are a new friend,
I thank you for brightening the season for the girls at
Germaine Lawrence. I wish you and your family a very happy
and healthy new year.
Sincerely,
David Hirshberg
Executive Director
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August 11, 2005
Dear Community Members:
Recently an electrical fire broke out in Germaine Lawrence's
off-campus group home building. The fire started in the
first floor bathroom ventilation system and spread through
the walls to the attic. Investigation has shown that no
foul play was involved. No one was injured, although the
building sustained substantial damage. We have been able
to relocate all the girls from the group home into other
buildings on campus.
Plans for building repairs are already underway, but we
anticipate it will be six to twelve months before the building
is habitable. In the meantime we will continue to accommodate
the group home girls on campus.
Many of you have called with generous offers of assistance.
We are conducting an inventory of what needs to be replaced,
and we will inform the community once we are clear about
our needs.
I greatly appreciate the ongoing support of the local community.
Sincerely,
David Hirshberg
Executive Director
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