Laraway Photography Exhibit: Opening Reception today May 14th, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    Thirty-nine images, from youth and staff across Laraway's Programs, are featured in our first-ever, photography exhibit.  The event was conceived by Finding Our Voices, a group of teens in our therapeutic foster care program.
     "The Laraway Photographers have done an outstanding job," said Mickey Myers, Executive Director of the Bryant Gallery, and one the judges.  "It is difficult to realize this is the first time you have offered such a contest because of the quality of the entries and what appears to me to be the strength of the photographers' intentions.  Congratulations to all of them, and I hope this is just the first of many exhibits of their work."
     Staff, kids and community friends are invited to attend our Opening Reception on Wednesday, May 14th, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Laraway.  To visit the exhibit another time, please contact Katherine Stamper at 635-2805 x 106 or KatherineS@Laraway.org.

Kids and Staff create an artistically-inspired donation box for local food shelf

     It started with an idea.  The Johnson Food Shelf needed donations.  Sterling Market agreed to be a drop-off point for donations.  But, a collection box or bin was needed.  Swirling conversation and interactions inspired Laraway staff and kids to design, build and paint a beautiful donation bin depicting Vermont scenes.
     Cal Stanton built the sturdy wooden bin with kids in his Laraway workshop.  Staff members Kristen Murphy and Sue Lenel worked with kids to decorate with mountain and river landscapes.  Staff delivered the donation receptacle to Sterling Market and voila, donations are coming in!

Students participate in art exhibit at Vermont Studio Center

     Students from Laraway School are participating in the Art Shines Art Show at the Vermont Studio Center.  This annual event draws participants from schools across Lamoille County.
     The opening reception is Tuesday, May 6th, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Wolf Kahn Studio located at 80 Pearl Street in Johnson.  Other participating schools include Hyde Park Elementary, Waterville Elementary, Cambridge Elementary, Green Mountain Technical and Career Center, Lamoille Union Middle School, Lamoille Union High School, Eden Central School and Johnson Elementary.

Laraway Staffers Rich Farrell and Greg Stefanski to appear on WLVB Radio on Friday, May 2nd

     Rich Farrell, Assistant Director of Laraway's Substitute Care Program, and Greg Stefanski will appear as guests on Roland Lajoie's radio program on Friday, May 2nd.  May is designated as Family Support and Mental Health Awareness Month.  Farrell and Stefanski will speak to strategies for supporting families struggling with these issues.
     We invite you to tune in to 93.9 at 8:20 in the morning on Friday to give a listen!

 

Greg Stefanski to speak at Stowe Rotary on April 17th

Greg Stefanski is the Executive Director of Laraway Youth & Family Services.  He is a leader in developing sustainable programs, financial management and strategic planning for nonprofit organizations.  Greg’s commitment to enhancing services for at-risk children and youth is inspired by a deep personal commitment to social justice and building community.

            Since joining Laraway in 1999, Greg led the organization through an extensive strategic planning process, coordinated a $3 million project to build a new treatment facility, and developed and strengthened funding sources for programs at a fast-growing, dynamic organization.  Under Greg’s leadership, Laraway added an elementary division to its school; fostered an acclaimed public-school-based, behavioral intervention program; and launched a successful $900,000 capital campaign.  Greg consistently encourages his staff to bring their best thinking, passion and creativity to the work they do on behalf of children and families.

Greg’s role as a community leader further enhances his work on behalf of Laraway Youth & Family Services.  He served on the Johnson School Board, Lamoille North Supervisory Union School Board, and was President of the Vermont Coalition of Residential Providers.  He coaches basketball, baseball and soccer and serves as emcee for Tuesday Night Live, Johnson’s annual summer music series.  Greg is also an active member of the United Church of Johnson.

Greg is a graduate of the Vermont Leadership Institute at the Snelling Center for Government.  He earned a Master’s of Education at Johnson State College and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Theological Languages at Concordia University.  He lives in Johnson with his wife Jennifer and three children, Declan, Cecilia and Ronan.

Join us May 1st for an Open House at Laraway's Hardwick Office

     Laraway is hosting an Open House at our Hardwick Backpack Office on Thursday, May 1, 2014 from 3:00-6:00 p.m.  Area educators, families we serve, local businesses and community members interested in our work with children and families are all welcome to attend. 
     The event will be hosted by Greg Stefanski, Executive Director and Sarah Squirrell, Backpack Director at 64 North Main Street in Hardwick.  Join us for light refreshments and fun activities.  Please RSVP by Thursday, April 25th to Adria at 802-585-9251 or AdriaD@Laraway.org.

It's Maple Syrup time at Laraway

     Tap the trees.  Boil the sap.  It's maple time at Laraway.  Maple season starts in Vermont in spring when days grow warmer while nights remain below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.  This temperature pattern triggers the flow of sap.  Laraway tapped several of its sugar maples, releasing a steady flow of sweet, sticky sap.
     Wandering downstairs to Laraway School, one encountered a large pot of sap starting to heat up on a boiling station outside one of our science classrooms.  Hours of boiling removes excess water content, thus resulting in sweet, concentrated syrup.  Care must be taken to maintain the boiling point while guarding against burning the sap. 
     Teaching kids about the maple syrup process is one way in which Laraway integrates hands on activities while exposing students to science and ecology.  What's the best part of this process?  Students get to enjoy the fruit of their labor, enjoying the sweet flavor of freshly boiled syrup!