If You Teach a Youth to Prune...Increasing Laraway's Harvest

     George Swanson, Laraway’s part-time Land Steward, and a gentleman farmer with his own acreage in the Northeast Kingdom, has been planning plantings for when the snow melts and the ground rejuvenates. He sketched out a plan for crop rotation, to make the most of our fertile, certified-organic soil along the Lamoille River. He is planning a new plot for tomatoes, strategically located to minimize blight. After consulting with Lisa Rock, our inspired and creative cook, George will plant more root crops and increase potato production.  We want to grow what Lisa and Dave can use in the kitchen---and lots of it! The root cellar in our farmhouse can store about 400 pounds of produce.  George is aiming to fill the space with healthy, nutritious veggies for our cafeteria.

     “The saying goes ‘any month with R in its spelling is a month for tree pruning.’.  Our first tree pruning student workshop starts February 22 (weather permitting) and will continue into March,” George said.  It looks like snowshoes will be needed!”

     Seed starts will take root in Laraway’s classrooms in March and April, presaging what we hope will be a plentiful growing season.  Feeding kids healthy food helps them grow…and learn.  Teaching kids to grow their own vegetables satisfies their appetites while equipping them with self-sustaining skills for adulthood.

     Stay tuned…and WATCH OUR GARDEN GROW!

Greg Stefanski talks Community on "Present Time" at 99.3 WBTV Radio

     Greg Stefanski, Laraway's Executive Director will speak about the concept of Community on "Present Time" at WBTV LP 99.3, live streamed at www.993wbtv.org on Friday, February 17, 2017 from 10:10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  In addition to his role at Laraway, Greg is a community activist and adjunct faculty member at Johnson State College and the Community College of Vermont.  He also designed a college-level course on the concept of Community.
     As Greg points out in his writing, "Community is dynamic...it can grow, it can be harmed.  We have to take care of it, especially in a world of competing influences, some of which might actually harm community." 
     So much of our work at Laraway is about helping the children, youth and families we serve find and sustain Community.  If this topic catches your fancy, we hope you'll give a listen!

You're Invited! Open House at Laraway on Thursday, February 23rd, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

     Have you ever wondered what it's really like to be a foster parent?  Did you know that Laraway's Clinical Program has expanded, offering services to local schools and community members?  Would you like to see our renovated youth recreational space, supported by a grant and designed with input from our clients?  If we've captured your curiosity, we encourage you to visit.

     Join us for Laraway's Winter Open House on Thursday, February 23rd from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at our Farmhouse at 275 Vermont Route 15W in Johnson.  Light refreshments will be served.  For more information and/or to RSVP, please contact Katherine Stamper at 802-635-2805 x 106 or Kstamper@Laraway.org.  If you are interested in visiting Laraway and can't attend the Open House, please contact Katherine for a private tour.

     Laraway Youth & Family Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to identifying and building on the strengths of children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges, through alternative education, therapeutic foster care and public school based behavioral intervention supports.  For more information, please visit www.Laraway.org.

     

Striving to Succeed

     Nate is a senior at a Vermont public high school, working a couple of jobs and applying to college.  He’s also a volunteer firefighter.  He likes history and his senior capstone project at school is about the history of the fire service.  Nate plans to study criminal justice with a minor in construction and/or business management.  He hopes to enroll in college as a Cadet seeking a commission to the United States Marine Corps.

     Nate has worked very hard to reach this place in life.  As he approaches high school graduation and the next chapter of his life, he graciously shared a little of his back story.

      “I was born in Zanesville, Ohio in 1998.  My mom was a Class A CDL driver for Coca Cola,” Nate said.  “I was constantly with her.  She was a cross-country driver.”

     Nate’s father was not in the picture.  He and his mom lived in Florida and then, when he was three, moved to his mother’s home state of Vermont.  There were difficulties.  Nate was placed in state custody at age six.  Thus began his odyssey of twenty-eight foster homes in addition to  residential programs and alternative schools.

     “I needed to learn to control my anger,” Nate said.  “It took a lot of time and effort.  I’ve learned to do something physical---go play basketball, do push-ups or work out---to take care of myself.  Sometimes I just need a little time by myself to listen to music.”

      Even with the ups and downs, Nate’s wonderfully friendly personality allowed him---as a student and youth in foster and micro residential care at Laraway---to build positive relationships with so many members of the staff.  He has assumed the microphone at Laraway community events and organized football clinics with Laraway’s younger kids and Greg Stefanski, our Executive Director.

     Nate is carrying a full course load in high school and has been residing with his present foster family for one and one-half years.  He works at McDonald's and is a parking lot attendant at Smugglers’ Notch Resort.

     “I’m either at school, Job #1, Job #2 or the fire department,” Nate said matter-of-factly.

      His road hasn’t been easy, but he’s determined to build on the successes that will allow him to graduate with a high school diploma in June.  His goals are clear:  To graduate from college, become a Marine, continue to serve as a firefighter and, finally, become a police office or open his own landscaping business.

      “Laraway is a supportive program,” Nate said.  “If the kids and families follow the program, it can really work in their favor.”

Save the Date: Winter Open House at Laraway

     

     Robert Frost wrote, "You can't get too much winter in the winter."  We, at Laraway, tend to agree.   Our staff gets kids outside enjoying the best of what a Vermont winter has to offer.  From skiing, to ice fishing, to snowboarding, to winter camping, Laraway encourages healthy physical activity.

     In the spirit of Vermont's coldest season, Laraway is hosting a Winter Open House at our Farmhouse at 275 VT Route 15W in Johnson on Thursday, February 23rd from 4:00-6:00 p.m.  Tour our recently renovated farmhouse.  Learn about expanded Clinical and Substitute Care services. Explore Foster Parenting and other opportunities at Laraway.  Light refreshments will be served.  For a complete listing of job and foster parenting opportunities, please visit www.Laraway.org/careers.html

     For more information or to RSVP, please contact Katherine Stamper at 802-635-2805 x 106 or Kstamper@Laraway.org.  We hope you can join us!

To Pitch a Tent

   

     "I went camping (with Laraway School) and I would have my tent up in minutes while the boys didn't know how to do theirs, so I helped them," Mara recalls.  She also remembers a hiking trip in which she and a female staff member got a little lost before reaching their destination....again, before her male classmates found their way with staff.  These are sweet and sometimes funny memories of her experiences as a Laraway student.

     "I was bullied at my old school," Mara said.  "Laraway was a new school with new people.  I was kind of excited when I found out I was going there."

     Mara adjusted with ease, building positive relationships with staff and fellow students.  She spent 9th, 10th and 11th grade at Laraway School.  She returned to public school for 12th grade, earning her high school diploma.

     "Laraway taught me a lot---like cooking with Tim, Patrick, Shellie and Erin.  We ran a bread company at the school called Yeast Coast," Mara said.  "Math was always kind of hard for me, but my teacher made it fun."

     Mara and her fiance live in central Vermont with their rescue puppy, Lily.  She owns her own car and has been employed as a dietary aide at a nursing home since 2013.  More recently, she assumed an additional part-time job as a support worker for an individual with autism.  She was considering becoming an LNA, but is now thinking about building a career within the field of autism.  She is happy and independent, grateful to have a supportive fiance.

     "He helps me feel better when I'm sad," Mara said.

     Asked if she could think of another funny story from her time at Laraway, Mara laughed and said, "Oh, there are too many to remember!  Shellie caught me on the phone with my boyfriend (now her fiance) while in the woods on a camping trip!  We just did a lot of fun stuff.  We camped at the Waterbury Reservoir and went to Hampton Beach---that was my first time at the ocean.  They even remembered my birthday, making it extra special."

     "Laraway is an excellent school," Mara said.  "They do a really good job, especially when they encourage your dreams, telling you to not give up on yourself."

Dave McAllister named Director of Substitute Care Program

 Dave McAllister has been hired as Director of Laraway Youth & Family Services’ Substitute Care Program which oversees therapeutic foster care and micro-residential programming.   He brings extensive experience, having served Laraway in numerous capacities since 1999.

McAllister joined Laraway at age nineteen as an overnight staff member in a residential program.  His roles expanded over time, encompassing crisis support, case management, staff supervision and new program development.  He serves as Treasurer of the Vermont Coalition of Residential Providers.  Active community involvement, coupled with graduate studies in Organizational Leadership, position this Lamoille County native well to lead the program.  

“I am really excited to serve kids and families requiring a high level of care,” McAllister said.  “I love having the opportunity to create and innovate while exploring new strategies to become even better at what we do.”

“Dave is a strong and compassionate leader,” said Greg Stefanski, Laraway’s Executive Director.  “Substitute Care is considered a leader in providing foster care as well are residential, crises and early intervention services and supports.  I look forward to Dave building on these successes and finding new ways to support our kids, their families and the staff and foster respite families who work with them.”

     Laraway Youth & Family Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to identifying and building on the strengths of children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges, through alternative education, therapeutic foster care and public school based behavioral intervention supports.  For more information, visit Laraway.org or email KatherineS@Laraway.org.