A Note from our Executive Director |
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Dear Friends,
The month of March has been fast moving. So many things have been occurring and, at times, it has been hard to keep up with everything. As always, we continue to pray for peace in our community and throughout the world. Watching the news, we are reminded that life is fragile and you never know how much the actions of others can positively or negatively impact your life. Sometimes it seems that we can become numb or perhaps insensitive to the constant barrage of negative news. In a sense, I think that people often don't know what to do, so they express their feelings in so many ways. At Project GRAD Akron, we recognize how important it is to have positive interactions with our students, families, and the community! In this edition of our e-newsletter, you will see how Powerful Interactions = Positive Results! Thank you Tiara and Brandon for sharing your stories!
Thankful - Supportive Parents and/or Guardians!
As previously shared with you in our earlier e-newsletters, I informed you that we have so much to be thankful for at Project GRAD Akron that I wanted to share it with you on a regular basis. The "Thankful" portions of my columns have not been presented in any particular order, but are a constant reminder for me to reflect upon what keeps us grounded and moving forward. Today, I am thankful to and for Supportive Parents!
People who know me, know that I always talk about my parents and how supportive they have been to me throughout my life. I have been so blessed by their love, support, and encouragement. Growing up, like some young people, I probably took it for granted all of their sacrifices and assumed everyone experienced the same love and support that we received. In my previous professional life, for many years I served as a Judicial Magistrate at the Summit County Juvenile Court. For most of my tenure, I primarily handled cases of children who were abused, neglected, and/or dependent. Early in my role, I remember writing my parents a long letter sharing with them about my experiences and letting them know how grateful that I was for them.
This week, as I watched the historic confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for her to become the 116th Justice on the United States Supreme Court, I kept thinking about the significant role her parents played in her life. Of course, I started thinking about my parents, and then I started thinking about all parents. So often, people think that the "big" things make the difference. But really, it is all of the "small" things that make the difference. Judge Brown Jackson shared about watching her father, who was a teacher who decided to go to law school, read his books at the kitchen table and how she sat there with her coloring books. She also shared about her mother, also a public school teacher, who for a period of time supported the family while her husband was in law school. A story was also shared how in 2016, her 11-year old daughter wrote a letter to then President Barack Obama recommending her mother to become a Supreme Court Justice. In her letter, Leila wrote that her mother is "determined, honest, and never breaks a promise to anyone, even if there are other things she'd rather do. She can demonstrate commitment, and is loyal and never brags." Throughout the hearing, as Judge Brown Jackson answered hours and hours of questions, I enjoyed listening to her answers and also watching her proud parents and family members in attendance.
Supportive parents don't always look the same or behave the same. Some people are able to do more and some are able to do what they can. The key is the support. We must all be careful not to judge, but to recognize that we must take all of the small victories to see the successes. At Project GRAD Akron, we have many opportunities for parents to be supportive and it is always great when we receive the support! Parents support by signing permission slips for their children to participate in programs (i.e., Bridge to Kindergarten, GRAD Mentors, and after-school or summer programs); providing financial information for the completion of the FAFSA application for college; bringing their children or making a way for their children to attend activities; responding to our calls, emails, or text messages; attending programs and activities (i.e., parent sessions, culminating events, opening ceremonies); volunteering; encouraging their young people; and of course, serving as role models or surrounding them with positive or encouraging people, just to name a few. Some things that I listed may not seem like a big deal, but imagine if we did not have it, it could be the determining factor if the child is able to participate or receive the service.
In the law, there is a Latin term, "in locus parentis." It is an adverb and also can be an adjective. The Oxford Language Dictionary defines it as "with reference to a teacher or other adult responsible for children in the place of a parent" or "acting or done in the place of a parent." As I reflect about the work that we do, I hope more of you will think of ways that you can be, in a sense, in locus parentis for some of the children who may have a need for some others to support them on their journeys to success! Think about some of the things the others may have poured into your life and how you might be able to support young people!
As always, feel free to contact Project GRAD Akron if you want to become more involved or support our work. We encourage you to stay connected by visiting our website or clicking on the links below! You can also reach me at 330-761-3056 or via email at jsilasbutler@projectgradakron.org. Again, thank you and please continue to take care and stay safe!
Sincerely,
Jacqueline "Jackie" A. Silas-Butler, Esq.
Executive Director
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A Moment with PGA Scholar, Brandon Foster! |
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Brandon Foster graduated from Buchtel High School in 2016. After high school, he attended The Ohio State University. He graduated in Fall 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics and plans to graduate in Spring 2023 with another degree in Computer and Information Science. Currently, he is focusing on finishing his second degree and plans to work for Bank of America as a Global Technology Analyst Immediately following graduation next year.
We asked Brandon, "How was Project GRAD Akron made an impact in your life?" He said, "PGA has provided me with endless opportunities and connections. Having a group of people to encourage, motivate, and inspire me has played a huge role in my success. Having people who are willing to regularly check in on me and ask how I am doing makes the program feel like a family. The constant motivation to be myself, strive for greatness, and be the best I can be pushes me to keep going no matter what obstacle may occur."
In his free time, Brandon enjoys traveling! He has been to 3 continents and 11 countries so far and will be traveling to Egypt later this year. Although he doesn't love having his photo taken, he has found that photography has been a fun hobby to pursue in college. He enjoys creating and capturing lifelong memories with family and friends all while creating new experiences for himself and the people around him.
Brandon has some advice for students who are in high school. He says, "Patience and self-discipline go a long way. Things don't always happen the way you may want them to, but understand that there is a lesson to be learned with everything you do, whether it be good or bad. Life will have its ups and downs but that's what makes you special. It's all going to be part of your success story."
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Q & A with Staff Member: Tiara Autry! |
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Q: What is your role at Project GRAD Akron?
A: My job is multifaceted. I am currently the lead College & Career Advisor for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students at Buchtel CLC. My main role, which I love, is helping students discover who they are and what they want to do in middle school, high school, and beyond. This is done through college and career assessments that I facilitate each week. The most important part of what I do is facilitating social emotional learning lessons. This is the most important because if you do not know how to recognize and control your emotional well-being then it will make it difficult for you to focus on your future. Another part of my job is serving as field instructor for social workers and psychology interns that come from different universities to learn about what we do here at Project GRAD Akron. I am a licensed social worker who loves what I do so being able to help others realize their passion and purpose, whether it’s in this field or not, has been a great pleasure.
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Q: What do you love about working at Project GRAD Akron?
A: As a College & Career Advisor, there are so many things that I love about working at Project GRAD Akron. A few things I love are the students that I engage with who keep me on toes, my team members who are supportive and push me outside my comfort zone, and the ability to work within my community.
Q: Tell us about the presentation you recently did for the Community Welfare Forum.
A: The presentation I did for the Community Welfare Forum was about the impact of trauma in our classrooms. I have been working in the classroom with different students for 4 years and I have seen how trauma has affected them academically, emotionally and socially. I wanted my presentation to reflect the fact that students show up for school for many reasons and that we as the adults should not be asking why they showed up but how they showed with all that they might have gone through the night before.
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Q. Why is it important to discuss the Impact of Trauma on Our Students?
A: It is important to discuss this matter to help ensure that students are getting their needs met and also to show that teachers need support in the classrooms to help deal with these non-academic concerns.
Q: What advice would you give to parents and students?
A: The best advice I can give to parents and students is to be open to explore different paths. Alot of times we gravitate to what we know because it’s comfortable, but there is so much out there that needs to be explored. Fear of the unknown stops a lot of people from seeking new experiences, so I want parents and students to face their fears and be open to being exposed to different walks of life. Exposure and experiences is the model for this year.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: In my free time I like to cook, hang out with family and friends, play games, I love anything that has to do with technology, and I love being outside when the weather is nice.
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Thank you, Summit County Clerk of Courts Sandra Kurt and staff members, for your generous support of Project GRAD Akron and the students we serve in the Akron Public Schools!
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The Summit County Clerk of Courts' annual Jeans Pass Program allows staff members the ability to dress down on Fridays by donating to one, two, or three of the highlighted local charities. Project GRAD Akron was one of this year's recipients!
Click here to read the entire press release.
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Pictured receiving the donations are: Martin Belsky, Esq. (PGA Board President), Sandra Kurt (Summit County Clerk of Courts), Jacqueline Silas-Butler, Esq, (PGA Executive Director), and Maura Scanlon Bozzelli, Esq. (PGA Board President-Elect).
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Women’s History Month is a dedicated month to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women to United States history. Check out some of the resources below:
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Gearing up for March GRADness! 🏀 |
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Project GRAD Akron's 8th Annual March GRADness, a spring fundraiser to benefit our organization’s programs, services, and scholarships, will be held on Monday, April 4, 2022. This "Happy Hour" type event features a great deal of fun, networking opportunities, delicious food stations, raffles, games with prizes, beverages, and an opportunity for you to support a great organization helping young people!
Thank you to our Ultimate Champion Sponsor, The University of Akron!
Thank you to our National Championship Sponsor, Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron, Ohio!
Date: Monday, April 4, 2022
Location: Greystone Hall, Akron, OH
Time: 4:00 - 7:30 PM
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Click on the social media links to connect with Project GRAD Akron! |
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