Winter, 2012 - Family Scholar House

emPower
vol. 11 issue 1
a faMily sCholar house MagaZine
changing lives, families & communities through education
presideNt’s perspective
“You may have a fresh start any
moment you choose, for this thing we
call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but
the staying down.”
—Mary Pickford
When I was in elementary school, all of the kids in our neighborhood played
kickball in my family’s backyard. We had trees for first, second and third bases
and home base was a worn spot right in front of the air conditioner. Because our
yard was filled with trees, shrubs and other unmovable objects, many plays were
interrupted by interference from the surroundings. When that happened the
rally cry was “do-over!” There are days that I would love to shout “Do-over!”
and begin again.
For many disadvantaged single-parent families, family scholar house is a
do-over. After trying to provide for their children without marketable skills or
careers, the reality of current job opportunities leads them to post-secondary
education; however, the responsibilities of work and parenting and the burdens
of life squeeze out everything but the basics. Poverty, homelessness and often
abuse at the hands of those who have promised to love them, continue to limit
their opportunities.
As we begin the new year, 57 families are settling in at our newest campus –
Stoddard Johnston Scholar House. Many have been waiting for more than 18
months for this opportunity. All are getting the do-over that they want and need
in order to pursue their educational goals and create a better life for themselves
and their children.
This is the season in which we make plans to lose weight, study harder, work
out more often, eat healthfully and generally do better in our activities of daily
living. We make new year’s resolutions and claim our own do-over’s. At their
best, our resolutions are intentional and important. Similarly, the fresh start
that each of our families is beginning is imbued with the power to change lives,
families and our community as a whole.
as a supporter of family scholar house, you are an integral part of each of
these fresh starts and a partner in every success that follows. Thank you for
recognizing the courage that it takes for our student parents to commit to our
program and embark on a new path. And, thank you for remembering our
families through your financial support, volunteer efforts and prayers for them
and their children.
Cathe Dykstra
President & CEO
Cover photo: Amanda Gootee and son, Kayden, stand in front
of their new home at Stoddard Johnston Scholar House.
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www.FamilyScholarHouse.org
Local vendors prepare their dishes for Sushi in the City.
ArouNd towN
februArY
MArch
April
save The daTe
graduaTion ParTy
MaY 23, 2012
Work The MeTal
Trunk shoW
fEBrUarY 11, 2012
sushi in The CiTy
MarCH 7, 2012
MoTher’s day
Join us in celebrating the
graduation of both our collegiate
and high school scholars. We are
excited for our graduates who are
embarking on the next stage of
their lives!
Come join us at Work the Metal for
their Spring Trunk Show. A variety
of spring accessories, including hats,
necklaces, and bracelets, will be on
display and available for purchase.
In addition, those who bring a
donation item for the Family Scholar
House will be entered into a raffle
for a $100 gift certificate to Work the
Metal! Please contact Erin McCoy
at (502) 813-3085 for a list of
donation items needed.
The fifth annual Sushi in the City
event will be held on Wednesday,
March 7th at 6:00 pm at the Henry
Clay. Local restaurants will cook
up signature sushi dishes as well as
other Asian inspired foods to tickle
the palate. With four successful
years, Sushi in the City has become
the hottest event during the cold
winter season when many are ready
to cure their cabin fever. The
activities for the evening include
sampling signature sushi and
desserts, musical entertainment
and a live MC, a silent auction,
and mingling with some of
Louisville’s local celebrities and
young professionals. The ticket
price for the event is $50. To
purchase tickets, please contact
Erin McCoy at (502) 813-3085.
Mother’s Day is fast approaching!
Be on the lookout for Mother’s Day
opportunities to encourage and support
our moms here at Family Scholar House
on our website, on Facebook, and in
the mail.
CoMing soon!
grand oPening of
sToddard JohnsTon
sCholar house
After we get our families settled into
their new homes, we would love to
invite you to the ribbon cutting and
tours of our newest campus. We look
forward to sharing this occasion with
you. Check our website or Facebook
pages for updated information.
Winter 2012
3
school lessoNs
sTarTing aneW
By: Erin McCoy
Lakita is grateful for the fresh start Family Scholar House
has given her.
We often hear from our Family Scholar House participants
how appreciative they are of the opportunity to study and get a
degree while juggling being a parent and sometimes working.
For many, Family Scholar House was the fresh start they were
looking for so they could improve their careers, their lives,
and, more importantly, their children’s lives. For Lakita
Young, FSH was just that: her fresh start.
Before being laid-off, Lakita worked as a medical assistant at
a doctor’s office for twelve years. Unemployed, she decided
to start fresh and go back to school. After escaping an abusive
relationship, she heard about Family Scholar House from one
of her classmates. She spent three months homeless, but within
a year of engaging in the program, Lakita was in housing at the
Louisville Scholar House campus.
This past December, Lakita received her Associate of Science
degree from JCC. She plans to continue her studies at
Spalding where she will go for her Bachelor of Science in
Nursing. When asked why she was pursuing a career in the
medical field, she replied with a story about a time she had to
go to the emergency room and she “realized how sacrificing
[people in the medical field] are.” She wants to be a part of that
and offer that same kindness and patience to others. Through
her studies, she has come to realize she loves the sciences, and
acknowledges that in regards to the future, “you never know
what the possibilities are.”
Lakita isn’t the only one in her family who has gained a fresh
start since becoming an FSH participant and moving into
housing here. Her son, Roderick, Jr., moved to Washington,
D.C. this past August to attend Howard University. Roderick,
Jr. graduated last June from Male High School and is also a
2010 graduate of Phillips Academy in Andover, MA where
he participated in the MS2 summer program for three years
(Minority Students Gifted in Math and Science). “I’m so
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www.FamilyScholarHouse.org
proud of him,” says Lakita as she lists off his accomplishments.
He plans to study engineering at Howard while also
participating in sports, work, and his pastime, writing
music. “He’s an amazing young man,” she says of
Roderick, Jr. “I thank God for him everyday.”
Lakita’s daughter is no less talented. “Adiah,” she tells me,
“means a gift from God.” Adiah is currently an eighth grader
at Noe Middle School in the Advanced Placement program. In
addition to her classes, she has spent her time running track
and cheerleading. Her plan is to attend Central High School
next year where she hopes to continue track and cheerleading.
However, her real reason for choosing Central is the Medical
Magnet Program that it offers which will get her on track to
enter the medical field: she wants to be a pediatrician.
Lakita spoke a little bit about her experience at Family Scholar
House. She has found security and stability for her life and
her children’s lives. After her troubled past, she says “the
atmosphere [and] the grounds have been part of the therapy...
to get past the anger [and] the pain.” She has lived at the
Louisville Scholar House campus since June 2010 and says,
“It’s peaceful. I feel safe.”
Lakita is excited about her future and that of her children, as
well. She knows they will grow up to do great things. After she
graduates from Spalding with her Bachelor’s degree, she will be
starting anew once again and would like to work in a hospital
as a first contact person for battered and abused women. She is
very grateful for the Family Scholar House program and all the
people who helped and counseled her when she first arrived.
“They’re all wonderful!” she says.
Lakita’s is just one of many inspirational stories here at Family
Scholar House. Each of our participants values the fresh start
they received. More importantly, they have learned that they
can start over again and that they have the power to achieve
their dreams.
Lakita is pictured here with her daughter, Adiah, and son, Roderick, Jr.
our sTories MaTTer
Point your web browser to www.fshstories.wordpress.com. There you’ll find
Our Stories Matter, the new weblog of Family Scholar House. Our Stories
Matter posts 2-4 times a month and tells the stories of the women, men and
children who are Family Scholar House. Each of these individuals has a story
to tell, and more often than not, it is a story of survival, of new beginnings,
and of great courage.
Their stories matter, as do all of ours, and it is the hope of FSH that this blog
will further our mission in the very old and rich tradition of storytelling.
Visit Our Stories Matter and subscribe (there is a button on the blog so that
you can do just that!) and tell all your friends to do the same!
Winter 2012
5
Downtown Scholar House girls enjoyed their overnight stay after Campus Campout.
Hilary Corna, left, spoke with FSH participants during her National Book Tour.
Neighborhood news
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
The Mayor’s Week of Service at
Family Scholar House was a success
this year! We had 53 volunteers (total
of 954 hours!) participate in a wide
variety of activities over the week,
including reading to children at
our Early Learning Center, washing
and rolling donated coins from
the fountains at The Summit, and
organizing donations.
Cathe Dykstra was invited to attend
the White House Business Council
Roundtable with Treasurer of the
United States, Rosie Rios. The
roundtable focused on issues
concerning businesses and nonprofits in the Louisville community
in order for Treasurer Rios to take
the concerns back to the White House
policy team.
Family Scholar House was awarded
the 2011 Service Provider of the Year
from the Coalition for the Homeless.
FSH was nominated for the award by
the Home of the Innocents. Pictured
below is Cathe Dykstra with Gordon
Brown, President & CEO of HOTI.
Cathe Dykstra enjoyed the
opportunity to be one of the judges
for the Business & Professional
Women of the River City’s 2011
Rising Flame Award. Here, Cathe
is pictured with the winner, Laura
Schiller, from Dare to Care and
Teresa Aldridge from UPS and the
Rising Flame Committee Chair.
This fall, Christ Church United
Methodist Church coordinated “Fall
into Reading,” a fall festival for our
residents. Children learned about and
ate nutritious snacks, played games and
listened to music, all while focusing on
reading. A blanket covered in books lay
amongst the games and children took
whichever books they wanted home
with them.
After adjusting to their new homes,
residents of Downtown Scholar House
came out for Campus Campout, an event
that focused on maintaining healthy and
active lifestyles as well as building community.
The evening was filled with food off the
grill, games and music. Following the
cookout, ten girls from the Downtown
campus took part in an overnight stay
which rewarded and emphasized the lessons
learned in the Dove Beauty Self-Esteem
Workshop in which they all participated.
sunday
Hilary Corna stopped by Family Scholar
House on her National Book Tour this fall
to tell the inspiring story from her book
“One White Face.” Hilary shared with our
participants the struggles she faced as she
pursued her dream to study and work in
Singapore. She graciously provided FSH
with an electronic copy of her book to be
shared with our participants.
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www.FamilyScholarHouse.org
Winter 2012
7
Annual luncheon
Never let your
dreams go
By: Erin McCoy
Attendees crowded into the Galt House Ballroom to hear featured
speaker, Ms. Lucille O’Neal.
Family Scholar House hosted its Fourteenth Annual Luncheon
on October 26th as it celebrated the hardworking families who
have changed their lives through education. With nearly 800
guests, this luncheon, chaired once again by Stephanie Gumer,
boasted its greatest attendance to date, evidence of the support
our Louisville community has for the work to which Family
Scholar House dedicates itself.
This year, event sponsors were invited to host an FSH
participant at their tables and hear directly from them the
impact that Family Scholar House has had on their lives. Our
participants relished the chance to share their story with
people that have been continually supporting them, whether
financially, through volunteering, or with their thoughts and
prayers. It also gave the members of these organizations the
opportunity to make a personal connection with our families
and hear firsthand about the fresh start that our families
received. The organizations enjoyed speaking with our
determined and dedicated student parents.
The attendees were delighted to welcome the keynote speaker,
Ms. Lucille O’Neal, Shaquille O’Neal’s mom, to the luncheon.
Ms. O’Neal was introduced by Elizabeth Scott, CSW, a graduate
of the Family Scholar House program. “She has a unique story
and has overcome some very trying times,” said Elizabeth of
Ms. O’Neal. However, Ms. O’Neal has a special connection
with many of our Family Scholar House participants: she was
a young single parent, surprised by an unplanned pregnancy.
Elizabeth spoke of the commonalities that the two mothers
shared, but revealed that “it wasn’t until [Ms. O’Neal] finally
returned to school that [she] found out who she really was and
was able to break free from the mental welfare that plagues so
many of us.”
Ms. O’Neal began by saying that she now was happy to be
in the “motherhood club.” However, she revealed that her
pregnancy was not welcomed in her household. “I didn’t want
to be a mother,” she shared, “but after a while I knew I had a
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responsibility to this young beautiful child.” She raised her
four children, but “felt inadequate because [she] only had
a high school diploma.” After thirty years of parenting and
tiring her children with her constant phrase “I want to go to
college,” she finally realized her dream and enrolled in classes.
Ms. O’Neal spoke to all the parents, saying, “Make a real true
investment into the lives of your children. You never know
where that investment is going to take you.” She invested in
her children, and in turn, she was fortunate to have her son,
Shaquille, pay for her college. In 2003, she graduated with
a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.
However, that was not enough for her. With her continual
thirst for knowledge, she went on to get a Masters in
Organizational Management.
Ms. O’Neal always wanted to be a motivational speaker. “I
found out that words are so very powerful that they can
make you or break you, lift you up or beat you down.” Her
determination to achieve success never wavered, and through
her dream she has come to inspire and encourage men and
women from all backgrounds.
In addition to motivating people across the country, she
also supports her son and other basketball players and the
communities they represent. She joined other NBA and
WNBA mothers in co-founding the Mothers of Professional
Basketball Players, an organization that supports and invests in
the communities in which their sons and daughters live, work,
and play.
Ms. O’Neal ended with emphatic advice for everyone as they
walked through life: “Keep your head up. Be courageous...
Have no fear. And remember that you should always ‘walk like
you have somewhere to go.’” We wish to thank Anthem Blue
Cross and Blue Shield for supporting Ms. O’Neal’s challenge
by providing a pedometer for every person in the room and for
all of our participants. Now we can not only walk like we have
somewhere to go but also count our steps toward our goals.
Brittney Smith (left) and Starr Judkins (right) are this year’s Eugenia Ford
Powers Education Award winners.
Real Differences
By: Gregg Cobb, Ed. D.
Being a part of Family Scholar House has given me a chance
to share in the community that we have created for our
families. Our families recognize that it is the support of their
community that makes the opportunities at Family Scholar
House possible and they appreciate the chance to not only say
thank you but to pay it forward by committing to monthly
community service and by being community for each other.
We feel fortunate to count each of you as members of our
Family Scholar House community. Through your gifts of time,
talent, treasure and trust you show your concern for our
families and your commitment to helping them achieve success
in education and life.
As this year’s Chair of Family Scholar House’s Annual Fund
Campaign, I am asking you to make a commitment to be a part
of Family Scholar House. Last year, our team managed to serve
1,635 families with over 2,500 children with only eight fulltime staff and with almost 1,000 volunteers. Cathe, the staff
and the Board have shown excellent stewardship of resources in
service to student parents and our community as a whole. With
the number of families needing assistance continuing to rise,
we need your help.
A monthly donation of $197.61 makes it possible for Family
Scholar House to help a residential family achieve their
educational and personal goals. A donation of only $28.32
per month helps a family in the pre-residential program
receive services that prepare them to be ready when an opening
comes that allows them to move into one of our campuses.
Your donation provides an amazing return on investment for
our community. Our student parents have earned 58 college
degrees and we are on track for 18-20 more in May. Please
consider beginning this new year with a resolution to be a
partner in our success stories by becoming a Champion for
Families through a commitment to support a residential family
at $197.61, a Friend for Families through a commitment to
support a pre-residential family at $28.32 per month or both.
We have added the convenient opportunity of monthly payment
by credit card.
We know education offers life-changing opportunities and,
for disadvantaged families, we know that Family Scholar House
makes these opportunities possible. With all the things that
seem to be going awry in America and the World, it is nice to
know that in our little corner we are making “real” differences
and with your help, we can set the “example.”
Winter 2012
9
our thanks
general
Teresa Aldridge
Ann T. Allen
Dr. Tim Allen &
Kathy A. Nieder
Kelly Allen
Susan Allen
Robert & Deborah Amchin
Anonymous
Claire Arnold
Audubon Chapter AARP 3863
Constance Barker
Barnes & Noble
Alice Baron
Todd & Elizabeth Bartlett
Gladys & Lewis ‘Sonny’ Bass
Bayer Properties - The Summit
Colleen Beach
Patsy Beatty
Ann Beckemeyer
Angela Bisig
Bluegrass Custom Cabinets
Ed Brown
Foster Burba
Carrie Burton
Marie Carnes
Tonya Carter
Molly Casteel & Dave Bush
Patricia Cermack
Martha Charmoli
Jan Chipman
Church of the Epiphany
Anna Coats
Gregg T. & Betty Jean Cobb
Coca-Cola Enterprises
Bottling Companies
Combined Federal Campaign
Robert & Theresa Connolly
Dorothy Converse
Graham & Martha Neal Cooke
Paul & Liz Coomes
Pete Corrao
Dario & Madeline Covi
Stephanie Deeley
Shantha & Henry Diaz
Denise DiLoreto
Sr. Janice Downs, SCN
Pat Durham
Susan Dyer
Austin Echols
Joan Elder
Robert Esposito
eyedia
Christine Fallon-Siebert
Dana & Paul Gibson
Katherine Gilchrist
Mary Grantz
Gray’s College Bookstore, Inc.
Mary MossGreenebaum
Rita Greer
Nelsie Grissom
Lori Hagest
Maria G. Hampton
Danny & Paula Head
Kelly Henry
Michael & Tandeta Hettich
Brooke Hicks
Gant Hill
Melissa Hines
Sam E. &
Elizabeth D. Hoehner
Cathy Horina
Christine & Larry Horn
Steph & Andrew Horne
Joyce & Corky Horrell
Lisa Hughes
Humana, Inc.
Lillian Hunt
Judy Ann Jamison
Jefferson County
Teachers Association
Jefferson District Staff Council
Joan Johnson
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Family Scholar House receives funding
from Louisville Metro Government.
Betty & David Jones
Jan Karzen
Gloria Kemper-O’Neil
Linda Kiesel
Larry Klein
Shirley Knoop
Tiffany Knowsley
Kelly Kowalczyk
Kevin & Julie Kramer
Michael Kull
Steve & Susan Kute
Greg Lawson
Paul & Carol Levitch
Kevin & Catrina Link
Mag Pie Club
Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc.
Marian Development Group
Mary Morrow & Associates
Eddy & Sharon Mathews
Karen Mayer
McCoy Painting, Inc.
Sandra McGill
Kathryn Mershon
Rebecca Mertz
Dennis Miller
Vickie & David Miracle
Steve Mockus
Anne Monell
Marilyn & Jack Monohan
Allen & Vicki Moskowitz
Moss Hill
Lillian V. Mullins
Rachel Mulloy
Nanz & Kraft Florists, Inc.
Michael H. Nash
Neace Lukens
Michael Nepaul
New York Yankees
Foundation, Inc.
Anthony & Nancy Newberry
Karen Newman
Rose Niles
Carol Noffsinger
Michael Noland
Jamie Paradis
Stacey Parks
Judie Parks-Gornet
Margaret & Thomas Pentecost
Rick & Marti Pfeffer
PGA of America
Theresa Popp
Corden Porter
Anna Quigley
Gay Rapley-Adelstein
Rebekka Rechter
William T. Reigel, CFX
Madeline Reno
Jacquelyne Richardson
Susan & Richard Riedl
Judy & Brian Riendeau
Terry Rigdon
Richard & Janet Rink
Shirley Rivoli
Jennifer Roberts
Megan A. Robison
Richard D. & Sandra S. Russell
Teresa Rutledge
Jonathan Saalfeld
Elaine Salvo
Jennifer & David Schaaf
Suzanne Schaefer
Arlene & Ray Schlader
Charles Schram
Tamar Schwartz
Michael Sebourn
Barbara Sexton Smith
Paula Sherlock
Beverly Shircliff
Laura Lois Short
Dana & Brian Shumate
Kittie Smith
Margo Smith
Snowy Owl Foundation, Inc.
www.FamilyScholarHouse.org
Lou Spencer
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Kay Stewart
Kathy Stich
Ashley Stroud
Cheryl & Paul Suhr
David Tappendorf
The mGive Foundation
Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Tonya Trumbo-Brewer
Virginia Turner
Rosalind Underwood
Maureen Voss
Anne Vouga
Kerry Walsh Skelly
Sandra Watkins
Vicki & Malcolm Watts
Michelle Wells & Scott Neff
Tom Westland
Debbie Wexler
Suzanne Whaley
Lauren & Ryan Wigginton
Lisa Wilson
Thomas Wine
Joan Wood
Marie Woodall
Work the Metal
Yum! Brands Foundation, Inc.
Jim Zimmer
Dianna Zink
Cathy & Zach Zoeller
In honor of
Assumption High School
Faculty & Staff
Rebecca Henle
Bob O’Connor
Vickie & David Miracle
In memory of
Mr. & Mrs. V.V.Cooke, Sr.
V.V. Cooke Foundation
Janis Grace
Jenrose Miller
Dorothy Loeser
Jennifer Buhl
Dr. & Mrs. Edgar B. Morgan
Jenrose Miller
Mary Frances
McCreary O’Connor
Roger & Kathleen Batsel
Julie Gray
Eugenia Ford Powers
Eileen Breslin
Algene Sheeley
Cornelia Guthrie
Nancy Stuelke
Jenrose Miller
Walters, Walters,
Redmon & Associates Ameriprise Financial
Wendy’s Restaurants
Willis Klein
Commercial Sales
Winterwood
Yum! Brands, Inc.
Goods & Services
Dana Allen
Carlyn & Bill Altman
Lisa Bajorinas
Christina Baldon
Melissa Barman
John Bennett
Dawn Biggs
Linda Elizabeth Beattie
Judy Bomar
James Bowman
Cesaley Britton
Portia Brown
Kathie Buchino
Tiffany Cantrell
Sakinah Card
Robin Corbett
Peg Darcy
Ruth Darcy
Luncheon
Honey Dozier
Sponsors
Emily Durrett & Len Gross
DigitalVille
Dress for Success - Louisville Sue Evans
Family of Eugenia Ford Powers Romel E. Castro Falconi
First Unitarian Church Champions for
Fifth Third Bank
Sr. High Youth Group
Families
Friends of Mary
G.L.O.W.
Ralph & Tammy de Chabert
GE Appliances & Lighting
Kristi Gray
Lucille O’Neal
Gil Stein &
Tonya Groves
Associates Architects
C.W. Guthrie
Friends for
Girdler Design Associates
Cornelia Guthrie
Heuser Clinic
Families
Eva Rose Gutman
Highland Mothers Club
Abigail Academy
Matthew Hallingstad
Holy Trinity Parish
BJB Architectural Metal
Hand in Hand Ministries
Humana
Services, Inc.
Lisa Hughes
Indatus
Georgette & Mike Brackett
Mona & Tom Jackson
Jefferson County
Diane Calhoun-French
Tiffani Johnson
Ann Deibert & Martha Kenney Public Schools
Judge Annette & Scott Karem Nina Jonas
Cathe & Dan Dykstra
Karen Kartholl
Justice Lisabeth
Christopher & Gila Jones
Angeliki Kourelis
Hughes Abramson
Jennifer Leibson
Lamplighters Bible Study
Kentucky Housing
Julie Mattingly
Judith & Tom Lawson
Corporation
Brooke Pardue
Julea Lawson
Kindred Healthcare
Todd Schmiedeler
Amanda Lorenz
LEEP
Dana & Brian Shumate
Susan Lowe
LG&E - KU
Denise & Jeffrey Spalding
Kayla Meyers
Marian Development Group
Kimberly Stephenson
Janet Miller
Mary Elva Smith
Robbie & Amanda Tindall
Vickie & David Miracle
Masonomics
Terri Turner
Latoka Moody
Metropolitan Louisville
Natasha Murphy
Women’s Political Caucus
Building Fund
Lance Newman
Neace Lukens
Jozi Legner
New Albany Housing Authority Belita Noltemeyer
Douglas & Christina Rose
Sandra & Jay O’Brien
Norton Healthcare
Louisville & Jefferson
Sarah Peterson-Ayers
Ohio Capital Corporation
County Metropolitan
Betty Rainey
for Housing
Sewer District
Leigh Raque
PNC
Thelma Robinson
Republic Bank
Grants and
Brenda Sheeley
River
City
Development
Foundations
Donnie Shephard
Sentry
Steel
American Academy
St. Stephen Church
Sisters
of
Charity
of
Nazareth
of Pediatrics
Jessica & James Jr. Stivers
Sisters
of
Loretto
Genentech
Meghan Stivers
Spalding
University
Jefferson County
Karen Stonebraker
Tandem
Public
Relations
Public Schools
Nancy Tate
TARC
Louisville Metro Government
Nathan Thompson
Teen
Challenge/
UPS Foundation, Inc.
Glenna Whittaker
Priscilla’s
Place
Zonta Club of Louisville
Theresa Zawacki
The Galt House
Cathy & Zach Zoeller
Today’s Woman Magazine
Matching Gifts
Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Ameriprise Financial on behalf Kentucky, Inc.
of Tracy Redmon
Underwired Magazine
GE Foundation on behalf of
University of Louisville
Ruth Darcy
UPS Air District
Douglas Rose
volunteer spotlight
By: Erin McCoy
Louisville Bats’ Buddy Bat sits next
to reader Kelly Johnson at Buddy
Bat Book Club.
As an agency that focuses on education, Family Scholar
House always encourages reading among both our parents
and their children. We have book clubs twice a month, but
the highlight for our Family Scholar House children has
been the appearance of Buddy Bat, the loveable mascot of
the Louisville Bats, along with reader Kelly Johnson. Buddy
Bat and Kelly have come to FSH the last 4 months for the
Buddy Bat Book Club. Children crowd around Buddy in
the playroom, laying on bean bag chairs and sprawled on
the floor, while they listen to Kelly as she draws them into a
new book each visit. Each child is given a copy of the book
so she or he can follow along with Kelly as she reads. After
they finish reading, the children participate in a craft that
Kelly leads as Buddy interacts with the children. The man
behind the mask, Jeremy Scharfe, is a Special Education teacher
who has worked with at-risk kids for the last five years. He visits
schools, birthday parties, parades, and corporate outings as
Buddy Bat. When asked his favorite part of being Buddy Bat,
he unhesitatingly said, “The interaction with the kids. I know
that sounds cliché, but their reactions to Buddy Bat is by far my
favorite part, along with the wonderful things that Family Scholar
House does.” His Book Club sidekick, Kelly, says “helping instill
a love of reading with the children” is what keeps her coming
back each month. She began volunteering because, as a full time
mom who used to teach, she was “missing teaching and being
around other children.” If you would like to join our volunteer
team, please contact our Community Integration Coordinator,
Julie, at [email protected].
Craft corner
String-Covered Vase
Taken from: crafts.kaboose.com
A fun way to give a new, beautiful purpose to
an old container, this string-covered vase can
be given as a gift for any holiday.
What you’ll need:
Glass bottle, Rainbow colored string, White Craft
Glue, Strip of green felt (measured to go around
top of bottle), Toothpick, Scissors
How to make it:
Tips:
1. Be sure glass bottle is clean and dry. Apply white craft glue
all around the bottom part of the bottle, one inch high.
1. This project can be done all in one sitting or in several steps.
If your child needs a break, simply place the bottle somewhere
and pick it up again later.
2. S
tart wrapping string around the bottom of the bottle.
Continue wrapping, keeping the string close together,
gently pushing down with a toothpick if needed. Add
more glue and continue wrapping string until you reach
the top of the bottle.
2. L
ook for rainbow colored string at your local craft store.
String is sold in large spools.
3. S
ave glass bottles from condiments, sauces, or juice to use for
projects such as this.
3. C
ut a piece of felt wide enough to cover the lip of the
bottle and long enough to wrap around it once.
Glue in place. Allow everything to dry completely.
Winter 2012
11
Non-Profit Org.
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PAID
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Louisville, KY
403 Reg Smith Circle
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 584-8090 or (877) 677-9177
Board of direCTors
Chair
Tracy Redmon
viCe Chair
Dana Shumate
seCreTary
Jackie Richardson
Treasurer
Robbie Tindall
MeMBers-aT-large
Rick Barney
Karen Bolin
Rebecca Brown
Christopher A. Carmicle
Mac Deegan, J.D.
Jennifer Eberle
Colmon Elridge, III
Cynthia Fanning
Charles A. Freibert, Jr.
Carleen Haas, SPHR
Adam Hall
Lisa Hughes, J.D.
V. Faye Jones, M.D.
Judge Annette Karem, J.D.
Beverly Keepers, Ph.D.
Kelly Kowalczyk
Councilman Kevin Kramer
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Steve Mockus
Jenny L. Sawyer
David Schweitzer
Wendy Sirchio
Deryl L. Sweeney, II
Michelle Wells
Casey Wilson
Cathy Zoeller
sTaff
PresidenT & Ceo
Cathe Dykstra
PrograM direCTor
Kristie Adams, M.Ed.
direCTor of oPeraTions
Kyle Miller
ClienT serviCes CoordinaTor
Jocelyn Fetalver, MSSW
aCadeMiC serviCes
CoordinaTor
Selena Sanchez
inTeriM CaMPus CoordinaTor stoddard Johnston scholar House &
Pre-residential services Coordinator
Linsey Schafer, CSW
inTeriM CaMPus CoordinaTor Downtown scholar House
Harvetta Ray, MSSW
faMily advoCaTe
Evette Clemons
faMily advoCaTe - Carrollton
Debby White
CoMMuniTy inTegraTion
CoordinaTor
Julie Richardson Brown, M.Div.
Board of TrusTees
Sen. Julie Raque Adams
J. Barry Barker
Gregg T. Cobb, Ed.D.
Martha Neal Cooke
Maria G. Hampton
Rae Helton
Jennifer Leibson, J.D.
eMPoWer MagaZine design donaTed By PoWer CreaTive
MissioN stAteMeNt
To end the cycle of poverty
by giving single-parent families
the support they need to earn
a four-year college degree.
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