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Leading the Way to Literacy: Chamberlain D’Amanda Lends Support to Help St. Joseph's Villa Kids Become Life-long Readers
OCTOBER 8, 2008—The law firm of ChamberlainD’Amanda took an active role in promoting literacy in the Rochester community by participating in a Literature Circle with students of the St. Joseph’s Villa Campus School in Greece on the morning of October 15th. The law firm also made a $1,500 contribution toward the development of a long-term reading incentive program to help Villa teens develop a passion for reading.
The literature circle event coincided with National Teen Read Week October 12-18.
“Reading has never been easy for most of the Villa students and it has definitely never been seen as something fun,” says Kathleen Leahy, Director of Education at the Villa. “Sadly, it’s just never been a priority in their lives. However we all know reading is one of the most important tools they’re going to need for future employment and success after they leave here. So we put a lot of energy toward this goal and are very grateful to have ChamberlainD’Amanda support this effort.”
ChamberlainD’Amanda Managing Partner Edward Radin said his firm was excited about the chance to take part in the Literature Circle with Villa students, as it provided a hands-on way for the firm to demonstrate its commitment to promoting literacy, especially among young people. In addition to participation in the Literature Circle on October 15, the firm donated $1,500 to the Villa to fund the purchase of other contemporary-themed books to create a reading incentive program, which enables students to “earn” books of their own to keep, based on their reading progress.
“We are proud to champion the importance of literacy in our community and are very happy to be involved in a positive effort to support and encourage Villa students, who may not have had the same advantages as other children,” says Radin. “We really enjoy interacting with the students and hope that our involvement shows them that the community supports and encourages them to keep growing toward their full potential.”
Villa English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Specialist Cherie Gerych says having the attorneys participate with the students is beneficial in many ways.
St. Joseph’s Villa cares for kids in crisis. The private, nonprofit agency works with more than 2,000 kids a year through a network of community programs tailored to the needs of children and families. The Villa helps boys and girls, most between the ages of 10 and 17, overcome emotional and behavioral health challenges related to abuse and neglect, poverty, loss, violence, mental heath issues, substance abuse and other factors. A strength-based, family-centered approach is used to help kids overcome challenges, return successfully to their families and schools and build positive lives in the community. Villa programs include residential, community based and chemical dependency services.
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