Recent News |
Program Development Activities Alexander Hall - Building Bridges Grandma Pauline: A Legacy of Love
Alexander Hall - Building Bridges Teaching our youth the value of community participation is an important part of development and success. Holy Cross Children’s Services has been teaching this through the Ramp Project for more than two decades.
Most of these ramps have been built near our Holy Cross campuses and group homes, with one third of those in Lenawee County and the others spread around to Monroe County, Detroit, and Saginaw. Funding for the Ramp Project comes from various donors like Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, United Way, Easter Seals, the State of Michigan Department of Human Services, and the Michigan Knights of Columbus. The latest project needed only a small amount of funding as the team was able to “recycle” a ramp. This ramp was taken and assembled at the home of Virginia Grider, in Onsted. The youth that participated worked hard and did a great job, per Michael Murphy, project leader. It was not only a great experience for the youth, but the adult volunteers as well. They had the opportunity to teach what they know to youth with no experience. They left feeling like they had really taught the youth something as well as offering something valuable to Ms. Grider as well. Ms. Grider recently wrote to Gene Hausmann and the youth from Alexander Hall. “I want to ...thank you very much for the installation of the handicap ramp. I am now able to get out of the house much easier”. We are grateful that our coworkers and youth have the opportunity to extend support and encouragement to others.
Grandma Pauline: A Legacy of Love “Grandma” Pauline Christian passed away on July 13th, 2010 and left an empty rocking chair and hearts filled with love. She was a dedicated and caring volunteer for our boys at Sorin Hall for more than 10 years.
Pauline herself was a “Foster” child at the age of 12, having lost both her parents. She will be missed. On July 20th, 2010 a memorial service was held in her honor. Both co-workers and youth came together and did many things to honor her including decoration of “her” parking spot, folding 1000 paper origami cranes (which were donated to a family collecting 1 million in remembrance of their daughter who died of leukemia), and collecting funds to purchase a tree and bronze plaque dedicated in her memory. Students at Thomas More School decorated her rocking chair and during the memorial service they placed notes they had written about memories they have of Grandma Pauline. To all who knew her, she was a truly remarkable lady who has left our agency truly blessed to have been a part of her life. We hope that she is smiling down on us now. |
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Coda, a 14 month old yellow lab, has been coming to St. Vincent Home on a daily basis since she was 9 weeks old! Residents have been able to not only watch Coda develop and grow, but have developed healthy coping skills as a result of her presence as well. Residents often take her for walks, play with her in the courtyard, or simply sit and pet her to help calm themselves down. This has proved beneficial for both the residents and Coda. The residents view time with Coda as a reward for their appropriate behaviors, and, of course, Coda just thrives on the attention they give her. 
The Ramp Project began in 1984 and since then more than 340 ramps have been built all over Michigan for persons with disabilities. Gene Hausmann, Director of Values Education, started the project and continues the tradition to benefit not only those with disabilities but also the youth in our care. “These projects have been so rewarding for all of us. It has helped a lot of physically challenged children and adults and it has also helped so many of our Holy Cross youth . Our kids are so used to being “the problem” that sometimes they are shocked to be a part of “the solution.” By taking these youth into the community and giving them the opportunity to do some good, Holy Cross is able to let them experience pride and joy in doing something for others. According to a study out of the The Christian Haven in Indiana, service experiences are better than any other experience at instilling values in our youth.
Her time with HCCS began in 1997 as a volunteer Foster Grandparent. She would come into the school and help where she could, but her legacy was the calm stabilizing presence that she brought into the classroom. She is quoted as saying “all of these kids are good deep down inside...just made some bad choices...with love, support, and guidance, they can turn their lives around.” She truly believed this and spent many hours with “her boys” listening compassionately to their concerns. She came to us with a wealth of experience and wisdom through her lifetime of trials, tribulations, and successes.