The Friendly Flyer

In this Issue

» Get to Know Our Friends
» Achiever's Corner
» Helping Our Community
» Community Calendar
» Mt. Washington Bank Partners with
   Friends-Boston

Friendly Flyer - Winter 2007

Happy New Year! As the season's festivities recede and as we enter the New Year, our thoughts naturally turn to the future. For some of us, this is an opportunity for reflection, and for some of us it means making New Year resolutions. As we reflect over the past year, we are pleased that Friends-Boston has continued to evolve as an organization by adding a new full-time Program Director, two Friends and four National Service staff positions. In addition, we have created new systems, evaluation processes, and most importantly provided enriching and meaningful mentoring experiences for new and existing children throughout the Greater Boston Community.

As we think about the future and our resolutions for 2007, Friends-Boston is committed to the limitless promise and ability of all children. We believe that all children should be given the opportunity to realize their unique potential and inherent worth. With your help, we will continue to provide the support, mentorship, and consistent encouragement to help children develop into well rounded individuals, leaders, and lifelong learners.

Friends-Boston is one part of a larger movement dedicated to the evolution of our society and achievement of a more equitable and just world. As you read through our first newsletter and browse our new and improved website I hope you are inspired by the stories of hope, dedication, and social justice. In the coming months, I hope we can continue to build upon our current momentum and strengthen our ability to make a positive impact in the lives of families throughout our community.

As always, we thank you whole heartedly for your support.

-Imari K. Paris-Jeffries

Get to Know Our Friends

Anthony Larone Samuels, Sr.

Anthony Larone Samuels, Sr. is serious about his name. His close friends may call him "Ant," or "Tony," or maybe just "Anthony," but he likes to introduce himself to new people using his full name. This name took on new significance for him in 2004, after the birth of his son, Anthony Larone Samuels, Jr.

"I want people to know that there is only one me," said Samuels. "I am proud of that name, and I want my son to be proud of it too."

As he passes on his name, he hopes to transmit some of his values, morals, and life approach to his son. As a Friend, Samuels also tries to instill a similar sense of self respect in his Achievers.

"I try to show each of them that there's only one you," said Samuels. "You should correct people if they mispronounce your name. You should be proud of your name, your religion, your work, proud all the way down to whoever you are."

For Samuels, that pride is a driving force behind a fierce work ethic. He has long been dedicated to molding the growth of young people. Through more than seven years of youth work, he has supervised an emergency shelter for the Department of Social Services, acted as a Community Tracker with juveniles on probation for Roxbury Youthworks, and mentored through the Friends-Boston program.

"I've always been proud of what I do for my work," said Samuels. "It's like I'm always studying tape and film, even on my off season, trying to be better and find new ways to work with youth."

His commitment to personal growth has been a valuable asset to Friends-Boston, where he started working as a Friend in 2004. During that inaugural year of the organization, Samuels, Friend Nikita Payne, and Executive Director Juliette Hochman were the only staff members. Since then, Friends-Boston has expanded to include ten full-time staff, including five Friends.

"It was just the three of us. We had to start it from scratch," said Samuels. "Everything was spontaneous; there was no set schedule."

During his first year, Samuels mentored half of the organization's 16 Achievers. Along with the other founding staff members, he has also helped shape the development of Friends-Boston. Samuels points to new guidelines, structured activities, and relationships that are making the organization more stable than it was at the beginning, but he also stresses the need for continuous evolution.

Earlier this year, Samuels initiated a relationship with Carlene Shavis, principal at the Joseph P. Tynan school, which eventually lead to a new partnership. Samuels hopes to focus more of his energy on relationship building between Friends-Boston and other schools and organizations.

"One of my goals is to be more vocal, more creative in terms of organizational development," said Samuels. "I want to network more; help us continue to grow. The more we have, the more our Achievers have."

While networking with principals or Family Friends, Samuels is always focused on his Achievers. He spends the bulk of his time with one or two Achievers, visiting them at school, taking them to the library to do homework, going on trips to the pool or the ice skating rink. Samuels sees these relationships as the core of his work with Friends-Boston.

"We play an important role in our Achievers lives," said Samuels. "I want them to know that they can call on me at any time, and I'll come without any strings attached. We can be that extra component for them besides their immediate family. Because friends are there for each other."

Achiever's Corner

Profile: Alonzo

Alonzo, a third grader at John Marshall Elementary, has been an Achiever with Friend Anthony Larone Samuels, Sr. since 2004.

Alonzo enjoys going to the Marshall, where math is his favorite subject.

"I like the double digits," said Alonzo. "And all of my brothers and sisters went to that school. My teacher taught my brother; that’s how I met her."

Alonzo loves being an Achiever, and especially enjoys group events when everyone involved in the program comes together to have a contest or game. Even when he doesn’t win, he enjoys having the opportunity to play.

"I know that I will have a chance to win next time" said Alonzo.

He spends time each week with Mr. Anthony. Alonzo's favorite activity is going to Mr. Anthony's house to spend time with his family.

"I play with the game cube and Mr. Anthony's kids," said Alonzo.

Alonzo also appreciates that his Friend takes him away from the violence that has taken over his community.

"He lets me be a child and run free and play," said Alonzo.

There are some things that he would change about his community if he could.

"I would like to add a big back yard for me and my siblings to play in," said Alonzo, "and I want the gun shots to stop up the street from my house."

One day, Alonzo hopes to become a chef.

Achiever Holiday Art

Helping Our Community

Apple Picking

By the end of the afternoon, the stack of apples behind the picnic tables at the Friends-Boston tent had grown well beyond expectations. Sheri Linzell, Caregiver and Activities Coordinator and organizer of this event, looked on as even more bags of apples were added to the pile.

"We ended up donating so many apples," said Linzell. "They were falling out of the car and rolling under the seats. It was overwhelming. And that's a good thing."

All those apples, carefully plucked from the orchards at CN Smith Farm in East Bridgewater by over 85 Achievers, Friends, Family Friends, and staff members, were given to the Pine Street Inn to serve in its homeless shelters. Participants spent the morning picking apples, then ate lunch while the judging for the biggest, reddest, and weirdest apples took place. For many, the event was a first.

"Many of our Achievers, and even some of our Friends, had never been apple picking before," said Linzell, "so it was a good way for them to share a new experience and to spend time with the Family Friends."

The event was also intended as an introduction to community service. Participants were each allowed to eat one apple while they were picking, and the remainder of their harvest was donated.

"It's important to instill in our Achievers, from a young age, the importance of serving their community," said Linzell. "Many of them currently receive benefits from various organizations. This is a way for them to know that they also have something to give back."

Achievers were given a packet of activities that encouraged them to think about community service. It also included information about the Pine Street Inn, which serves over 1600 meals each day in its Boston area shelters. The apples collected at this event may not have lasted more than a day at the Pine Street Inn, but it is hoped that the day's participants experience a more lasting effect.

"The week after the event, one of our Achievers was asked why she had gone apple picking," said Linzell. "She answered, 'to donate apples to a homeless shelter for people who don't have much to eat.' I feel like at least some of the Achievers understood why we picked apples. And why they didn't get to keep very many for themselves!"

This event is the first of a series of group community service activities that will be planned in the coming year. The series will be structured to expose Achievers to a wide range of service opportunities.

"It's not only to give back to the community, but also to have fun at the same time," said Linzell.

On the noisy bus ride back from the farm, Achievers could be seen smiling, singing, or napping. Idrese, a seven year old Achiever who earlier had been reluctant to give up his bag of apples, proudly held up his prize- winning "Biggest Apple." His Friend, Mr. Chad, nodded with approval.

"Great job," said Mr. Chad. "Great job."

Community Calendar

Each week, we scour the Boston area to find activities and events for our Achievers. Anyone can participate in these activities, and most of them are free or low cost!

» Click to access our calendars
» Sign up for our weekly Community Calendar Update

Mt. Washington Bank Partners with Friends-Boston

Through this new arrangement with Mt. Washington Bank, Friends-Boston supporters can receive quality banking services while also benefiting our Achievers.

Open a Convenient Checking Account and mention this promotion, and Mt. Washington Bank will provide you with a FREE GIFT and donate $10.00 to Friends of the Children - Boston! In addition, they will continue to donate $10 for every year your account remains open. Read on...

Copyright © Friends of the Children - Boston 2007