For further information,
please contact:
The La Salle School
518
242-4731 ext. 271
Email: Marita Jadlos
|
Parents with children in La Salle's programs attended.
The focus was on
helping adults to learn about how
they talk to their children has a terrific
impact on open
communication, and the positive consequences that good
conversation can have on their youth.
 Troy Kennedy,
La Salle's supervisor
of direct care training, talked
about ways and strategies adults could use
to help
their children to help themselves. He emphasized that adults
need to listen
to their kids, understand where they are coming from, and talk
to them about
what is important to them.
Realizing that very often teenagers will not readily talk to their parents,
Kennedy's message was clear. "Parents need to learn how to actively
take the time to listen and communicate with their kids in a meaningful
way," he said. "Kids are smart and will latch onto this and be more apt
to talk and listen to their parents." More and similar presentations
are being planned. Watch our web site's upcoming events for parent
activities.
La Salle participates in Breast Cancer Month
ALBANY, NEW YORK – November 2,
2010 – In October, La Salle staff
and students
took part
in several activities
's designed to support Breast
Cancer Awareness Month.
 On October 17th, Team La Salle joined
over 13,000 walkers in the 15th
Annual
Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
in Albany, New York. More than a walk,
the American Cancer Society Making Strides
event described the progress being made
to save lives and create a world with less
breast cancer and more birthdays.This effort
raised over $950,000 in donations and
matching gifts. At La Salle, a total of $300
was raised from walk sponsorships, income from a staff bake sale, and the
sale of pink memory ribbons.
This is the second year La Salle has participated in this cause.
La Salle teacher wins national history award
ALBANY, NEW YORK – May 27,
2010 – La Salle School's Jerald
Hensler, a 10th grade global social studies teacher at the agency
has won the 2010 National History Day Patricia Behring Teacher of the
Year Award for New York State. This honor recognizes outstanding National
History Day (NHD) teachers at both the state and national level. Criteria include
classroom experience with NHD with preference given to teachers working
with an "at risk" population, a documented commitment to student-led
historical research, and evidence of creativity in the classroom that exceeds
expected participation in the NHD program.
 Hensler brought the National History Day program
to La Salle in 2007. "Many of our students have never
experienced any level of academic
success," noted
Hensler in his nomination letter."Once the students
make
the choice to participate in History Day, they are
quickly surprised by their
successes and their
confidence in their academic abilities increases
exponentially."
Patricia Ronayne, a State Education Department regional associate,
congratulated La Salle on bringing the past and present advances in
historical knowledge alive through innovative educational programming
that bolsters academic performance in research techniques, writing
skills, literacy, communication and college readiness.
Hensler is now in contention for the national award, which will be selected
from among the state awardees and announced during the 2010 NHD
competition in College Park, Maryland on Thursday, June 17.
Juenger named Lasallian Educator for 2010
ALBANY, NEW YORK – May 27,
2010 – La Salle School Science
Teacher Martha Juenger was named the agency's 2010 Lasallian Educator
of the Year at Founder's Day exercises earlier this month.
Juenger is a resident of Rensselaer and has taught science at La Salle
since 1985. The award is presented to an individual who works at La Salle
School and carries forward the mission of our Founder, Saint John
Baptist de La Salle to assist children and families in learning how they
might live a better life. This individual will have exemplified the spirituality
and philosophy of the founder.
In addition to this presentation, staff were recognized for their service and
four individuals received awards for excellence in their work. Readng
Teacher Brooke Degener was presented with the De La Salle Award for
demonstrating outstanding commitment to the education of children
at La Salle. Sean Wallace received the Amphian Award for his
outstanding commitment to providing for the essential needs of childen.
Christopher Fournier won the Barnabas Award for his outstanding
commitment to the treatment of children and families, and Margaret
Daigneault received the Brice Wilder Award for her overall effort to improve
the lives of children in the care of La Salle School.
Founder's Day is part of a week of events that concludes with day-long
activities for parents and a student concert.
Skinner receives Volunteer Service Award
Fifth annual volunteer ceremony
held in March 2010
ALBANY, NEW YORK – March 6,
2010 – Kenneth C. Skinner,
a longtime associate executive director of the Council on Family Child
Caring Agencies (COFCCA) received the 2010 Mary G. Breslin
Volunteer Service Award from La Salle School.
 Skinner closely matches the values that Mrs. Breslin
displayed throughout her life of volunteer service. Skinner
has volunteered in a number of schools and organizations
including the Brighter Choice Charter School for Boys, the
Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology
(TOAST), the North Albany Academy, and the NYS Chapter
of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Skinner is an active member of the NASW Steering
Committee.
He is also a member of the Hudson Mohawk Road Runner's Club, and
the Adirondack Association of USA Track and Field (USATF). Currently,
Skinner is serving on the board of directors of Living Resources and the
Trinity Perkins Center, both in Albany. He continues to reside in Albany
and continues to be actively engaged in supporting social work practice.
The sixth annual Volunteer Service Award is tentatively scheduled for
March 8, 2011.
NYS Attorney General's office presents
to parents on internet safety
ALBANY, NEW YORK – January 29,
2010 – A representative from the
New York State Attorney General's office visited La Salle School on January
21st to talk to parents about their children's safety while on the Internet.
The presentation was given by Casey Quinlan, a senior investigator with the
AG's office.
 Quinlan emphasized that in the anonymous world of
cyberspace, children need to be protected by informed
parents. Her remarks helped parents to understand what
kids are doing online and suggestions for how to protect
them from the dangers of online activity. Tips included
making Internet use a family activity, encouraging
youngsters' critical-thinking skills, and setting reasonable
rules.
Since 1999, Quinlan has been the AG's lead investigator on the NYS Internet
Crimes Against Children Task Force, a multi-agency approach to combatting
the online sexual exploitation of children. She regularly presents the Internet
safety message to parents, teachers and the general public.
Gang prevention specialist to be honored
ALBANY, NEW YORK – January 29,
2010 – Gang Prevention Specialist
Ron "Cook" Barrett will receive La Salle School's Lasallian Service Award.
 "Cook", as he is known to the youth of New York State,
is
currently the gang prevention specialist with the
Albany,
New York Police
Department, and has
implemented the
Capital Region Gang Prevention
Program and Gang Prevention Center. "Cook"
has
been involved with inner-city kids for over 23 years, and
directly involved
with gang activity since 1986.
Presently, he implements prevention, intevention, and
suppression program partnerships with law
enforcement, criminal justice agencies, schools, and
other youth efforts. The office also coordinates county and citywide anti-gang
efforts.
A dynamic speaker, "Cook" is a lecturer for the NYS Division of Criminal Justice
Services plus a host of law investigation units through New York State and
beyond. He has trained over 10,000 law enforcement officers and presented
to over 12,000 youth, provided numerous seminars nationally and
internationally, educating communities and agencies on identifying and
preventing gangs and their effects on the community.
The award will be presented on May 6th, 2010 at the 28th annual Lasallian
fundraising dinner being held at the Holiday Inn Albany on Wolf Road.
La Salle executive named to Alliance board
Executive Director Bill Wolff to serve for three-year term
ALBANY, NEW YORK – January 29,
2010 – The Alliance for Children and
Families named La Salle School Executive Director Bill Wolff to their board
of directors. The Alliance is an international membership association
representing more than 350 private, nonprofit child and family serving
organizations.
Wolff
has been La Salle's lead administrator since 1994, and on the agency's
staff since 1985. He is a member of a variety of community
organizations.
In addition, Wolff is
president of t
he New York State Coalition of 853 Schools,
a
member of the
board of directors of the New York State Council of Family
and Child Caring
Agencies (COFCCA) and the Alliance's national public policy
committee.
For further information about the Alliance for Children and Families, go to
www.alliance1.org.
COFCCA, DENA honor La Salle School staff
Randall and Cronin recognized nationwide and statewide
ALBANY, NEW YORK – January 4,
2010 – Two La Salle School staff
members have been honored with national and statewide awards.
Polly Randall, of Albany, was recognized with the 2009 Kenneth C. Skinner
Child Welfare Excellence Award from the Council of Family and Child Caring
Agencies (COFCCA) in its case worker category. Ms. Randall, who has been
on the La Salle staff for seven years, was nominated by La Salle for her
outstanding efforts in family and child welfare, and selected from some 45
non-profit human service providers that are COFCCA members. She will
receive the award early this year.
Irene Cronin, of Schenectady, was named a Distinguished Lasallian
Educator for her commitment to teaching needy students in the Lasallian
tradition of service. This prestigious national award is presented annually
by the Brothers of the Christian Schools District of Eastern North America
(DENA), an international religious community of men in the Roman
Catholic Church, that sponsor schools and other educational ministries
in more than 80 countries. Ms. Cronin, who has taught English Language
Arts at La Salle since 1983, received the award recently in Cincinnati.
"This recognition of Polly's and Irene's high standards of professionalism
and commitment to the mission of La Salle, not only reflects their outstanding
work but also that of the entire staff which is why we are so pleased and
proud," said Bill Wolff, executive director of La Salle School.
La Salle School is a human services agency founded in 1854 by the
Brothers of the Christian Schools. It offers residential treatment, day
services education, family preservation, an after-school center and related
programming to more than 230 adolescent boys and their families from
several counties across New York State. There are 200 on staff; its executive
director is Bill Wolff. It is located at 391 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203.
For more information, please visit www.lasalle-school.org.
Albany police officers, fire fighters and CDPHP
named '09 Lasallian Dinner
honorees
ALBANY, NEW YORK – May 8,
2009 – On May 7, 2009, CDPHP -
La Salle's 2009 Corporate Partner - and the Albany Police Officers and Fire
Fighters were honored at the 27th Annual Lasallian Dinner.
CDPHP - La Salle's 2009 Corporate Partner - received the event's
Benefactor Award, and Albany's finest were acknowledged with La Salle's
Service Award.The dinner featured a
$10,000 50/50 raffle, and silent and
live auctions, and was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located at the
corners of State and Lodge Streets in Albany, New York.
"We salute the hard working professionals of CDPHP and the Albany Police
and Fire Departments, who are important partners in our work," said La Salle
Executive Director Bill Wolff. Each of these organizations make tremendous
contributions to our efforts to sustain safe environments for the youth we
serve and our staff. We are pleased to acknowledge them for all they do for
our community."
Costello receives Volunteer Service Award
Fourth annual volunteer ceremony
held in March 2009
ALBANY, NEW YORK – March 13,
2009 – La Salle School held
their fourth annual Mary G. Breslin Volunteer Service Award ceremony on
Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
In his presentation of the award, La Salle Executive Director Bill Wolff
focused on BJ's enthusiasm for what life brings and his readiness
for it. He said "BJ's readiness to solve problems as they arise, his
readiness to enjoy and appreciate what life offers as it happens, even
those most difficult and unforeseen things, fuels his relationships with
others, it fuels his work, it fuels his faith, and it fuels those of us who know
him and work with him."
In addition to members of the Breslin and Costello families, some 90 guests
were on hand at La Salle's Hanner Chapel Cultural Center including past
recipients Bob Wolfgang, Rhea Clark, and Mary Beth O'Brien. Organizations
represented included Albany County's division of Children, Youth, and
Families, Albany County Probation, the New York State Education
Department, Hinman Straub, P.C., the New York State Opthalmological
Society, the Pine Hills Neighborhood Association, the Albany Police Athletic
League,
the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Albany,
Catholic Charities, St. Anne
Institute, Hope House,
St. Catherine's Center for Children and Families, the
United Way of New
York State, and The Next Step, an addiction recovery
home for women, and the Executive Service Corps of the Tri-Cities (ESCOT).
The 2010 Mary G. Breslin Volunteer Service Award ceremony is tentatively
scheduled for Monday, March 8th - Mrs. Breslin's 102nd birthday.
"Any group, be it La Salle, your business or your family, is like a garment
with each strand of fabric important to it's character. Each of you are
important to the essential spirit that marks the unique and special nature
of this place and this time." - BJ Costello - March 10, 2009
CDPHP named 2009 Corporate Partner of
La Salle School
ALBANY, NEW YORK – February 17,
2009 – La Salle School is
pleased to announce that Capital District Physicians' Health Plan, Inc.
(CDPHP) has been selected as the agency's 2009 Corporate Partner.
This honor coincides with the health plan's 25th anniversary.
"For a quarter of a century, CDPHP has demonstrated its commitment
to the communities it serves, supporting a host of programs and
organizations that touch and improve the lives of those in need," said
John D. Bennett, MD, CDPHP President and CEO. "CDPHP is especially
pleased this year to serve as the 2009 corporate partner for Albany's
La Salle School, which offers hope to students and families at risk and a
stable, supportive environment for personal growth."
To recognize CDPHP for its outstanding commitment to the community and
its generosity toward children and families, La Salle will present the
health care organization with the Lasallian Benefactor Award at their 27th
Annual Lasallian Dinner on Thursday evening, May 7, at the Crowne Plaza,
in Albany, NY. Joining CDPHP as honorees at the event will be the Albany
Police Officers and Fire Fighters, who will receive the Lasallian Service
Award. News Channel 13 - WNYT's anchor, Benita Zahn, will serve as
Toastmaster at the fundraising event. Proceeds are expected to exceed
$75,000 and will benefit the children and families served by La Salle
School.
"La Salle has come to rely on CDPHP not only to provide employee health
care programs of the highest quality, but to serve as a true collaborator
in sustaining a terrific quality of life throughout the Capital District," said
La Salle Executive Director Bill Wolff. "We are proud that they are our 2009
corporate partner."
For further information about this announcement, please contact Marita
Jadlos at 518-242-4731 x271 or e-mail jadlos@lasalle-school.org or go
to www.lasalle-school.org.
About CDPHP
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009 as a physician-founded and
guided health plan, CDPHP and its affiliates currently serve members in
29 counties throughout New York state and seven counties in Vermont.
The affiliated companies of CDPHP include a family of products: Capital
District Physicians' Health Plan, Inc. - HMO, Healthy New York, Medicare
Choices (HMO), Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Family Health Plus;
CDPHP Universal Benefits, Inc. - PPO, High Deductible PPO, EPO, and
Medicare Choices (PPO); and Capital District Physicians' Healthcare
Network, Inc. - self insured plans. Visit CDPHP at www.cdphp.com.
Making Christmas possible for
children and
families
ALBANY, NEW YORK – December 23,
2008 – Anyone visiting La Salle
during the week before Christmas would think they were in the NorthPole
and Santa's Workshop. This year, the agency continued their tradition
of preparing Christmas packages for the
families they serve, and
making
preparations for the students remaining at La Salle on Christmas
Day.
"While the efforts of everyone connected with us - vendors, board members,
and staff -
is remarkable all year through, the Christmas Spirit project takes
their support to another level, said Associate Executive Director Anne
Moscinski. "They recognize that families are especially challenged by the
recent economic difficulties, and worry about day-to-day decisions they
need to make."
Boxes were filled with enough ingredients for a plentiful Christmas
Day
breakfast and dinner for 99 families (470 individuals). Toys were donated by
the
morning
crew from 99.5 The
River and handmade blankets were
compliments
of
Project Linus.
The
local Department
of Labor donated heavy
duty winter gloves,
board
games,
and more.
In addition, each family received
a gift card from the
Hannaford
Supermarkets. Staff returning from delivering
these care packages
said there were some
Mom's who just broke down in
tears because they
didn't know how they would pull together the resources
to have a Christmas
for their children this year.
Students at La Salle on Christmas Day will wake up to overstuffed, 3-foot
stockings full of Christmas treats including games, brownies, pens, pencils,
writing paper, and much more. Staff came together to bake homemade
cookies and prepare trays mounded with delicious confections for
those children, the staff who will care for them, and visitors to the school
on Christmas Day.
"The other morning,
a student saw me filling boxes and asked what I was
doing," said Moscinski.
He said if only he had known about the project,
he would
have brought in some of his allowance to help out."
Moscinski
explained that this youngster lives
in a local group home, comes
to La Salle
for school
each day, and doesn't have a family himself.
Giving of oneself - the essence of Christmas Spirit at La Salle.
First Niagara awards mentoring grant to LSS
ALBANY, NEW YORK – November 24,
2008 – La Salle of statewide, and
14 regional, recipients of grants from First Niagara's annual Mentoring
Matters program.
At a recent event celebrating the 14 regional organization receiving grants,
Regional Vice President Tom Amell spoke about First Niagara's strong
commitment to the communities in which we live and work. He went on to
tell the audience how mentoring has made a different in the lives of children.
These include: Better school attendance, more opportunities for higher
education, and the prevention of substance abuse and other negative
behaviors.
The morning celebration held at Proctor's also featured the story of a Big
Brother
and his young mentee as well as musical performances from
students in the
Charlton Heights Elementary School in the Burnt Hill /
Ballston Spa School
District.
La Salle is planning to use their grant monies for increased mentoring
opportunities for students in programs such as independent living.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) introduced to La Salle staff
ALBANY, NEW YORK – October 21,
2008 – A recent staff in-service
at La Salle featured a PBIS presentation by Tom Kalke, project manager for
PBIS at Rochester's Hillside Family of Agencies.
During the session, he explained how the model originally developed for public schools, was being applied in alternative settings, and how La Salle could benefit from it's evidence-based instructional techniques and pro-active strategies. These methods help to create positive school environments and supports for appropriate student behavior. In addition, they assist in developing environments where relationships with children, families, and staff are collaborative, respectful, and strength-based.
During a tour of La Salle on the day before the in-service, Kalke observed several staff exhibiting calm and sensitivity when handling difficult situations. He suggested that incorporating PBIS into the School's already excellent practices would be a strong complement to the teaching, modeling, and positive social behavior reinforcement that PBIS espouses.
According to Kalke, more than 1,000 children and youth served in Hillside's residential campuses, campus schools, and day treatment programs are successfully participating in PBIS. A team of La Salle staff were impressed when they visited a large downstate agency and watched the program in action. In their pursuit of PBIS specialists, La Salle administrators discovered Kalke and invited him to the Albany facility to describe PBIS to the whole staff. His direct care experience helped him to interact very well with La Salle caregivers, and lent credibility to his success with PBIS.
Staff have already begun to use PBIS tactics, and La Salle is currently assessing agency-wide implementation.
Wolff honored by Hudson Valley Community College
ALBANY, NEW YORK – October 21,
2008 – La Salle School Executive Director Bill Wolff received the Humanitarian Service Award from Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) on Thursday, October 16th for exercising leadership through volunteer service, participation in public service and personal sacrifice to improve the lives of others. He was honored at the College's Distinguished Service Awards luncheon held at the Franklin Terrace in Troy.
Also recognized for their many contributions to the community were Paula Stopera, executive director of Capital Communications Federal Credit Union; Michael Whalen, practice administrator for Albany Advanced Imaging (HVCC Class of '75), Touhey Associates President Charles Touhey, and Albany Medical Center.
In his acceptance remarks, Wolff remembered his HVCC days. "Going to Community College really is about getting started at living your life, and it proved that at 17 it was okay if you really weren't sure what you wanted to do. Not because you weren't serious, or able to work hard or be a good citizen, but just because you were young."
He then reflected on his work in the field of child welfare urging guests to be aware of all that was being done by thousands in the community to assist needy children and families. "If humanitarian work is done face to face, where people give freely to others in need so their lives might be better, then there are thousands of true humanitarians working every day in (area residential and adoption) agencies," Wolff said. Our region needs to know this."
The awards event was co-sponsored by the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and the Alumni Association. Wolff is a graduate of HVCC's Class of 1972.
National conference to feature agency-academic partnership
ALBANY, NEW YORK – September 15,
2008 – The national conference
of the Alliance for Children and Families will feature a partnership betweenLa Salle School, St. Anne Institute, and the University at Albany's School of Criminal Justice. This workshop will tackle both the steps organizations should take and those that should be avoided while developing partnerships between academic researchers and service providers. Two problems will be addressed in detail. The first will be how to build practice based on evidence when tested service models are not available or when those that are available are not appropriate to a specific agency. The second problem will focus on how to develop the research capability to engage in this program development when an agency does not have the resources for an internal research unit or an external contract. Attendees will develop an implementation checklist tailored to their own contacts. La Salle Executive Director Bill Wolff, and David Duffee, professor emeritus from the University at Albany will present this workshop on October 30, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland.
LASALLe-news IS HERE!!!
ALBANY, NEW YORK – September 8,
2008 – LASALLe-news is a new feature of La Salle's website. This form of communication is different from our newsletter in that it will provide technical information about the most recent developments in the agency's various programs and services. The link is now active and currently features a narrative on differentiated instruction and Wilson reading - two new education innovations.
La Salle receives funding to further research
ALBANY, NEW YORK – August 14,
2008 – The Service Outcomes
Action Research (SOAR) project is proving to be a success for LaSalle, and their partner in this effort, St. Anne Institute. This is due to $130,000 in grant monies from the Office of Children and Family Service's Quality Enhancement Fund. Monies will support an expanded effort on the part of the University at Albany. This growth will allow faculty and students from the Schools of Social Welfare, and Education to join their colleagues in the School of Criminal Justice who have championed the project now in its eighth year.
"With SOAR we are developing our own evidence based practices," said Mark Silverbush, Assistant Executive Director for Continuous Quality Assurance. These practices are helping to develop valid and reliable measures for intervention and client improvement, train service staff in recording these steps as part of routine clinical practice, and engage service staff in continual improvement through analysis of agency data.
In addition to a growing number of faculty-authored publications related to research, the progress of this work will be a featured workshop selected by the Alliance of Children and Families for presentation at its national conference this fall in Baltimore, Maryland.
Plug Power names LSS 08-09 Flagship Charity
ALBANY, NEW YORK – August 1,
2008 – Plug Power, a leader in the adoption of fuel cell technology, selected La Salle as the agency they will devote their charitable energies toward during 2008-2009.
Beginning in July and continuing for the next 18 months, Plug's community service staff will conduct classroom demonstrations on new technology and environmentally friendly initiatives.
"Plug Power is an active partner with La Salle providing field improvements and resources for the children we serve," said Christian Brother and Assistant Executive Director James Martino. In July, 30 Plug Power workers were on La Salle's campus to refurbish the multi-use sports field, and install a basketball court providing a recreational space for students. "We're extremely pleased with the work the volunteers have done so far, and excited about the variety of projects they will participate in through the coming year," said Martino.
Plug Power's Flagship Charities have included Unity House in Troy, New York, the Regional Foodbank of Northeastern New York, and Parson's Child and Family Services located in Albany.
Students honored at Annual Youth Summit
ALBANY, NEW YORK – June 1,
2008 – Sponsored by the Department for Children, Youth and Families, the Annual Youth Summit provides an arena for Albany County adolescents, age 12 and up, to explore issues important to them through workshops and presentations. As part of the Summit, students were honored with Youth Recognition Awards for their positive achievements.
Criteria for these awards include exemplifying model behaviors, positive youth development, and progress in making strides for themselves and the community.
Honored this year were Joshua Osborne, named the most improved student, and Wesley Harrigan for his receipt of the George Roe Athletic Achievement award. Both are Family Preservation students.
LSS excels at National History competition
ALBANY, NEW YORK – May 5,
2008 – La Salle students participated in
National History Day, a year-long educational program sponsored in New
York State by the NYS Historical Association. On March 29, two La Salle
students joined 53 other middle and high
school students to compete in
the Capital Region History Day Contest at the State Museum. Judged by
professional historians and educators, students were encouraged to explore
local, state, nation, and world history. They selected historical topics
relating to the theme "Conflict and Compromise in History",
conducted extensive research, analyzed and interpreted their findings,
drew conclusions about the historical significance of their topics, and
created final projects that presented their work.
La Salle 9th Grade Student Olonjadae R. won a silver medal
for his Sr. Individual Exhibit entitled "Conflict from within: Malcolm
X vs. Martin Luther King," and 10th Grade Student Joshua Y. won a
gold medal for his project entitled "Conflict in the Middle East:
Palestine vs. Israel."
Both students presented their projects at the state competition
on May 2nd in Cooperstown, New York.
Cool Insuring named 2008 Corporate
Partner
ALBANY, NEW YORK – March 17,
2008 – La Salle is pleased to announce that
Cool Insuring Agency is the school's 2008 Corporate Partner. Cool offers
hundreds of clients a broad array of assisted
La Salle with health benefits for many years.
Cool Insuring shares La Salle's long-standing commitment to
assist families and children living in our community. "We feel close
to Cool Insuring because of their fine work on La Salle's behalf and the
fact that, like La Salle, they have served our community for 150 years,"
said La Salle Executive Director Bill Wolff. We are particularly proud
that they are partnering with us in 2008 to help expand our presence as
a provider of services for needy children and families."
In October, Cool presented La Salle with a check for $10,000
in celebration of the insurance group's anniversary year.
Lasallian Dinner honors UAlbany's
Dr. David Duffee and Cool Insuring Agency
26th Annual Lasallian Dinner held
May 1, 2008
ALBANY, NEW YORK – May
5, 2008 – Dr. David Duffee and Cool Insuring Agency were
recognized for their community service at the May 2008 Lasallian Dinner
held on May 1, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Albany on Wolf Road.
Nearly 300 were in attendance to help La Salle recognize David
Duffee, Ph.D and Cool Insuring for their outstanding service to the community,
most especially, to those in need. Dr. Duffee received the Lasallian Service
Award for his many community accomplishments including partnering with
La Salle to determine how children and families were impacted by La Salle's
programs and services after they left placement.
Cool Insuring received the Lasallian Benefactor Award in recognition
of the agency's long-time exemplary efforts to connect with their community
and support charitable work beyond their mission to provide excellent
benefit packages to their clients. La Salle is proud that Cool is continuing
their charitable work as the school's 2008 Corporate Partner supporting
all of the agency's community outreach through this year.
Corporate support and donations to the event are expected
to exceed $100,000.
Mary Beth O'Brien receives Volunteer Service
Award from La Salle School
Third annual volunteer ceremony
held March 2008
ALBANY, NEW YORK – March
17, 2008 – La Salle School held the third annual Mary G.
Breslin Volunteer Service Award ceremony on Monday, March 10, 2008 at
8:00 a.m. in the George E. Hanner Chapel Cultural Center on the La Salle
campus.
This year's award recipient - Mary Beth O'Brien - was honored
for her outstanding volunteerism in the Capital District and beyond. She
has held leadership positions and memberships in literally hundreds of
local, state and national organizations. These include the Ladies of Charity
of the United States of America, Catholic Charities of the Albany Diocese,
and the St. Peter's Hospital Foundation. She has also served as co-chair
for La Salle School's 150th Anniversary fundraiser, co-chair of Catholic
Central High School's capital campaign, and the advisory board of The
Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York, Inc.
Among the guests congratulating Mrs. O'Brien were Albany Bishop
Howard Hubbard, Albany Mayor Gerald Jennings, and members of the Breslin
and
O'Brien families.
Mary Beth was honored in May 2003 with the Lasallian Service
Award, and
joins Robert Wolfgang and Rhea Clark as winners of the Breslin
Volunteer
Service Award.
A hunt for bargains at La Salle
School
Catholic Women’s Service League
hosts its annual boutique
at home for youths
By Paul Grondahl – Staff Writer
Times Union – p1, Capital Region section
– December 24, 2007
ALBANY – The senior women
with silver hair and colorful holiday sweaters
stood expectantly behind
tables piled high with perfume, watches, toys and
hundreds of gift items.
A few dozen teens, wearing baggy jeans, team jerseys and baseball caps,
lined up at the opposite end of the room. They clutched hard-earned cash,
ready to rush to the tables with all the jittery anticipation of a pre-dawn
Black
Friday shopping spree.
This was the scene just before Christmas at the annual boys’ boutique
at
La Salle School.
The school serves 240 troubled adolescent and teen boys, 80 of whom live
at the facility because of a judge’s order due to juvenile delinquency,
or family
abuse and neglect issues.
The boutique is a holiday tradition that started in the 1970s and is still
run by
the Catholic Women’s Service League despite an aging and
dwindling
membership.
“We feel good to see them so excited by all the gifts,” said
Marcia Mahoney,
67, chairwoman of the boutique and a former president
of the league. She
joined 40 years ago after her mother brought her into
the group.
“It’s like being Santa Claus,” said Anne Garry Richmond,
69, a member for
30 years and a former president, whose mother also was
a member.
“The ladies bring that special care and warmth that makes La Salle
feel more
like a home than an institution,” said Brother James Martino,
assistant
executive director at the school.
The holiday boutique is one of several activities the women’s charitable
organization organizes at the school each year. They put on a Halloween
party,
birthday celebrations, a bingo night, trips to Great Escape and
a Yankees game.
The women’s group donated $9,500 this year from their fundraising
efforts to
support the school’s summer programs.
Their work remains strong, despite the fact that just 110 members remain
from a peak of more than 400 members in the 1950s. Their average age has
risen into the 60s.
Their biggest event of the year is the holiday boutique. The women solicit
donations of money and gifts. They shop for items months before the holidays.
They also receive toys from the Albany Police Athletic League.
The boys come in shifts to shop among the inventory of more than 1,000
gifts.
The kids purchase the presents for a nominal fee ranging from 10
cents to a
few dollars.
“I love this,” said Demetrius, 15, of Schenectady, who’d
been living at the
school for three weeks. He had saved $16 from doing
chores and for
good behavior.
He bought cologne for his dad, a fragrance collection for his mom, and
soap
and lotion for his stepmom. While volunteers took care of the free
wrapping,
he went back to the gift tables and selected a mimiature TV
and motorcycle
model for himself.
The boys’ last names are not used because of privacy concerns.
Most of the boys have a parent, guardian or relative with whom they will
spend
the holiday, although some must remain at school.
Jacob, 15, of Poughkeepsie, spent last Christmas at the school, but will
be
home this year. He was purchasing gifts with $20 he saved from cleaning
classrooms.
“I like that they sell things for a lot less than they cost because
we don’t have
much money,” he said. He bought his mom a necklace
and a bath and body
set, and his stepdad a polo shirt and watch.
Alex, 15, of Broadalbin, proudly clutched a wad of bills he earned by
winning
school chess tournaments.
“I like buying really good stuff for cheap,” he said, as he
purchased cologne
for his two brothers and tools for his dad. He’s
lived at the school for two
years and will go home for Christmas.
Alex’s dream gift? A key to the ’68 Firebird his brother is
restoring.
“I can’t drive it now anyway, but I just want a key to hold
onto until I can,”
he said.
La Salle alumnus and board member Bob Conway, 62, an RPI administrator
and former Troy mayor, stopped by to see the boutique, as he does most
years.
“The brothers created the foundation for my whole life and instilled
strong
values,” said Conway, who lived at the school from 1958 to
1963. He was
placed there and his siblings were sent with relatives and
at another institution
because his mother got sick and his father couldn’t
care for them himself.
Conway stopped to chat with Bill Wolff, the school’s executive director.
“I like coming here because this place is always home for me,”
Conway said.
“They’ve got a lot of things I didn’t expect,”
said Jawan, 15, of Middletown,
who has lived at the school for four months.
He saved $35 from chores and
earning good grades. He bought cologne for
his brother, lotion for his mom
and a watch for his girlfriend.
He asked for a new pair of Air Jordan sneakers for Christmas. “But
what I
really want is just being able to go home for Christmas,”
Jawan said.
La Salle School receives $10,000 donation from
Cool Insuring Agency
ALBANY, NY – October 29, 2007 – Today, the Cool Insuring Agency, Inc.,
presented a check for $10,000 to the La Salle School of Albany. This
donation will be used to help fund programs and activities for children and their
families.
"We feel close to Cool Insuring - not only because of their fine work on
La Salle's behalf but because La Salle School has also served this community
for 150 years," said Executive Director Bill Wolff. "Their generosity to La Salle
at this time speaks highly of our Agency's mission to children and families.
We proudly accept this wonderful gift and congratulate Cool on celebrating
150 years of assisting the community.”
$150,000 is being donated by Cool Insuring to charitable organizations in the
communities it serves throughout New York State’s Warren, Albany and Broome
counties in this anniversary year. La Salle School is one of 15 organizations to
receive a donation during 2007.
“Our agency has been involved in the local community since Charles W. Cool
founded our firm in 1857,” said Chris Hagen, of Cool Insuring Agency. “We are
pleased to show our financial support to worthwhile charitable organizations
in the communities that have helped our agency grow and prosper,” he added.
About Cool Insuring Agency, Inc.
Cool Insuring Agency’s rich history and dedication to its clients has helped
Cool grow into one of the largest and most innovative corporate and small
business insurance agencies in the industry. Cool’s 110 employees are
located in full-service insurance offices in Glens Falls, NY (where the firm was
founded in 1857), as well as Latham, NY (Albany County), and Vestal, NY
(Broome County). Cool offers a broad array of Property and Casualty products
to personal, commercial, institutional, and governmental clients throughout the
country, as well as throughout the world. For further information, visit
www.coolins.com.
Wolff named Lasallian Educator
of the Year
ALBANY, NEW YORK – October 17, 2007
– The Brothers of the Christian
Schools are proud to announce that
Bill Wolff, La Salle School executive
director, is the recipient of the
2007 Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award
representing the Brother’s
entire New York province.
Established in 1989, this annual award recognizes an educator in each
of the
Districts who exemplifies the ideals of Saint John Baptist de La
Salle, Patron
of Teachers. Representing the New York district, Wolff is
one of five honorees
in as many districts representing the U.S./Toronto
region. The New York district
includes schools located in New York State,
New Jersey, Michigan, and
various Canadian provinces.
Mr. Wolff will accept the honor on November 19th in St. Louis, Missouri
at the
Christian Brother’s annual Huether Conference. He was also
named
La Salle School’s Lasallian Educator of the Year at May 2007 Founder’s
Day
exercises.
For further information, please contact The La Salle School Foundation
518 242-4731 ext. 271, e-mail: Marita Jadlos
La Salle School Program Reaccredited
ALBANY, NEW YORK – October 11, 2007
– After intensive staff preparation
and a successful March 2007 site review by Council on Accreditation (COA)
peer
reviewers, the La Salle School program was reaccredited through June 2011.
Remaining an accredited agency demonstrates to stakeholders that La Salle
School implements best standards practices, conducts operations successfully,
and manages funds effectively.
After School Center to open
as a result of
Safe Grant Award to La Salle School
ALBANY, NEW YORK – October 11, 2007
– The $150,000 SAFE (Safe
Alternatives for Family Enrichment) grant awarded to La Salle School
by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has made possible
additional after-school programming at the agency. The purpose of the
new
After School Center (ASC) is to introduce at-risk youth to skills, activities
and
opportunities; tap into their strengths and foster appropriate peer and
adult
relationships; and help them become successful members of their
community. For youth ages 15 to 17, the ASC will include a job readiness
component through La Salle’s Evening Academy.
La Salle is one of 23 community agencies across New York State to receive
nearly $4.4 million in SAFE grants for preventive services for at-risk
families
who are not yet in the child welfare system. In an April 2007 press release
announcing the awards, OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrion, Esq.
stated that“our goal is for all New York State youth to reach their
full
potential and become healthy, productive adults. The SAFE initiative provides
an intervention strategy for families in disadvantaged communities, and
supports a solution to the problems associated with the lack of services
and options available to at-risk youth and their families.”
Funded programs will provide after school activities that include recreation,
tutoring, counseling and advocacy; mental health and substance abuse
treatment; and training in employment skills that will translate to the
current market.
Catholic Women's Service League
plans
for annual holiday open house
ALBANY, NEW YORK – October 11, 2007 – On December 1,
2007,
the Catholic Women’s Service League will hold their annual Christmas
|
Open House at 6:00 p.m. with a Mass immediately before in the Hanner Chapel
Cultural Center on the La Salle campus. The event has traditionally begun
the holiday season at La Salle School and is held in the gymnasium of
the
agency’s Arts, Technology and Physical Education building.
The Catholic Women’s Service League is a society of women originally
established in 1918. Its purpose has been and continues to be to support
the Bishop of Albany, and contribute to the spiritual, cultural, civic
and
charitable works in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.
First Niagara Bank, 2007 Corporate
Partner,
strengthens corporate relations
ALBANY, NEW YORK – October
17, 2007 – Everyone at La Salle
School would like to take this opportunity to thank 2007 Corporate Partner,
First Niagara Bank. Their generosity helped to promote and advance the
goals
of La Salle School while strengthening neighborhood ties. In conjunction
with
organizations like Empire Blue Cross, First Niagara has helped further
the
important work the agency does with youth and families. The significance
of their $12,500 Corporate Partner donation has impacted the programs
and services La Salle offers in a very positive way.
First Niagara attributes the bank’s success to a commitment to
community service. “It’s hard to think how we could have gone
with a better choice for our first Corporate Partner, said La Salle’s
Executive Director Bill Wolff. “John Koelmel, along with the entire
leadership team of First Niagara, through their enthusiasm and generosity,
personally demonstrate their commitment to all the communities they
serve.” |
