By Angela O.
With February being a cold and gray month, Family Three struggled more than usual. The level of compassion and unity hit a new “bottom” and there needed to be a solution. Staff members in the family put their heads together and got some ideas of how they could remedy what they realized was, partially at least “cabin fever.” The conclusion was a trip off campus. After a few weeks of planning, Family Three staff and students found themselves sitting on the bus early in the morning on a Sunday headed for Syracuse, New York. In Syracuse the students went to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, and to the Imax film, The Ring of Fire, before topping off the day with a delicious and filling meal at the Spaghetti Warehouse.
With a number of new and younger students, in addition to the five students who came from Family Eight in December, things can get hectic! “We’re all still adapting to each other. But we have strong program staff,” family leader Chris Stein commented.
Other ways that Family Three has been trying to bring unity into their everyday lives is by experimenting with prayer. Family leader Lindy McCarthy suggested each student get a roster of all Family Three students’ names, and say a short prayer for each name as they go down the roster. “I took the advice that Lindy gave us. Since I started praying for everyone in Family Three, I feel less resentful,” said Tony W., “I still get resentful sometimes, but it has been a lot better. I think if everyone did what Lindy suggested we would be more unified.”
To help senior members who become frustrated with newer students as Tony has, Family Three staff is planning a regular group meeting for senior members. “A senior member in Family Three is someone who is practicing the basic principles of honesty, prayer, and service,” Stein said.
Staff members in Family Three have also been pushing “middle-of-the-roaders,” students who have the potential to step up but aren’t sure if they want to, towards more responsibility. This month Gil M. received buddying and shadowing and has been helping out other students around the school.
On the last weekend in February, the Family Three students who tried out for spring sports, softball and golf, checked the sports board in the school to see who made the teams. Denise T., Kassia B., Angela O., Brenda M., Alena T. and Shelby R. made the girls’ softball team. Dan R., Matt S., John A. and Gil M. were greatly pleased to find out that they made the golf team.
