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Youth receive positive message
JD YOUTHWEEK
Charlie Brown, a former wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, stands between Youth Week participants Wendy Sanjuan (left) and Wendy McElroy. - photo by Photo by John Deike
While worries mount concerning the misdirection of youth in the area, Christ the Rock initiated Youth Week to lead youth toward a more positive path.
Darlene Jackson, an elder of Christ the Rock, stood at the forefront of the program after her 19-year-old son was mistakenly gunned down in the cross fire of a gun fight three months ago.
“When my son was killed, I was devastated, and I asked God what I could do to prevent another mother from bearing the loss of a child,” she said. “After much prayer, I helped create Youth Week, which will help refocus kids by getting them to stray from negative influential factors.”  
Youth week culminated May 21 at the Shuman Recreation Center with motivational speakers preaching about the good outcomes of being a responsible person.
The speakers included Hinesville Police Det. Doug Snider who warned the audience about the dangers of drugs and gang activity, and how making friends with the wrong people can harm one’s aptitudes.
Two of the featured speakers were ex-NFL players, Charlie Brown and Fred Stokes, who delivered advice they derived from the hindsight of positive and negative experiences.
Stokes explained the travails of drug use, and how it can hinder success, instead of help it.
“For the most part, (the youth) are here with an open attitude,” Deacon Michael Mata said. “They have a look of sincerity, and they are asking, ‘Where can you take me today?’ And, hopefully, we can lead them to a path of success.”
Jackson said under certain circumstances, children’s actions can hurt an area, but with a positive focus, they can benefit the community if they can facilitate a future built on higher fundamentals.
“I think my future can be a good one, and it scares me to think my actions, or the actions of my friends could really hurt other people. I’d rather help them,” said Charlie King, 12, who attended the event.
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BI hosts LCSS Gala
LibertyCountySchools

Bradwell Institute’s Friends Helping Friends will host the 3rdAnnual Liberty County School System Special Needs Gala Saturday at 7p.m.

The dance portion of the gala is free and open to the public.

FHF was started three years ago by BI special needs teacher Charlie Moon. FHF is comprised of a large group of general education students that connect special needs students with their general education peers. They have raised $20,000 in the last 30 months, for events like this, a new sensory room, music therapy equipment, and many other fun events. 

“FHF does so much for the special needs students. It really brings them out in their social skills. They become so much more comfortable around us all,” FHF Junior Danielle Hennessee said. 

FHF Junior Jada Naftzinger said it’s a two-way street. “It not only helps them, but us as well. It brings us out of our own shells and comfort zones.” 

Moon added, “For us, the Gala is not our calling card. I’ve told the students from day one, unless they truly know these special needs students, we won’t do the Gala at all. We’ll throw a big pizza party instead. The point is, we want the kids to really focus on the one-on-one, in-class work, hanging out in the halls, really talking to them. That’s the only way this program truly reaches its potential. Our motto is, “Changing lives, one friend at a time.”

During a private dinner which precedes the public dance, district office personnel, representatives from Congressman Buddy Carter’s office, district SPED staff, BI Football players and FHF members, parents and the honored guests – 50 special needs students from around the district will be in attendance.

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