SEIZING SERVICE
THANKSGIVING SERVICE PROJECT BENEFITS AUTISM CHARLOTTE Latin students have been deeply engaged in various service opportunities in support of Autism Charlotte for six years. This partnership includes students volunteering at the Afterschool Enrichment Program at the Siskey YMCA’s Hemby Center, participating in the iCan Bike Camp, and providing technology support for the Autism Charlotte program staff. In addition, several Latin volunteers have assumed more substantial roles: Meg Bryant ’14 as an administrator, Morgan Carnes ’11 as a summer volunteer during college Isabel Owen, Laura Hunter, Headmaster Arch McIntosh, Addie Robards ’16, Abby Hinrichs ’16, with the iCan Bike Camp, Carter Sarah Nolin, Taylor Woollen ’16, Service Learning Coordinators Shirley Anderson Cook and Rives Wedding, and Lori Schleicher celebrate the Latin community’s generosity. Tate ’14 as an intern with Autism Charlotte’s University Program, and Autism Charlotte is the beneficiary of Charlotte Latin School’s Abby Hinrichs ’16, who is employed at the Inclusion Afterschool annual all-School service project. The local non-profit organization Program following her time as a volunteer. focuses on addressing the needs of families who have loved ones with autism. Autism Charlotte’s mission is three-fold: to create During the assembly, seniors Taylor Woollen, Addie Robards, and community-based programs that provide inclusion opportunities; Abby Hinrichs shared their personal experiences from working with to increase the knowledge and understanding of these children, their autistic children at the Hemby Center and welcomed Isabel Owen, needs and their families’ needs; and to provide financial assistance acting Executive Director of Autism Charlotte. As the mother of to families and organizations that support the development of these two autistic children, Owen shared that it takes two ingredients to children throughout their lives. The organization’s vision is to be make a difference: compassion and a desire to learn. “This room a community partner that enables Charlotte to become a model is filled with people with those two ingredients.” She stated that autism community – one that visibly embraces and integrates although autism presents many challenges for families, “there are many blessings involved with these challenges. One example is the individuals with autism into society. partnership between Autism Charlotte and Charlotte Latin.” The service project culminated during the School’s Thanksgiving Assembly on November 24. As he presented a check for $24,437 Owen thanked faculty member C.W. Stacks for his service to Autism Charlotte representatives, Headmaster Arch McIntosh commitment to Autism Charlotte and recognized the leadership of stated, “I am proud of the entire student body for stopping faculty members Shirley Cook and Rives Wedding, who co-chaired during their busy schedules to think of the needs of others in the service project. the community.” Members of the Charlotte Latin community Started 14 years ago, Latin’s annual Thanksgiving service project contributed to the success of this service project through their is a popular School tradition. The project, which incorporates participation in a variety of events, including a jump-a-thon, a service learning opportunities, alternates between a local and read-a-thon, the Community Fun Run & Walk in August, and an international social service organization and is supported by t-shirt and donut sales. Many additional opportunities throughout students, parents, faculty, and staff members. the semester helped Latin students learn about autism and the difficulties autistic children of all ages have with everyday activities.
Fall Semester 2015
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Charlotte LATIN
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