Thursday, February 24, 2011
Photo of the Week: February 24, 2011
AmeriCorps Members MK Han and Vinny Franzese with Experience Corps Member Karen Joy at the Chelsea Boys & Girls Club
Friday, February 18, 2011
Photo of the Week: February 17, 2011
Experience Corps Members at Coffee Club in the South End
Friday, February 4, 2011
Jody Acford 1955-2011
On January 31, Experience Corps Member Joanne Acford, “Jody”, passed away at age 55. She served at the Emerson Elementary School in Roxbury, volunteering in Ms. Cartwright’s third grade classroom. Her funeral was attended by a huge crowd, standing room only, a wonderful tribute to a very accomplished person who gave of herself over and over again. The epitaph below, written by Ms. Cartwright and read at the funeral, speaks volumes as to the impact Jody made on the children and on Ms. Cartwright.
“My 3rd grade class and I only knew Jody from the beginning of this school year but we all feel that Jody made a difference in our classroom experience. Jody volunteered two days a week in my classroom and from the first day connected with the children in a very emotional and physical way. The children were very upset when they were told the news of Jody’s passing today and shared these remembrances with each other.
She made us feel better when we were sad.
She patted me on the back and said that things would get better.
She always tried to make things easier for us when we were reading with her.
When I wasn’t feeling good she cheered me up by letting me sit closer to her and letting me snuggle up in her jacket.
She brought treats in for us to eat.
By the way she smiled at us we could tell she liked working with children.
She helped us learn.
She would speak privately with us about our problems.
She helped us understand words we didn’t know.
When Ms. Cartwright was out she helped the substitute without being asked to.
Jody was a very specal person and I am grateful for the short time that she was able to be in my life and the student’s lives. She thanked us for letting her come in and volunteer! We should have been the ones thanking her. As you can see from the children’s remembrances that she was much more than a reading volunteer – she was a warm and loving person who cared about them. She went above and beyond and we will miss her. Always, Patty Cartwright”
Our hearts go out to Jody’s husband, Steve, her children Ben and Megan, and her huge circle of friends. We were lucky to have Jody as a part of our Experience Corps program. Rest in Peace, Jody. Thank you for everything.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Photo of the Week: February 3, 2011
Experience Corps member Rose Mozetta and student are all smiles after a reading session.
