Letter from the Executive Vice President
The first two months of 2010 have been full of action for Barrio. In
addition to being honored at the Holland & Knight event, the Barrio
team visited Taft High School, Darwin Middle School, and
Westmont High School. Students asked Robert very personal
questions about issues in their own lives and once again confirmed
how much Barrio is neededmore than any of us ever imagined.
Teachers and school administrators know how important it is to meet
the social and emotional needs of their students so academic
success can follow, and they are recognizing that BARRIO is a tool
that fills this need! We are privileged to be helping students reach
their full potential! To see all the foundation is doing, please look at
the photo galleries below. Enjoy the pictures, and visit our website
often for updates: www.fromthebarrio.com.
With my kindest regards,
Cheryl Maraffio
Executive Vice President,
From the Barrio Foundation
Holland & Knight
Last month's event at Holland & Knight was a wonderful success. We
were honored by the number of business and educational leaders
who came out to support our foundation. Holland & Knight made a
generous financial contribution, and Swedish Covenant Hospital
quickly followed the event with a commitment to sponsor the
program at additional schools in Chicago. We thank Rob Lang, Elias
Matsakis, and the entire staff of Holland & Knight for making the
event possible.
Dr. Louise Eggert-Nevins Joins the Team
The newly appointed Director of Teacher Training, Dr. Louise
Eggert-Nevins, has been an educator for more than 40 years and a
CPS principal and administrator for more than 20. Louise is a firm
believer that every child in the country should read From the Barrio.
Louise is working with the foundation to provide support to teachers
and administrators looking to implement From the Barrio to the
Classroom. She is an outstanding asset, and we welcome her
expertise and her enthusiasm for our mission with open arms and
much appreciation.
Darwin Elementary
The afternoon before the event at Holland & Knight, Robert spoke to
an auditorium of students at Darwin Elementary who received books
through the generosity of Holland & Knight. Thank you to principal
Mauricio Segovia and the students who asked exceptional questions
about Robert's life and their own.
Taft High School
On February 10th, Robert addressed an auditorium of 7th grade
students at Taft High School who had participated in the full From
the Barrio to the Classroom Program sponsored by Swedish
Covenant Hospital. After Robert's presentation, the kids asked
questions for 45 minutes. Time after time, we are impressed with the
depth of the questions Robert is asked, not only about his life, but
also about advice related to dealing with gangs, substance abuse,
and a difficult home life. We are honored at the courage
demonstrated by students who are standing up and asking for help.
Westmont High School
On March 2nd, Westmont High School, whose students participated
in From the Barrio to the Classroom, invited us for a visit. Robert
spoke to an auditorium of 400 students, and then our team discussed
the writing process with a select group of 100 before moving to a
VIP reception for student and community leaders. Students at
Westmont who had participated in a Barrio art contest had their
artwork on display. They each chose a sentence from the book and
created a piece of art around it. They were all so impressive! Other
creative ideas included "From the Barrio" cutouts from slices of
bread topped with garnishes and tee shirts with "From the Barrio to
Westmont High School" printed on the front. We honor and value
the tremendous leadership at Westmont and the students who
opened their hearts, minds, and school to us for an entire afternoon.
Interviews
During the last couple of months, Robert and Corey have been
interviewed numerous times about the foundation and the work that
the Barrio team is doing (WKRS, Voice America, In Little Village).
Make sure you check the What's Happening page of the website to
keep up with all the great activity.
Upcoming Appearances
•March 12: Robert, Cheryl, and Corey speak at St Charles Youth
Prison
•March 21: Robert appears with Harv Roman on WCYC the Classic
90.5 FM
•April 1: Corey appears on Better at School with Florence Bernard
•April 7: Robert keynotes for The Compassion Foundation Annual
Dinner
Get Involved
The Barrio book is a teaching tool, Robert is a resource, and the
From the Barrio Foundation is here to support your involvement in
impacting our youth. Please introduce Barrio to your contacts,
sponsor a classroom, forward the newsletter to all your friends, and/or
contact your local middle school or high school to introduce Barrio.
You can contact any one of us directlywe'd love to talk with you.
Robert Renteria, Chairman: robert@fromthebarrio.com
Corey Blake, CEO: corey@fromthebarrio.com
Cheryl Maraffio, Executive VP: cheryl@fromthebarrio.com
Get Your Copy
Click here to order From the Barrio to the Board Room and see what
everyone is talking about.
For bulk/discount orders, please contact publisher/co-author Corey
Blake.
CPS Vendor #:63134
Our youth are facing tremendous struggles and difficult odds.
School shootings and gang violence are affecting all of us. But this
is our moment. This is our time. Our time to take a new path for the
children we love in this country we love. Everyone deserves a fair
shot at chasing the American Dream! I am prepared for this
challenge. I am prepared to make a difference. Together we can
change the world!
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