In April we hosted a group of visitors from Azerbaijan whose objectives were to examine the challenges to success that children face in the United States. During their visit, we coordinated several meetings with members of the local community who shared their knowledge and expertise on the topic of at-risk children.
On their first day of scheduled appointments, the group met with Randy Hamil, Pastor of Student Ministries/Missions at Northridge Church, for a volunteer activity which included packing food bags for children of low income families. Later in the day the group met with Maurice Jones, program specialist at the Fricker Community Center, to explore how NGOs collaborate with government social service structures.
In order to view alternative services and opportunities for at-risk children, the group met with Vivian Lamont of the Belmont Arts Center, Tim Godwin of the Miracle Baseball League of Pensacola, and Georgia Blackmon of Mother Wit, a local nonprofit that works with children from elementary to high school.
To look at strategies to re-integrate troubled children and children with disabilities, the delegation met with Susan Byram of Autism Pensacola and Mary Ziemba of the Florida Inclusion Network. To finish off the program, the visitors went to Warrington Middle School to meet Major General Alfonsa Gilley and Eric Pickett of STRIDE (Students Taking Responsibility In Developing Excellence), a community-based NGO mentorship program that targets at risk fourth and fifth grade male students.
We also extend a special thank you to Randy and Sunaree Bullock, Anne Marie Kietzmann and Dr. Jania Kietzmann, and Lydia Scherck who all hosted the visitors for home hospitality.
