Paz wearing his crazy hat for the Family Literacy Program at the Brooklyn Family Justice Center

[charlotte bednarsh]

We convene a family literacy program at the Brooklyn Family Justice Center which is funded by the Brooke Jackman Foundation in honor of a young woman, Brooke Jackman, who perished at the age of 23, during the attacks on 911.  Brooke wanted to be a social worker, and help children.  Brooke loved to read, and felt all children should be provided with the opportunity to learn to read.  Towards that end, and to honor Brooke's memory, her family set up a foundation which now funds family literacy programs and distributes beautiful books and backpacks to disadvantaged children throughout NYC.  The Brooklyn Family Justice Center where I am Director of Children's Services, is the recipient of grant dollars from the Brooke Jackman Foundation, and we run family literacy programs ( one cycle is for english speakers, and one cycle is bilingual).  Two weeks ago, we read a book called "Crazy Hair Day" and Paz who attends many of the sessions, wore his crazy hair hat, which delighted all the kids and staff.  He is such a good "egg' because he posed for pictures, wearing this crazy hair hat.  So here it is, Paz wearing his "Crazy Hair Hat" for the kids.   Today he is wearing bells and antlers, which has already brought lots of smiles to so many of the kids we serve who have been witness to horrific violence in their lives.  Doodles are the best!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

You guys are involved in so many wonderful programs!  Sophie and I so miss being able to continue with her Therapy visits while she is going through Chemo.  I so hope that once her treatments are finished her remission, for however long, will allow us to get back out again!  We were just getting ready to approach our Court System here when she got sick, about volunteering with young witnesses of violent crimes or domestic abuse,  like the program you are involved with there in NY.  When I read about that I thought it was such a great opportunity and that there would be such a great need here in our area.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Paz and you do such good work.