The Chairs of Catholic Schools’ Week -  Resurrection School mothers Kathleen MacGilvray and Kate Taubner, presented the Resurrection School donation to St. Vincent’s management staff On February 24, Wednesday afternoon. To represent the winning Resurrection classrooms from the grammar and the middle schools, 2^nd grade twins Steven and Garen Korian along with 4^th grader Christopher Parker were on hand to present the award.

St. Vincent’s Medical Director Dr. Richard Milone addressed the Resurrection group,  “We are grateful for this gift, and the money will go a long way in helping us update equipment and materials for our Excel program.  This is for teenagers ages 13-18 who suffer from alcohol and substance abuse problems.  A portion of the donation will also go towards helping our geriatric mental health services because Resurrection students understand that grandparents sometimes need extra help too.”  He asked the kids what their prizes were for winning for wining the contest. Steven, Garen and Christopher all replied in unison, “Pizza and Ice cream parties!”

Resurrection mothers, staff and children were then treated to a special tour of St. Vincent’s to see exactly how the donation will be put to work.   First stop was a classroom where the educational portion of Excel takes place. It was explained that students enrolled in the full Excel program arrive at 9am by school bus and work on their core educational subjects with certified teachers until 11am. They also participate in gym twice a week. It is important to students they get school credit so they will not be considered absent while getting help at St. Vincent’s.  Students in early stages of substance abuse can stay in their regular school and go to Excel at night.

Next stop was across the hall.  This was a room where the students spent the rest of their day in group therapy with Excel program counselors until 2:30pm dismissal.   Lillian Neuman, an Excel program counselor, showed the children the different student materials the donation will help support.  The Resurrection students all carefully examined the various textbooks, pamphlets, therapy videos, TV/DVD, and sports equipment. Lillian held up a t-shirt with handprints of many different colors for them to see.  “This is a special gift each student receives once he or she completes the Excel program. The hands can represent a caring hand on their shoulder, an encouraging hand or maybe the little shove that finally gets them to finish.” 

Another Excel program counselor, Ana Guis, pointed to the wall calendars on display. “Two weeks, even a day is a big accomplishment for these kids who are battling substance abuse and alcohol problems”.  The calendar days were filled with flowerpot stickers and the windowsills held actual flowerpots with seeds growing at various stages. Ana said, “We have the students plant the seeds as a symbol of their growth and “resurrection” so to speak.”

The final stop on the tour was a room for a different out patient program.  This program is for teens that do not suffer from alcohol abuse or drug dependency but mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.  Here, Resurrection was told, they receive outpatient services to help them learn to cope with school and the outside environment.

When the res students were asked what kind of hospital did they think St. Vincent’s was Christopher Parker responded, “It’s a hospital that fixes people’s minds.”

Meg Sutton, Director of Development added, “ Yes, this is not a place where we mend broken bones, but, rather, help mend broken minds and hearts.  Our services offer strength and hope so patients can go on to live a better life.”

Kathleen MacGilvray, a Resurrection Chair of Catholic Schools Week, concluded at the end of the tour, “This is the third year Resurrection has donated the winnings from the Catholic Schools Week “Change for Chance” contest.  Let’s hope next year will bring an even bigger win for St. Vincent’s Westchester!”