Brightside children

By Lori O'Brien, Correspondent

WEST SPRINGFIELD Changing the world one ark at a time.

That's the premise of the Heifer International Gift Ark, a unique program that offers opportunities to purchase animals to benefit needy families in Africa, South America, Asia, Europe and North America. Heifer International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to ending world hunger and caring for the earth by providing livestock, trees, training and other resources to help struggling families around the globe.

More than 40 youngsters at Brightside for Families and Children spent the spring participating in Heifer International's Read to Feed program which included fundraising and reading opportunities. With their successful completion of the program, students will soon choose a destination where a variety of animals will be sent to help improve the lives for countless families who are in need the most, according to Barbara Gallagher Jarry, M.Ed, MS, LMFT, Spiritual Development Manager, Brightside for Families and Children. Gallagher Jarry spearheaded the program which will culminate in July with a trip to the Heifer Overlook Farm in Rutland.

What makes this program even more unique is that the givers are children who are facing hard times themselves, yet, despite their own unhappy and in some cases, tragic circumstances, they were excited to be participating in the Read to Feed program, noted Gallagher Jarry.

"Connections is a key word in describing the Heifer International project," said Gallagher Jarry, during an interview with Reminder Publications. "This program has helped youth connect to God, to others, to self and to the earth. It's teaching youth how their own positive actions and decisions can make the world a better place."

Gallagher Jarry explained that students read books and viewed videos on a variety of topics that ranged from taking care of the earth and its animals to respecting diversity and ending world hunger.

Vinnie Regan, M.Ed, educational administrator at the Brightside Treatment Center School, also embraced the spring program.

"As principal, I am impressed by Heifer International's Read to Feed program as it encompasses both literacy development and community/world service," he said. "Our kids have risen to the challenge and are proud of helping others with needs in spite of their own struggles."

The spring program concluded in May with eight classes of Brightside students completing 10 books on faraway lands as well as viewing several videos on Heifer International's programs that detail how families large and small have lifted themselves out of poverty through the donations of animals.

"The Read to Feed program increased their knowledge of care, respect for the earth, animals and others," said Gallagher Jarry. "Read to Feed also enhanced their reading skills."

At press time, the students had raised close to $3,000 which will allow them to choose from a variety of animals that range from cows, sheep, camels and oxen, to water buffalo, goats, pigs and chicks. Heifer International then gives the chosen animals to poverty stricken families in the lands that the Brightside youngsters have read about extensively.

"Those families use the animals to produce goods or food they can barter or sell for significant improvement in the family's long-term economic stability," added Gallagher Jarry.

Brightside students conducted 50/50 raffles, made and sold creative snacks, and crocheted items all in an effort to raise as much money as possible for a cause that captivated their imaginations.

Partnerships played an integral role in the success of this program which included parishioners of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Longmeadow making a monetary donation to the students' final tally, as well as residents of Providence Place in Holyoke making pledges to children throughout the Read to Feed semester. In addition, the teachers and staff at Brightside and the staff and Sisters of Providence at Providence Place, served as sponsors for the Brightside classes.

"The childrens' self-worth blossomed during the spring," noted Margaret McCleary, SP, director of resident programs at Providence Place. "They saw how they could change the world a little bit."

Richard Pelland, director of Providence Place, echoed Sr. McCleary's sentiments.

"The program gave affirmation to kids that we're in your corner, we care about what you do," he said.

Gallagher Jarry also noted she was touched when she recently asked students for their input on the program. She said students' comments ranged from "I learned about compassion," "I learned about care for the earth," and "I learned about respect and love for animals and people," to "I learned that God is with all of us and loves us."

Springfield Bishop Timothy McDonnell also acknowledged the hard work of the Brightside classes with a special recognition ceremony on May 29 during a Read to Feed Reception at Providence Place.

"It's so positive to be acknowledged and these kids have had so little of it in their lives," said Gallagher Jarry, commenting on the Bishop's presence. "We wanted to have this reception to tell them they are special, they are loved, and just how proud we all are of them."

The program culminates with a representative of Heifer International visiting the Brightside campus in June to meet the students and express the humanitarian agency's gratitude, and lastly, students will visit the official Heifer Farm in Rutland. More than 20,000 visitors descend on the 270-acre working farm each year that allows participants to experience the cultures of Thailand, Guatemala, Peru and Kenya. Visitors can also learn about Heifer's global development efforts as well as enjoy horse-drawn hayrides, experience organic foods, and take self-guided tours of the global village.

For more information on Heifer International's programs, visit www.heifer.org.