Residential Manager Charkera Stennett was inspired to attend the ” Community Helper Day” at Prospect Elementary School where her daughter is student. Charkera felt that CP Nassau is definitely an organization that helps people and the community in so many ways and felt it is important for children to get to know and feel comfortable with people with special needs, so she signed up!
Charkera explained what the day was all about to resident Sam Caban and asked if he would like to join her to speak with the kids. Sam was very happy to do this. When the date came, Sam got dressed and we arrived at the school at 9 am. When we walked into the classroom all the teachers and children greeted us with a warm welcome. Just so happens, we followed a talk by some police officers.
Charkera tells us, “ I read a book called “Extraordinary Friends” to the class as we all sat in a circle. The book was about special needs and things that we all can do but some people do in different ways. After the book, Sammy spoke and told the kids his favorite sport, and the children were so happy to hear he had a favorite sport that they like too. Sammy also told the kids he is from Puerto Rico. Lots of the children in the class were also from a Spanish country and some responded in Spanish. I asked Sam to translate for me and he laughed and then translated. This made the kids feel so comfortable with Sam.”
Charkera closed with telling the little ones, “the next time you hear or see someone walking differently, talking differently, eating differently and even playing differently, to treat them kindly and with respect. Remember that you may have more in common than you may see.”
There was a special needs child in the class who was so happy. All the kids got up and were so kind to Sam and asked him questions and Sam answered them. Sam was all smiles and loved the little ones there. Charkera commented, “It was great sharing this experience with my daughter. She was so proud of Sam. She loves Sam. Sam loves her. And everyone was so happy that Sam and I came to speak on this day.”
Well, we are proud of our great team from CP Nassau and we know that you had a great, positive impact on these young students! Thank you so very much Sam and Charkera, you are making a difference in our world!
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