Something to Celebrate

Newsletter readers tell me that they especially like receiving what I would call glimpses of Abraham House, things happening here that give you a window on our world. Small incidents sometimes are able to convey big messages.

I answered the doorbell a few weeks ago and found 5-year-old Genaro reaching up and persistently ringing the buzzer. This boy is short, in fact, nearly as wide as he is tall. He said, "Sister, it is my birthday. Today I am five!"

I thought that was cute and Genaro was expecting an immediate birthday party. Almost every weekend someone among our 300 family regulars has a birthday, which is duly celebrated. "You have to wait until Saturday," I told Genaro. "Then we will have your party."

"No, Sister," he persisted. "I am here because I am five! I have come to school."

"But Genaro, you cannot come to school at Abraham House until you are six and in first-grade."

"No, Sister. I am here for school. I have a pencil, and I will work as someone who is six. I will do my homework."

How could we refuse? Teresa Gomez, the director of our After-School program, reports Genaro has lived up to his word. He is currently learning to read and write.

An eagerness for learning has spread among Abraham House families, astonishing in that the parents of nearly all the children are illiterate. And not just an eagerness; we are seeing a determination to learn. I cannot count the number of children who come here on a typical weekend. I saw Fr. Peter being swamped by a sea of kids last week. At Bible Class there must have been 80 children in the room.

For these youngsters, we need scholarships to make good use of their craving for education. There is a world of difference between the public school in Mott Haven and the parochial school, St. Jerome, which has a tough curriculum and is a fine place to study.

In memory of a wonderful man named Pete Pappas, who doted on the Abraham House kids, we have set up a special scholarship fund. Anyone can contribute.

And early this month another friend, John Koch, established a scholarship to pay for the education of a youngster until he or she finishes high school. The scholarship honors John's late mother, Evelyn Grace Koch.

Transferring to St. Jerome has an immediate effect on these children's lives. Seven-year-old Cody has been an emotionally troubled if brilliant child. He transferred to the parochial school last September and in a matter of a few days, his fears fell away. He even began to sit next to strangers here at Abraham House, eagerly explaining he hadn't been beaten up at his new school and how much he liked it. Cody has become calmer and finally is able to concentrate and finish school assignments. His severe attention-deficit disorder made that impossible before.

Those of you who care about education for needy children can contribute to the Pete Pappas Scholarship Fund at Abraham House. $2,625 provides tuition, uniform and books for a child to attend St. Jerome at Alexander and 138th Street for a year. Donated dollars and cents add up quickly.

This holiday season I want to thank you for caring and contributing to Abraham House. With more offenders now leaving instead of entering New York prisons, our programs are burgeoning.

The staff of Abraham House joins me in sending blessings and best wishes.

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