2020 ANDi Award to Honor St. Rita Faculty Member Tim Baffoe
A New Direction (AND), is excited to announce that the 2020 Community Partnership ANDi award recipient is Tim Baffoe. Tim was selected by the AND Board for his outstanding, continuous support of AND, along with his dedication to the education of teenage boys about teen dating violence and domestic violence.
Tim is an English Teacher and the English Department Chairperson at St. Rita High School. He is The Natir Moderator and the Social Justice Club Moderator. Tim has been a faculty member at St. Rita High School for the last fourteen years. This year he teaches two Honors English classes, AP Language and Composition, Politics of Sport, and Media Literacy.
Since 2011, Tim has required freshmen to read and discuss a novel called Breathing Underwater. This story shines light on the cycle of domestic violence, including threats, intimidation, isolation, power and control, and other key contributing factors.
“Exposing young men in the classroom to issues that impact women is important because, unfortunately, there are few if any other consistent outlets in their lives that do so, and adolescence seems to be where hypermasculinity and toxic attitudes begin to calcify. At the same time, teens are also more willing to consider new and differing perspectives on important societal issues--it's adults who tend to have more stubborn worldviews. Many young men have never been asked to examine the complexities of this issue beyond the seemingly-simple platitude of ‘Violence against a partner or family member is bad’ or not being pressed to think about what ‘Respect women’ actually means.”, says Tim.
St. Rita's teachers constantly reevaluate and modify their curriculum to best incorporate lessons in empathy-building amongst the young men, and the study of this novel is just one of the multiple examples of this.
This year, the agency will not be able to hold its annual benefit and reception out of an abundance of caution for the safety of the sponsors, donors, clients and staff. This year the ANDi award has been presented to Tim in a socially distant manner in late November.
Currently, AND is looking for businesses and individuals to sponsor a client during our 2020 Sponsorship Drive. To become a sponsor, visit https://anewdirectionbmp.networkforgood.com/projects/107243-domestic-violence-month-sponsorship-campaign-2020.
Tim is an English Teacher and the English Department Chairperson at St. Rita High School. He is The Natir Moderator and the Social Justice Club Moderator. Tim has been a faculty member at St. Rita High School for the last fourteen years. This year he teaches two Honors English classes, AP Language and Composition, Politics of Sport, and Media Literacy.
Since 2011, Tim has required freshmen to read and discuss a novel called Breathing Underwater. This story shines light on the cycle of domestic violence, including threats, intimidation, isolation, power and control, and other key contributing factors.
“Exposing young men in the classroom to issues that impact women is important because, unfortunately, there are few if any other consistent outlets in their lives that do so, and adolescence seems to be where hypermasculinity and toxic attitudes begin to calcify. At the same time, teens are also more willing to consider new and differing perspectives on important societal issues--it's adults who tend to have more stubborn worldviews. Many young men have never been asked to examine the complexities of this issue beyond the seemingly-simple platitude of ‘Violence against a partner or family member is bad’ or not being pressed to think about what ‘Respect women’ actually means.”, says Tim.
St. Rita's teachers constantly reevaluate and modify their curriculum to best incorporate lessons in empathy-building amongst the young men, and the study of this novel is just one of the multiple examples of this.
This year, the agency will not be able to hold its annual benefit and reception out of an abundance of caution for the safety of the sponsors, donors, clients and staff. This year the ANDi award has been presented to Tim in a socially distant manner in late November.
Currently, AND is looking for businesses and individuals to sponsor a client during our 2020 Sponsorship Drive. To become a sponsor, visit https://anewdirectionbmp.networkforgood.com/projects/107243-domestic-violence-month-sponsorship-campaign-2020.
2019 ANDi Award to Honor Family Law Attorney Nicole Centracchio
A New Direction (AND) is excited to announce that they will present the 2019 ANDi award to Nicole Centracchio, a family law attorney and partner at Reed Centracchio and Associates, LLC. The ANDi award is a partnership award given to an individual, business or organization who helps AND fulfill its mission “to provide counseling, education, support and advocacy to individuals and families affected by domestic violence." Centracchio is being honored for her passion and commitment to victims of dv and her legal representation of them.
According to Rita Ryan, AND’s Domestic Violence Counselor and Legal Advocate, Centracchio and her associates have been extremely helpful to AND clients. “These lawyers are approachable, trustworthy, knowledgeable and caring.” She added that Centracchio’s work on ANDs more complicated cases has been exceptional.“The legal process of divorce is such an important step in a client’s journey to free themselves,” said Ryan.
Centracchio agreed with Ryan about the importance of a good legal team for victims of domestic violence. “I cannot thank AND enough for this honor and the work that they do to empower victims of domestic violence. Protecting women and their children through the fear and uncertainty of the legal system is a mission that causes my law firm, Reed, Centracchio and Associates LLC, and me to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with AND.”
The ANDi award will be presented to Centracchio at the agency’s annual benefit and reception on October 26, 2019 at Ridge Country Club, 10522 South California, from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm. Highlights of this popular event are musical entertainment from Motown Nation, open bar and hors d’oeuvres, along with a grand raffle and silent auctions. Tickets cost $75 and can be purchased after September 1 at http://AND2019.givesmart.com.
According to Rita Ryan, AND’s Domestic Violence Counselor and Legal Advocate, Centracchio and her associates have been extremely helpful to AND clients. “These lawyers are approachable, trustworthy, knowledgeable and caring.” She added that Centracchio’s work on ANDs more complicated cases has been exceptional.“The legal process of divorce is such an important step in a client’s journey to free themselves,” said Ryan.
Centracchio agreed with Ryan about the importance of a good legal team for victims of domestic violence. “I cannot thank AND enough for this honor and the work that they do to empower victims of domestic violence. Protecting women and their children through the fear and uncertainty of the legal system is a mission that causes my law firm, Reed, Centracchio and Associates LLC, and me to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with AND.”
The ANDi award will be presented to Centracchio at the agency’s annual benefit and reception on October 26, 2019 at Ridge Country Club, 10522 South California, from 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm. Highlights of this popular event are musical entertainment from Motown Nation, open bar and hors d’oeuvres, along with a grand raffle and silent auctions. Tickets cost $75 and can be purchased after September 1 at http://AND2019.givesmart.com.
Recognizing Hope &
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Color is alive at The Quilter's Trunk! Lisa Wilberding (left), store manager, Jessica McCarihan, AND Board President, and Katie Nathwani, store owner, enjoy a visit at the store.
Recognizing Service, Leadership & ProfessionalismA New Direction is committed to providing a high level of service to the families that seek its help. Every victim that comes to the agency can expect a plan tailored to meet his/her needs. The Board and staff has been recognized with several awards in the past few years for their dedication, leadership and professionalism. The awards include Little Company of Mary's Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award and Cook County's Peggy Montes Unsung Heroine Award.
A New Direction is committed to providing a high level of service to the families that seek its help. Every victim that comes to the agency can expect a plan tailored to meet his/her needs. The Board and staff has been recognized with several awards in the past few years for their dedication, leadership and professionalism. The awards include Little Company of Mary's Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award and Cook County's Peggy Montes Unsung Heroine Award.
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Recognizing
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