Write to Recover collects 400 journals for Christine Ann
For a couple of 12-year olds, Samantha and
Sydney Zander sure are making waves. These two Girl Scouts aren’t just selling
cookies – they’re changing the world, one journal at a time. Samantha and
Sydney are no strangers to service projects. Last year, in conjunction with
Girl Scout Troop 2355, they earned their Bronze Award and a Wisconsin State
Senate Citation for their work on behalf of Christine Ann Domestic Abuse
Services. The troop of girls accomplished the following: provided 300
single-load laundry detergent packs; donated Girl Scout cookies; donated $250
in clothing, health and beauty items, toys, and other items; sorted and stocked
proceeds of the U.S. Postal Services food drive for Christine Ann; donated $300
worth of art supplies for the Teen Summit; and raised and donated cash and
items valued at $1,000. But if you think Samantha and Sydney are tired after
all of that, think again.
This year, to earn their Girl Scout Silver
Award, Samantha and Sydney came up with the Write to Recover project. This
project focuses on providing journals to teens in abusive dating relationships.
These young ladies understand that having a private place to write about
experiences can help teens process and heal from the trauma of abuse.
"This project is important to us because no
other group provides journals for the shelter,” the girls said. “We are unique
and we are providing a very valuable tool that helps teens recover from dating
abuse." In order to provide teens with journals, Samantha and Sydney have
coordinated a number of collection sites – from schools, to libraries and
beyond – so that the community may donate journals to support teens. These journals
will then be donated to Christine Ann for the agency’s clients to use.
What started as a great idea has boomed into an
unbelievable success. The Zander girls, in about a month, have collected over
400 journals. They’ve already delivered the first batch to Christine Ann so
that the advocates can start handing them out in support groups and one-on-one
appointments.
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“The work these girls
have put into this project is beyond impressive,” says Emily Dery, Christine
Ann’s Development and Marketing Coordinator. “And then when you realize they
are 12 years old, that’s just wild. They’ve got some big goals to spread this project
even further. I have zero doubt that these two can accomplish anything. It’s
been awesome to watch them come this far, and we’re all really excited to see
what else they can do.”
To learn more about
the Zander girls’ Write to Recover project, visit their blog – yes, they blog
too – athttp://www.writetorecover.blogspot.com/. And
make sure to watch for a Write to Recover journal drop-off site near you. On
behalf of the clients and staff at Christine Ann, especially the teens, thank
you to Samantha and Syndey Zander for their incredible dedication and
contributions to promoting healthy relationships and a safe community.
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, a
United Way Agency, is a nonprofit organization supported by grants, generous
donations and the passion of volunteers. Visit Christine Ann online atwww.christineann.net.
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