"Counselors Care" Fund Grant Assists New Orleans Charter School

While the ACA Foundation's "Counselors Care" program has grown to be much bigger than just a response to the Katrina tragedy, it was that event which provided the impetus for establishing the fund, and which has drawn the generous donations of so many counselors across the nation.

Today there are still many needs related to Katrina that need to be addressed. A recent "Counselors Care Fund" grant was awarded to Reshelle Ruiz to help in her work as the counselor for Pierre A. Capdau - UNO Charter School. What follows is an account from Ms. Ruiz on how that grant has been put to use in aiding the Katrina-affected students at her school:

Pierre A. Capdau - UNO Charter School New Orleans"I would first like to send a big thank you for your help in providing our students at Pierre A. Capdau - UNO Charter School with counseling resources. The middle school counseling office did not have a single resource when I accepted the position in December 2007. We now have 32 items ranging from therapeutic games to reference books for school counselors. I was able to shop wisely on Amazon.com to begin stocking the school counseling office, and for that I am greatly appreciative.

I learned about the Counselor's Care Grant from my on-site supervisor, Dawn Romano, PhD. Our students were struggling with a bullying issue, and we were brainstorming about activities to address the issue while keeping their interest. This is when I was informed that the Counselor's Care Grant might be able to assist in purchasing materials specifically for bullying issues in schools. Low and behold, I applied for the grant and received the $500.00 check within 3 weeks. I found an excellent Anti-Bullying board game that can be used for small and large groups. Since then our bullying issue has decreased. We are working towards implementing a school wide program that targets bullying.

Additionally, I purchased various school counseling items including the following: crisis counseling books; solution-focused and brief therapy school counseling books; therapeutic activity books that focus on self-esteem, grief/loss, anger management, conflict-resolution, problem-solving, etc,; stress relief balls and gadgets; guided imagery relaxation CD's; National Geographic's Hurricane Katrina video; and art supplies for emotional expression through art. Thus far, the students seem thankful to have resources and people who care. They pour into the counseling office on a daily basisJ

All in all, our students and members of the community continue to face the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on a daily basis. At least 40-50% of our students remain displaced from their original homes two and a half years ago. Many students still live in trailers with 5-10 other family members. By no means have we fully recovered from the many losses experienced on the day of August 29, 2005. We still struggle to normalize our lives, when things still are not ‘normal'—nor will they ever be exactly as we knew it. I strive to instill hope, support, and encouragement in the minds of our middle school students. The resources from the Counselors Care Fund have assisted in meeting that goal. While the students continue to function on a daily basis, they prove their utmost resiliency as they grow into young adults who will be forever changed from their experiences of Hurricane Katrina. My heart goes out to every experience I learn about, and I will continue to put forth 100% of my effort in helping the students heal and recover.

I look forward to purchasing more items for the middle school counseling office in the near future. On behalf of all faculty, staff, and students at Pierre A. Capdau - UNO Charter School, we thank you very much for your assistance in helping to rebuild our lives—one student at a time. Our school motto is "Whatever it Takes", and your foundation has helped us to do just that. Thank you kindly."

Reshelle Ruiz, Middle School Counselor, Pierre A. Capdau - UNO Charter School, New Orleans.