Mission

I am writing on behalf of the non profit, 501C3 organization that I am chair of, Echad Awakening.  As many of you know, we had our first major event, THE POWER of ONE  in 2008 with the introduction of Immaculee Ilibagiza to the Baton Rouge community and the selection of her book LEFT TO TELL by One Book One Community. Since that time, Echad has remained an active and viable force within the community, continuing to collaborate, coordinate, and facilitate with other community and national organizations, nonprofits, businesses and volunteers.

We have steadily worked to bring innovative and cutting edge programs to Baton Rouge while also facilitating connections which already exist.  Since I am also working in Clinical Social Work at Glasgow Middle School,  have an excellent rapport with school administration, and see the extreme needs of our school and students first hand, most of Echad Awakening’s ongoing work has been implemented in the Glasgow school setting.

Just this past year, Echad was responsible for researching, reviewing and securing the MINDUP! program and curriculum introduction to Glasgow Middle School. This included full funding and provision of two full Professional Development days for its teachers and staff, ongoing support from The Hawn Foundation, MIndUP! curriculum books supplied to every teacher, Zynergy Chimes for mindful listening awareness practice and breathing exercises to be performed in every classroom. We also requested and successfully secured a partnership with LSU School of Psychology, Dr. Tyler Renshaw, to evaluate  outcomes for this project.

As a result of our efforts, MindUP! is taking root and sprouting into an integrated tool to be used by Glasgow students, faculty, and staff.  This curriculum addresses the most significant needs of this age group: learning how to control and conduct oneself individually and in community for the benefit of all. We plan to continue implementation of this program through the next and following school years,  Significantly,Dr. Renshaw has been asked by the school district to continue his research and evaluation for further review.

Echad also spearheaded two other major projects: “Healthy Snacks” during LEAP week and incorporating “Healthy Snacks” on a daily basis for the future through a partnership with City Citrus of Baton Rouge Green.  In the first project, over 7000 bottles of water and 7000 Healthy snacks were provided during LEAP testing to the Glasgow student population. In the latter, Glasgow has been accepted for plantings of citrus trees on campus for the 2014 school year. Two satsuma trees were planted last year as an introduction.  Students will be able to graze on these fruits between classes, in just two years. They will also create a fundraising project to raise monies to assist in the purchase of trees school wide.