Founder’s Week embraces LaSalle traditions, honors family

ALBANY – Activities celebrating Founder’s Week, and the life of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, happened as planned from Monday, May 14th through Friday, May 18th. In addition, two events important to recognizing volunteerism and youth accomplishments were rolled into the week, as well.

Monday, May 14th was not only Earth Day at LaSalle Albany but the morning to recognize a long-standing contributor to LaSalle. The Hanner Center was the site of the breakfast ceremony awarding Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Blendell with the thirteenth annual Mary G. Breslin Volunteer Service Award from LaSalle School. It was not only a fitting way to begin Founder’s Week but the day after Mother’s Day and an appropriate recognition of a woman who, like Mary Breslin, has given much of her life to serving others.

Daniel, LaSalle’s recipient of a Albany Rotary Youth Award was acknowledge mid-week at a luncheon keynoted by Most Rev. Howard J. Hubbard, AFSC. The award acknowledges youth in child caring settings for their determination and perseverance to build better lives for themselves. In Bishop Hubbard’s remarks, he called on youth to see the positive in mistakes and learn from them. A highlight was Daniel performing on guitar with community musician Ruth Pelham as she sang ”Stand Up and Be Counted.’ Daniel was congratulated by his peers and staff at LaSalle during the next day’s Student and Staff Appreciation Awards assembly. In 2013, Pelham received LaSalle Albany’s Volunteer Service Award.

LaSalle School is a leader in programs and services for youth and families in crisis offering a variety of programs designed to meet their needs including specialized residential placement, day service education, and alternative to detention services. The Counseling Center at LaSalle is an OMH and OASAS licensed outpatient behavioral health clinic located at LaSalle School, and currently implementing ACE treatment practices with youth and families. LaSalle is accredited by the national Council on Accreditation (COA), and affiliated with the Council on Families and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA), and the national Alliance for Strong Families and Communities. LaSalle is a member of The New York State Coalition of 853 Schools.