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Partnering for peace: Students collaborate to spread good vibes

Submitted Photo Standing up for peace are Cassadaga Job Corps Academy students Stacey Clark, Wendy Newton, Keyon Brown-Cox, Shaimel Steadwell, and Daniel Fichter with Academy at Maple Avenue students Mitchell Harris (left of grizzly), Hector Navarro, Issaic Burnett, Justina Donner, Mercedez Hunzinger, Haven Donahue, and Kevin Cyga.

Special to the OBSERVER

CASSADAGA — Side by side, they strolled up Main Street on the last day of summer and cast their stones to sprinkle positivity in the community. Peace broke out Sept. 21 when a group of students from two local schools – the Academy at Maple Avenue and the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy – united to discuss a shared goal of fostering a stronger sense of community in the village.

The timing of the collaboration is no coincidence – Sept. 21 is also International Day of Peace. It’s been observed annually for 35 years and is dedicated to world peace and celebrating the absence of war and violence.

When Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES employee Melissa Pietrkiewicz, a school social worker at the Academy at Maple Ave, teamed up with Adam Dolce, business and community liaison for the Cassadaga Job Corps, they decided it was an ideal opportunity to unite the two schools. The students are a few years apart in age and their fields of study differ slightly — but their dreams and commitment to success don’t diverge.

“We’re more alike than we are different,” said Pietrkiewicz, who also runs the altruistic community group Partners in Kind of Chautauqua County (like them on Facebook @PartnersinKind1215) in her spare time. “The Job Corps students are a little more mature and are in a place where some of our students hopefully will be when they graduate — a path toward independence, gainful employment and stability.”

BUILDING PEOPLE UP

The CJCA is a no-cost education and career technical training program for young people age 16 to 24 to improve their lives via academics and skill building, with a goal of meaningful job placement or higher education for all who complete the program. Career paths include healthcare/nursing, security and various trades such as carpentry.

The special day also coincided with Youth 2 Youth: Partners 4 Peace, a nationwide initiative of Job Corps. It aims to raise awareness about violence while promoting positivity through encouraging people instead of dragging them down. It promotes discussion about bullying and aggression while encouraging students to learn more about their peers whose lives have been touched by violence, empower each other and explore solutions.

“It really put the emphasis on our students engaging the community, talking to young people about mentoring, preventing violence, and getting that conversation going about how we can do better as a community and at our own Job Corps center,” said Dolce. “It goes beyond our borders and out into the community. Positivity and problem-solving are essential employment skills so this fits right in with our purpose.”

The Academy at Maple Avenue, which is part of E2CCB, opened in September 2016 and educates students in seventh through 12th grades via its Alternative Education division. The division serves students who perform outside the norms of a traditional school culture. Enrollment hovers around 100 students who reside throughout Chautauqua County and the curriculum is designed to ensure all students meet their academic potential and graduate.

“We try to foster an environment where our students can connect and thrive,” said Pietrkiewicz. “So many want a sense of belonging and want to be part of something bigger than themselves. They want to be a force for good in the neighborhood.”

“I hope we get the opportunity to come back, work together and keep the Y2Y momentum going between E2CCB and Job Corps,” noted Dolce.

OPENING HEARTS AND MINDS

What began as a celebration turned into a conversation closer to their hearts — all dozen students who participated acknowledged the universal desire for connection and community.

The students paired up to break the ice, coaxing small talk through sips of hot cocoa and bites of doughnuts and muffins. They shared what they learned about each other with the rest of the group then watched an anti-violence music video. They found common ground and purpose in their commitment to their studies. Obvious similarities aside, all of the students are longing for a place to call home. They hope to achieve that through reaching out, giving back and showing appreciation.

“There are children, adults, the elderly in this community that really enjoy going out and looking for these painted rocks,” said Pietrkiewicz, alluding to the #CassadagaRocks Facebook group, one of many social media accounts devoted to discussing the proliferation of painted rocks surreptitiously strewn throughout public spaces in Chautauqua.

The fun really started when they began painting the stones — transforming them into colorful jewels — most with words of encouragement. “Never Give Up,” “Trials Bring Triumph,” “Love Yourself” and “Don’t Let Anyone Bring You Down!” were some of the sentiments they shared.

Participants had free creative control over their rocks as long as they stuck to the basic guidelines of inserting positivity and peace into everyday life.

“Think about a student walking home from school who was just bullied and thinks no one cares about them,” said Pietrkiewicz. “They are having these thoughts and feelings — and then they look under a tree and find a rock that says ‘You’re Amazing!’ They flip it over and realize it’s people just like them who are behind putting out that positivity.”

The group then took a short walk in the village, carefully depositing their decorated rocks in public spaces, before heading back to the Academy at Maple Avenue. The students and staff hope local residents find and share their discoveries on social media and see the project as an opportunity to connect.

ROCK SOLID IN THE COMMUNITY

The Academy at Maple Avenue has settled into its location and enrollment is projected to increase. The Alternative Education division is helping students and staff establish a sense of school pride. Earlier this year, they selected a mascot – a grizzly bear, which are known for their tenacity. A grizzly bear carved out of a tree trunk by Tactical Tree Solutions of Jamestown is stationed outside the school’s main entrance.

“I hope you guys had a great time exploring your differences and your similarities, as well as getting to know one another and the different programs,” said Principal Kevin Bourgoine, who greeted the students along with Director of Alternative and Special Education Jennifer Saboda upon their return from their rock distribution mission.

“Cassadaga is a wonderful town to develop community partnerships to enhance our students’ integrated experiences and provide opportunities for collaborations that will foster post-secondary success,” said Saboda.

Local residents curious about the schools are invited to learn more at e2ccb.org and cassadaga.jobcorps.gov. Volunteerism is encouraged at both schools. Community members and organizations with suggestions for projects or mentorship opportunities are welcome to reach out to both schools with ideas. A Facebook page for the “Cassadaga Rocks” group currently has 50-some participants.

“You were all so easy to talk to, and I really enjoyed getting to know each other,” said Stacey Clark, the Y2Y Champion at the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy, who is studying security. “This was a great experience. It feels really natural. Hopefully we can come back.”

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