WBZ Cares: The Home For Little Wanderers Help At-Risk Students
BOSTON (CBS) - Each month, WBZ Cares highlights a worthy non-profit organization and tells the story of what that organization does for the community.
This month's organization is "The Home for Little Wanderers," the nation's oldest child welfare agency providing services to support and encourage youth to become successful adults.
The organization educates kids who have not done well in school previously.
"We're taking students that have been in school for eight- nine years and saying; 'Okay I know you have received F's and I know you have been suspended a number of times. I know you have had mobility issues, and I know the trauma on top of all that. But we're going to work with you and make you successful.'" said DaQuall Graham, Senior Director For Educational Services.
"The Home" operates two schools, one in Walpole, one in Plymouth. Graham says the specialized education they provide has been a success and he gives an example of one student.
"This was the first time that he actually sat for a test, that's a pretty long test. And not only did he take the test, but he passed the test, all three sections of them. We have three individuals like that. One passed with proficiency, a test he had failed many of times. So that really makes it worthwhile," Graham said.
Graham says the teachers they have are defiantly the key to their success.
"So if we find and maintain the right teachers, that are working with the student's every day and are invested in this type of student, the sky is the limit," he said.
And there's great satisfaction in helping these kids. According to Graham, nearly 7,000 lives have been touched from birth to adulthood.
For more information about "The Home For Little Wanderers," visit: TheHome.org or the WBZ Cares section on the CBSBoston.com.
