Peace Be With You

Have a look at how Christian Brothers is giving back to kids during the International Lasallian Days for Peace.

Lasallians all around the world are finishing up their preparations for the 6^th annual International Lasallian Days for Peace (ILDP). Every year, Young Lasallians gather to coordinate in activities  that promote peace and the theme of the year.

This year’s ILDP, which spans from September 21^st to October 21^st, the theme is the defense of the rights of the child and CB is excited to be involved.

Every year, children around the world experience hardships that deprive them of the opportunity to live normally lives. Superior General Brother Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria gave a shocking statistic:

“Today we hear about more than 250,000 boy and girl “soldiers; 275 million children who each year witness acts of domestic violence — devastating psychological consequences that may mark them for life — 218 million children obliged to work – and, therefore, without the possibility of studying.”

These statistics are staggering. However, CB tries to do its part in keeping the hopes of a better future alive for children in the community. Julie Santucci (’13), an active Lasallian Youth club member for two years, sacrifices countless hours to give back to the St. Patrick’s Elementary school community by tutoring second graders. She assists them with math, spelling, and reading for an hour a day, two days a week.

“I like hearing their stories,” Julia said, when asked what her favorite part of working with the second graders. “Sometimes I can actually relate to them.”

The Lasallian Youth club isn’t the only way CB reaches out to communities. Venaver: New Orleans was another immersion program where Christian Brothers students went to New Orleans to help rebuild neighborhoods destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. This program helped involved CB students in areas similar to Oak Park, while helping rebuild lives for families devastated by natural disasters.

With this year being the first year that Christian Brothers actively participates in the International Lasallian Days for Peace, CB is doing everything it possibly can to live up to the theme and answer the call of Lasallians all around the world.