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New Haven, CT |
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A letter from Curtis and Mary Sliwa
Dear Friends,
 Empowerment. For more than a quarter of a century one word has clearly defined The Guardian Angels mission. Though our role in providing safety is ever-evolving, both within the United States and abroad, one tenet has remained resolute- self-actualization, The Guardian Angels, through its multifaceted programs, has influenced neighborhoods into action around the globe. As we charter new territory in education in this current climate of international terrorism, safety in our schools has emerged as a necessity. It is paramount that we continue to teach children, adolescents and teachers how to fully realize one's potential even in the midst of environmental turmoil.
Since the seventies, we learned the art of developing an industrious nature. First we utilized our own community members to ward off crime with street and subway patrols and over time directed our attention to the seedlings of delinquency - our children. We became skilled at creating solutions out of potential problems despite very little funding. The Guardian Angels began actively seeking assistance and cooperation from community, governmental and corporate authorities to throw an arm behind this tug of war with crime by creating an open forum for safety education.
For 28 years, The Guardian Angels have been developing positive role models through community based safety patrols and educational programs. This luminous event highlights our story of dedication, determination and unwavering commitment to providing viable solutions for educational and classroom safety challenges.
We have worked conscientiously over the years to turn our grassroots activism into global action. The Guardian Angels nascent safety patrols of the 1980s have evolved into a worldwide organization, In the past few years there has been a substantial and deliberate shift from the external arena of the streets and subways to the interior sphere of the classroom. By forging strong partnerships with educational, business, cultural and religious institutions, we have expanded the breadth of our programs. Our impact is being felt not just in New York, but around the world, with chapters in over 100 cities and 12 countries.
Our mission transcends geography because The Guardian Angels objective to educate satisfies a universal need. By providing children and teenagers with the appropriate skills for expression through our educational initiatives and violence prevention programs they learn the importance of values, decision-making, and community involvement. Our Teaching the Teachers initiative is revolutionary in size and scope because we focus on educating the teachers and support staff to fulfill state-mandated requirements for safety coursework in New York and New Jersey, This program provides the appropriate skills and confidence for educators to address the critical issues that threaten safe and effective education.
Every day we are tackling new frontiers and developing curricula to ensure our children's safety in school, at home and online. To underscore that point, simply open a daily newspaper or tune in to the evening news. The Guardian Angels sensed the undercurrent of such concern in 2002 and so shortly before the one year anniversary of September 11th, we began a monthly workshop sponsored and hosted by St. John's University. In these uncertain times, safety has never been more imperative, This program, which is approved by the New York State Education Department, is for educators seeking certification as part of New York State's "Safe Schools Against Violence in Education" Act (Project SAVE). Our primary goal is to engender personal empowerment and The Guardian Angels reputation for its steadfast dedication gives credence to our vision.
After more than a quarter of a century, our vision for change, passion for action and commitment to safety is as strong as ever. The Guardian Angels is a manifestation of an unadorned aspiration to make a difference. We are living proof that with determination and drive, nothing is impossible. With your continued support, our potential is limitless.
Sincerely,
Curtis and Mary Sliwa
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