The Manhattan College community gets an education on these unique educational programs
Mr. “Skip” Gaus gives tells the founding story of Youth and Family Services as part of the Lasallian mission.
On Thursday, September 23rd, the Manhattan College community was treated to an educational presentation on Lasallian Youth and Family Services programs. Mr. Charles “Skip” Gaus, Director for De La Salle in Towne, a division of the larger St. Gabriel’s System in Philadelphia, opened the seminar with the history of the youth and family services movement in the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Starting with the early days of the Institute, when St. John Baptist de La Salle responded to the need of educating deliquent children. Mr. Gaus gave the history of Saint Yon, in Rouen, France, one of the first facilities to handle this unique need, in the early 1700’s. Continuing to the present day, Mr. Gaus explained the ever shifting needs and challenges, and how key Christian Brothers and partners responded to educating youth in troubled situations
Brother Raymond Blixt, FSC, talks about the current challenges that face children and families today.
Brother Raymond Blixt, FSC, Chief Executive Office for the Martin De Porres Schools in Springfield Gardens, New York, continued the presentation, discussing today’s unique situations that face youth and their families, and their need for alternative education. Following a video presentation that introduced all five Youth and Family Service Programs in the District of Eastern North America (La Salle School, Albany, NY; Martin De Porres Schools, Springfield Gardens, NY; Ocean Tides School, Narragansett, RI; Saint Gabriel’s System, Philadelphia, PA; Tides Family Services, West Warwick, RI) the floor was opened for questions, with many Manhattan College faculty, staff, and students engaging the presenters and their colleagues.
Faculty, staff, and students attend the Youth and Family Services seminar.