Onward!

Another academic year has come and gone - this one a hundred times stranger than any other that I have experienced.  Yet, with all the disruption, inconvenience, and frustrations of a world-wide pandemic, we somehow made it work.  The entire DRC crew endured an enormous test.  Our collective trust in each other, as well as our flexibility, creativity, and kindness - generated even stronger bonds of connection.  I am happy to say not only did our community survive, but we also thrived. 

Friday, a very chilly day in the neighborhood, we celebrated three young people who finished their high school careers, as well as all of our other accomplishments this year, with a cookout and graduation ceremony.  

Thank you to all of our kiddos, their families, our volunteers, and our staff for making it all possible during this stressful year.  I am eternally grateful to you all.

* Photo credits to Amber B., Chase V., & Loretta B.- Thank you!

For those of you who enjoy numbers, we ended the year with forty-one members between our three programs (nearly double our membership this time last year). We had one graduate from each program.  We had a total of five staff people at the two physical facilities.  And, during the Fall and Spring semesters, we had a total of twenty St. Lawrence CBL (community-based learning) volunteers facilitating an average of thirty virtual sessions each week through Google Meet this fall and our Discord Server this spring.  Out of our nine month academic year, we were in person a total of three and a half months, and remote for five and one half months. 

Now, onward!  I am excited to discover what year number eight has in store for DRC!  As more folks discover the benefits of self-directed education - these numbers will only go up.  Stay-tuned!