A local hero is coming to Muhlenberg on Tuesday, November 2nd and it is an event that you do not want to miss! Russell “Rooster” Valentini is the Homeless Education Liaison for the Allentown School District and has been working with homeless children in the area for over 20 years. He has made it his personal mission to ensure that children experiencing homelessness can still attend school and get an education equal to their peers with permanent housing. He is a talented speaker and will be sharing his experiences with the Muhlenberg community, including the poetry he writes about the children he meets. Rooster was the recipient of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY.) In his nomination letter for this award he was described as having “an uncanny knack of being able to counter resistance and prejudice with the right blend of referring to the law, using common sense, evoking compassion, and insisting on doing the right thing for students.” This past Sunday the 24th, you may have seen a cart being wheeled around freshman and sophomore dorms with people selling bagels and hot beverages…the money made from this fundraiser will be used to buy toiletry items for Rooster to give to the children he works with.
Rooster will be at Muhlenberg on Tuesday, November 2nd in the Seegers Union Event Space at 7:00 pm. The event is sponsored by Students Have A Real Effect (SHARE) and there is a suggested donation of a toiletry product which will be given to Rooster for the children he works with.
See you on the 2nd!
- Meghan Butler, Class of 2012
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