Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Re:Start’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

The first day Erin Gruwell walked through the doors of Wilson High School in Long Beach, California, she was entirely unprepared for her introduction to a community filled with gang violence, high juvenile detention rates, and drugs.  It didn’t take long for shock to become action as she encouraged students to rechart their futures by rethinking themselves.  The students she encountered soon became critical thinkers, college students, and real citizens within their communities. 

You may remember this story from The Freedom Writers Diary, the book published by Gruwell and her students, or the 2007 film Freedom Writers that retold their story to a wider audience.

Tomorrow night, Re:Start – The Center for Adult Education in Chattanooga is welcoming Erin Gruwell to the Tivoli stage as part of their 50th Anniversary Celebration.  In addition to being founder and president of the Freedom Writers Foundation, Gruwell is one of the most respected educators in the country, widely known for the transformative way her influence as a teacher converted student apathy into responsible action. 

Since Erin Gruwell’s story has inspired educators in our region and around the world, Re:Start’s goal is to make tomorrow night’s event accessible for as many people in the Chattanooga community as possible.  They’ve focused specifically on teens and young adults, partnering with event sponsors who will serve as benefactors for area non-profits and organizations serving at-risk youth.  Sponsors include Brewer Broadcasting, Chattem, Unum, Benwood Foundation, Pannell Mechanical, Inc., and WRCB Channel 3.

Tickets for Thursday evening’s event are $15 and are available online or by calling the Memorial Auditorium box office at (423) 757-5050.

And in case you aren’t familiar with Re:Start’s work in our community, here’s what they’re all about: “Re:Start is an adult education service dedicated to the idea that educated adults have greater economic opportunity, are less vulnerable to those who would take advantage, are less likely to live in poverty, and make more productive citizens and better parents, therefore making Chattanooga a better community.”