Friday, August 10, 2012
A profound impact
By: Jill M., Student Advisor, Christel House Indianapolis, IN
Before I began
providing full-time mental health and support services to students and families
at Christel House Academy
(CHA) five years ago, I was in the building one day a week as part of a larger
program serving twelve schools. I was drawn to both the staff and
students of CHA and by the positive family atmosphere that encompasses the
education experience. I did not see this atmosphere at other schools and
was determined that this was a place where I could make a difference with kids
and grow professionally and personally.
If I told the students what a positive influence they have
had on my life, and how their stories and lives have helped shaped me into a
better person, they would most likely laugh and tell me I am being such a
“counselor.” But, their impact on me is both unavoidable and
profound.
I love talking with students who have grown up through CHA
and are now in our high school program. Many will be the first in their
families to graduate from high school and definitely the first to attend
college.
This year, I couldn’t hide my excitement when one student
asked me to fill out a recommendation letter for a summer college prep
program. This same student told me three years ago that she “wasn’t meant
for college” and didn’t think it was right for her. I asked her to keep
college in mind and talked with her about the programs and careers in which she
would excel. Because of the academic attention and support of CHA, she
has decided on her own that college is the right path for her.
Every day I step through CHA’s doors, I know I could witness
and be a part of changing a student’s life and forever altering their future
for the good. It is such a privilege!
Labels: Academy, Christel House, Christel House Academy, college, counselor, education, students
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Poverty in India: A Principal's Perspective
Carey Dahncke is the principal of Christel House Academy in Indianapolis. He recently visited our learning center in Bangalore for the first time. Since he works with our students in the United States every day, Carey knows what poverty looks like here, but it didn't completely prepare him for traveling abroad. He writes:
Spending a week in Bangalore, I was struck with how warm and
welcoming the Indian people were during our visit. While at Christel House India, I was welcomed
by the students and staff. The school
was clearly a special place.
During one classroom visit, I was particularly impressed
with how focused and attentive the students were. They absolutely had a desire to learn. The respect and drive exhibited by these
children was similar to what you might expect at a private school in an
international setting.
Later that same day, I had the privilege to visit the
neighborhood of a few of these children.
Unlike children who typically attend private schools, these children did
not have parents with means who were searching for an edge in a competitive
world. These children and families came
from a tightly knit neighborhood with meager resources. By American standards, this was a desperate
neighborhood. In the US, visiting this
community would have been considered risky and dangerous. Dirt streets, communal toilets and showers,
over crowded homes; poorly constructed with no regard to any sort of
construction standards. Some of the
homes could best be described as quickly constructed shelters. Despite the extreme poverty, there was no
graffiti. There were no drunks or
druggies in the streets. No one yelled
or shouted profanity at us. I saw no
locks on the doors, but there seemed to be no evidence of crime. At times, it was hard to reconcile what I was
seeing.
What we experienced was in sharp contrast to what I might
expect had we been in the US. Our group
was graciously welcomed into this community.
No one apologized or seemed ashamed.
Quite the opposite, the entire neighborhood was proud and eager to show
off their homes to us. Small possessions
that might seem insignificant to Americans, were prized possessions for these
families.
Stepping into the homes, I found it challenging to
understand how an entire family could live in one or two rooms, with almost no
modern amenities. Despite this, these
Indian families were not angry or bitter.
Thinking back to the morning in the classroom, I wondered
how children could manage so well in these two drastically different
worlds. The resiliency and determination
of these students to succeed is something very special. These children are not fighting for an edge
in the world, they are looking for a survival path. I found myself impressed beyond words with
how determined these children were to succeed.
I have no doubt that the work being done at Christel House
India is truly transformational.
Labels: Academy, Bangalore, Christel House India, India, visit, visitor
Monday, November 21, 2011
WRTV's "Living Generously" profiles Christel DeHaan
A great story from our friends at RTV6 (WRTV - Indianapolis) profiling
Christel House founder, Christel DeHaan, in their series about women in
Indianapolis who are "Living Generously."
Labels: Academy, Christel DeHaan, Christel House, Christel House Academy, Indianapolis, Living Generously, WRTV
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Local Artist helps Christel House Academy students create a work of art
Joani Rothenberg is an Indianapolis artist who helped Christel House Academy students create a mural during art camp this summer. More about the artist and her work can be found at
http://www.artbyjoani.com/ Joani writes:
After spending two weeks with the art camp at Christel House, Yael and I were left with many wonderful memories and a rekindled passion for working with children. We came to the school with paints, brushes, panels and several lesson plans. We left the hard work of content and design of the painting to the kids.
They were told about being commissioned by the Indianapolis Art Center for a large mural, and we were told that it needed to be completed in two weeks. After sharing pictures of how the children from other Christel House schools operate, they decided not only to have the mural feature all of the schools but also to join them by roads, sky and --- most importantly --- a shared passion for education.
The project opened their minds to how the WPA projects during the Great Depression are relevant to our lives today. They wanted to create a mural that brought hope and connection to their school. Every day the kids learned more and more how to work together. The first day we applied a coat of primer onto the boards. The students were well aware of how much painting time they were given.
The last day of painting I noticed that the kids learned how to respect the painting as a whole and were much more thoughtful and patient with adding their images. We were not only privileged to work with the children of the art camp but we were also honored to share the space with the art teacher, Gessica Mathis and Courtney. They were incredibly supportive of the project and helped us move quickly past the stumbling blocks and into a supportive and safe space that fostered creativity and balance throughout the entire two weeks. It was a true partnership.
During the dedication ceremony we were able to Skype with one of the schools from India. This experience allowed the children to communicate their ideas behind the mural and also state how it helped them build community and hope within the school setting. This experience reinforced the power of art to the campers as well as how appreciative the community at large is of their contribution.
Labels: Academy, art, Christel House, Indiana, Indiana artist, Joani Rothenberg, mural, summer, summer camp
Monday, June 20, 2011
Hop, Skip and JumpStart at Christel House Academy
Christel House Academy’s incoming kindergarteners are getting a head start for a successful first year of school thanks to a grant from the Junior League of Indianapolis. During the four-week JumpStart program, early childhood educators prepare students for the expectations of full-day Kindergarten.
“Many of our incoming children lack the skills needed to do kindergarten work,” says Principal Carey Dahncke. “This JumpStart gives them a solid foundation for learning.”
Each day, students identify and practice the alphabet and numbers up to 10, learn to write their first name, become familiar with simple shapes and colors and learn to successfully separate from their family members. Students receive breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack and also participate in recess and special offerings including Spanish, PE, music and art.
The Junior League of Indianapolis recently chose to focus their grants and volunteer efforts on improving reading skills in pre-school through elementary-age children. This grant is a part of that effort. “Our League members chose to focus on reading because we felt it would have an immediate and lasting impact in the lives of the children served, as well as the Indianapolis community,” said outgoing JLI President, Cece Gerdenich. “The Christel House Academy’s JumpStart program was a great fit for our new focus.”
Labels: Academy, Carey Dahncke, Cece Gerdenich, Christel House, education, Indiana, Indianapolis, JumpStart, Junior League, kindergarten, students
Friday, June 10, 2011
Christel House Academy 8th Graders Camptown
On May 9th through May 13th in Big South Fork, Tennessee, 24 Christel House students, four Christel House Academy staff members, and four Camptown staff members, enjoyed the annual four day backpacking and whitewater rafting trip.
Many of these children have not gone outside of the Indianapolis area, let alone their own neighborhoods. This trip allowed for them to see opportunities for themselves outside of their comfort zone, and to teach them how to work independently.
During the students’ fourth quarter, they learned how to provide and rely on themselves to survive in the wild. The training also provided safety tips, which students used throughout their time at Camptown.
Camptown staff worked with Mrs. Selle, a teacher at Christel House Academy, to set-up student training in the following areas: menu planning, packing, and trek trips (map reading). Camptown and Mrs. Selle also helped create a student journal for students to record their experiences and lessons they learned throughout the week.
Reflections were filled out daily that discussed different highlights, and how they could relate a specific skill that they learned at Camptown to their own home life. One Christel House student wrote,
“I was challenged by having to walk so far with the heavy bags and having to cook our own food. I accomplished a lot; I finished the walk and was able to cook my own food. I learned that not everything is easy. I learned that we need other people and those people need to be treated with respect.”
8th graders that remained at Christel House Academy for the week worked on planning their own imaginary road trip that was similar to Camptown. The imaginary trip gave students something to strive for once they finished their education at Christel House. This journey that students planned out for themselves shows them that opportunities exist beyond their backyard.
Labels: Academy, Camptown, Christel House
Friday, May 27, 2011
Braking the Cycle Ride
Watch Out! Christel House announces their third annual Braking the Cycle Ride beginning on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Christel House Academy. Right after check-in at Christel House Academy, riders will fuel up at with a breakfast at 8:15 a.m. Then, at 10:00 a.m., the group will depart on at 105-mile, police-escorted journey through Brown County, with a short fuel stop in Nashville, IN. Upon their return to the school, all participants will enjoy a hot lunch, scheduled for around noon.
Want to ride to support Christel House Students? Early Bird Registration is available at http://www.brakingthecycleride.org/register.html. Individual riders pay $25 and couples pay $40. Regular Registration will begin on September 1, 2011 at $35 per person and $50 per couple. All riders also receive a commemorative t-shirt.
There are also discounts in registration for large groups of six or more. Contact Laura Dodson at 317.464.2378 or ldodson@christelhouse.org to register for a reduced rate.
“Do you own a business? Consider one of our sponsorships like the Cruising Bike, which includes a company name on a T-shirt. Your company’s name and logo on website, and advertising. 4 event passes* (additional passes $25 each). Booth space to distribute promotional materials, with the option to provide an item for the take-away bag. For more information see sponsorship opportunities in our brochure. For more information or to become a sponsor, please contact Laura Dodson.
Labels: Academy, Braking the Cycle Ride, BTC Ride, Christel House, event, motorcycle ride, sponsor
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
History Comes Alive at Christel House Watanabe High School
Christel House Watanabe High School freshmen celebrated Black History Month by welcoming Dr. Kent Millard to the school. Millard, the Head Pastor of St. Luke’s Church in Indianapolis, spoke about his experiences with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the civil rights movement.
Christel House teacher, Christine Rush, opened the morning event by singing the first verse of the official African American National Hymn, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”.
Then Dr. Millard, who met Dr. King while attending college in Boston, shared how he was inspired by the civil rights leader. He spoke of joining Dr. King in a civil rights march in Alabama where only days before, people were killed by the Ku Klux Klan.
“Dr. King practiced and taught ‘non-violent resistance,’” said Dr. Millard. “Anyone can hit back,” he continued, “but it takes real courage not to respond.”
Dr. Millard challenged the students not to judge others. “We should all be able to sit at the table together, no matter what race, religion or color of skin,” he said.
At the conclusion of the morning, students presented Dr. Millard with a certificate of appreciation.
Labels: Academy, Black History Month, Christel House, guest speaker, students, Watanabe High School
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids at Christel House Academy
Keeping growing children in shoes is an expensive challenge---especially if you’re struggling to pay the bills every month. Thanks to our partners at Payless Shoe Source, the families of about eighty students at Christel House Academy don’t have to worry any more.
The Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids was established in 2009 to provide footwear to children who might otherwise go without. Since its inception, the program has partnered with over 800 charitable agencies across the entire United States, growing each year. “Unemployment is still very high, affecting many families that struggle to provide their children with basic essentials,” LuAnn Via, CEO of Payless, said. “With Christel House International’s help, we hope to make a bigger impact than ever this year.” Thanks Payless!
Labels: Academy, Christel House, Payless Shoesource, shoes, students
Monday, November 1, 2010
Quench Their Thirst: Christel House Student Fundraiser for Kiwanja, Tanzania
Over one billion people around the world don’t have access to fresh drinking water, according to Water for our World. Kiwanja, Tanzania, in eastern Africa, is one of many villages were residents must walk miles to the nearest water source, which is polluted with mercury. Tanzania is a war-torn country with few resources to improve the situation on its own.
The 9th grade class of Christel House Watanabe High School thinks something needs to be done about this. On November 4, 2010, at 6:30 pm, they are hosting a dinner in the Christel House Watanabe High School Gymnasium . They hope to raise $1900 for Water for Kiwanja, an organization building a well in the village. Tickets are $20 at the door, although the students ask you to RSVP to general@chacademy.org.
In addition to a hearty meal provided by Buca di Beppo, attendees will learn about the dire situation Kiwanja. Christel House students will also provide musical entertainment. This project has been a great learning experience for the students, as they have tackled a problem many adults choose to ignore.
We hope to see you on November 4th! For more information, check out the event Quench Their Thirst on
Facebook.
Labels: Academy, Christel House, fundraiser, Quench Their Thirst, students, Tanzania, Water, Water for Kiwanja, water well
Thursday, September 2, 2010
CHA Students Cheer on the Colts
Back-to-school signals the beginning of an important season in Indianapolis- Colts Football! RCI invited the
Christel House Academy 2009-2010 Students of the Month (and their families and teachers) to kick things off right at the pre-season Indianapolis Colts vs. San Francisco 49ers game on August 15, 2010. Nearly 180 students, teachers, and parents jumped at the chance. Everyone met at the Academy, and
RCI provided buses to the stadium, avoiding the stress of downtown traffic and parking.
The afternoon started off right with a tailgate party including lunch, face painting, Wii gaming stations and, of course, corn hole. Peyton Manning was a little busy that day, but the kids took many pictures with his cardboard cut-out. The Colts cheerleaders took a moment to pay a special visit to the party, getting the students excited to cheer on the blue and white.
As kickoff time neared, the whole group made their way into Lucas Oil Stadium. One of the teachers said it best, “It was a lot of ‘firsts’ for the students that were with me. It was the first time they had their face painted or had been to a football game, or rode an escalator. Sometimes we forget that our kids have had so few experiences outside of home and school.” The Colts may have lost, but all of the students went home winners. Thank you,
RCI!
Labels: Academy, Christel House, colts, event, extra curriculars, field trip, Group RCI, sports
Friday, August 20, 2010
What a Party! The Dedication of Christel House Watanabe High School
Christel DeHaan and the
Christel House Staff welcomed nearly 200 guests to the Christel House Watanabe High School Dedication Ceremony and Founder’s Reception on August 19th.
Carey Dahnke, Principal of Christel House Academy, presided as Master of Ceremonies for the occasion, highlighting the qualities that make Christel House unique. Frank Watanabe, son of the school’s namesake August “Gus” Watanabe, spoke of how this school is a fitting tribute to his father’s legacy as a teacher and mentor. Christel DeHaan, Ambassador Randall Tobias, and
Eli Lilly President/CEO Dr. John Lechleiter extended their thanks to all the donors, supporters, and committee members that made the high school a reality.
Although though classes just began last week, new Christel House 9th graders Alexis Pagano and Isaiah Sutton remarked on their experiences at the school and their dreams for the next four years. Several government officials also attended, drawn in by Christel House’s record of excellence in the State of Indiana. Mr. Todd Huston from the Indiana Department of Education and Mr. Karega Rausch, Director of Indianapolis Charter Schools, both spoke of the sensational success of the Christel House students and relayed messages from Governor Mitch Daniels and Mayor Greg Ballard.
Following the official ribbon cutting ceremony, guests enjoyed the annual Founder’s Reception in the high school’s Crossroads Café. Tours of the facility allowed guests to see classrooms, speak with teachers and view artwork from students attending the Christel House International learning centers.
Welcome to the family, Christel House Watanabe High School!
Inside Indiana Business News ReleaseLabels: Academy, Christel House, dedication, Eli Lilly, Watanabe High School
Thursday, August 12, 2010
8.9.10: A Day of Firsts at Christel House Academy
Christel House Academy opened its doors for the 2010-11 school year with an exciting new addition. The Christel House - Watanabe High School officially
opened for ninth grade students! Wide eyes and anticipation accompanied the students as they entered the building for breakfast in the new “Crossroads Café.” Students were greeted by staff members and welcomed into another year. The excitement of finding friends, comparing classes, and discussing all the important summer details were definitely the morning buzz in the café!
As the bell rang, students began to find their new class for the year. An element
ary child finished her breakfast, and saw her former teacher walk through the café. The student rushed to the teacher for a hug and you could sense the student’s enthusiasm for school, as she described what she was looking forward to in the upcoming year. Kindergarten students entering school for the first time were often accompanied by parents taking pictures of the big day! The welcoming and warm atmosphere of Christel House classrooms eased parents worries right away. A new parent told a staff member that her daughter was so excited for kindergarten that she did not want to take off her school uniform over the weekend!
A sense of pride was evident among the high school students as they became the first to enter Christel House - Watanabe High School. Eager ninth grade eyes looked from room to room, anxious to explore the amazing new building. The high school students’ pride was encouraged, as the staff talked to the students about the Expeditionary Learning Program, and how the students will help determine the culture of the school.
The 2010-11 school year is underway and off to a great start! We look forward to many exciting academic successes and new experiences throughout the year. Congrats CHA students for the beginning of another momentous year!
Labels: Academy, Christel House, education, students, Watanabe High School
Later that same day, I had the privilege to visit the
neighborhood of a few of these children.
Unlike children who typically attend private schools, these children did
not have parents with means who were searching for an edge in a competitive
world. These children and families came
from a tightly knit neighborhood with meager resources. By American standards, this was a desperate
neighborhood. In the US, visiting this
community would have been considered risky and dangerous. Dirt streets, communal toilets and showers,
over crowded homes; poorly constructed with no regard to any sort of
construction standards. Some of the
homes could best be described as quickly constructed shelters. Despite the extreme poverty, there was no
graffiti. There were no drunks or
druggies in the streets. No one yelled
or shouted profanity at us. I saw no
locks on the doors, but there seemed to be no evidence of crime. At times, it was hard to reconcile what I was
seeing. 
Thinking back to the morning in the classroom, I wondered
how children could manage so well in these two drastically different
worlds. The resiliency and determination
of these students to succeed is something very special. These children are not fighting for an edge
in the world, they are looking for a survival path. I found myself impressed beyond words with
how determined these children were to succeed.
Keeping growing children in shoes is an expensive challenge---especially if you’re struggling to pay the bills every month. Thanks to our partners at Payless Shoe Source, the families of about eighty students at Christel House Academy don’t have to worry any more. 
Over one billion people around the world don’t have access to fresh drinking water, according to Water for our World. Kiwanja, Tanzania, in eastern Africa, is one of many villages were residents must walk miles to the nearest water source, which is polluted with mercury. Tanzania is a war-torn country with few resources to improve the situation on its own. 
In addition to a hearty meal provided by Buca di Beppo, attendees will learn about the dire situation Kiwanja. Christel House students will also provide musical entertainment. This project has been a great learning experience for the students, as they have tackled a problem many adults choose to ignore. 
Following the official ribbon cutting ceremony, guests enjoyed the annual Founder’s Reception in the high school’s Crossroads Café. Tours of the facility allowed guests to see classrooms, speak with teachers and view artwork from students attending the Christel House International learning centers.
Christel House Academy opened its doors for the 2010-11 school year with an exciting new addition. The Christel House - Watanabe High School officially opened for ninth grade students! Wide eyes and anticipation accompanied the students as they entered the building for breakfast in the new “Crossroads Café.” Students were greeted by staff members and welcomed into another year. The excitement of finding friends, comparing classes, and discussing all the important summer details were definitely the morning buzz in the café!
As the bell rang, students began to find their new class for the year. An elementary child finished her breakfast, and saw her former teacher walk through the café. The student rushed to the teacher for a hug and you could sense the student’s enthusiasm for school, as she described what she was looking forward to in the upcoming year. Kindergarten students entering school for the first time were often accompanied by parents taking pictures of the big day! The welcoming and warm atmosphere of Christel House classrooms eased parents worries right away. A new parent told a staff member that her daughter was so excited for kindergarten that she did not want to take off her school uniform over the weekend!
The 2010-11 school year is underway and off to a great start! We look forward to many exciting academic successes and new experiences throughout the year. Congrats CHA students for the beginning of another momentous year!
