Overcoming Obstacles is BACK!

The annual “Overcoming Obstacles” event took place last month in a different way than in years past! Nine local school districts came together at three different schools across the region to learn from Erin Gurwell and original Freedom Writer Mauricio "Tony" Becerra about how “words have power and so do they”.

We are extremely proud to be a partner of this event, which emphasizes connection, hope and resilience, which are so important in a young person’s life as they work through many challenges and opportunities. To continue the momentum, many of the participating schools will be heading to Elevate CNY during the school year for a second portion of the Overcoming Obstacles experience where they will work on empowering team building exercises and more.

Thank you to Freedom Writers Foundation, John Acee and Utica National Insurance Group, our ICAN School Based and Training and Education teams, Westmoreland CSD Superintendent, Rocco Migliori, Dr. Patricia Kilburn and Kevin Healy from Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES and Commissioner Ashley Thompson and the Oneida County Department of Mental Health for helping to put together this amazing experience for our local students

For 20 years, the Freedom Writers Foundation has mitigated student dropout rates by reproducing the Freedom Writers’ experience in schools around the world. The Foundation’s mission is to provide educators with tools to empower all students to succeed.