Vernon Banks from Bishop Kearney was our first presenter.  Vernon wears many hats:  Director of Work Study program, Leadership/Ethics Teacher, and Director of Student Retention & Support.  The work study program allows students the opportunity to work to offset tuition.  Several local companies participate where students spend 4 hours per week learning a trade.  The school spent significant money updating its 3rd floor to serve as a home for elite hockey players who also attend the school.  In 2015, the girls hockey program started and now has 60-70 girls participating.  The boys program is just starting in 2020 but they plan to have 80 boys by next year.  These are elite athletes and the teams are very accomplished.   Several players will play in the Olympics.  The program has helped diversify the school as these student athletes are from around the country and world.  Vernon can be reached at vbanks@bkhs.org or his office number is 585-342-4000 x245.    See Vernon's presentation on Work Study Program & a link to info on the Hockey Program.

Officer Lawton from the Irondequoit Police Department (IPD) reviewed the current situation with the Shop with A Cop program.  Up until this year, IPD took advantage of a Target grant that funded this program that provided $100 gift certificate to 20-30 Irondequoit Students that are selected by the school districts.  This year Target changed their grant to be solely for 501(c)3 non-profits.  Because IPD did not satisfy this requirement, the grant is not available this year.  Because it is such a worthwhile cause that supports both IPD and the local community, our club stepped up and voted to fund the entire program for 20 students!