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HomeFeaturesPhotofeature: Lassen Family Services' 2022 Walk A Mile Event

Photofeature: Lassen Family Services’ 2022 Walk A Mile Event

A SusanvilleStuff Photofeature
by Marshel Couso and Jeremy Couso

Lassen Family Service’s annual Walk a Mile in Their Shoes event returned to Susanville’s Memorial Park for this year’s iteration, held April 30th, and it was a huge success for the organization with hundreds of participants joining together for the fundraiser.

April is both Child Abuse Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Walk A Mile gathering is meant to start a conversation in the community about both issues.

“The purpose of Walk A Mile is to inform the community of the prevalence of sexual assault and child abuse and provide information on the support services offered in Lassen County,” explains LFS spokesperson Kendra Zaengle. “We walk to show our support and raise awareness.”

Lassen Family Services hosts this event each year during the month of April and at the end of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

Money raised by the walk goes directly to LFS’s Child Trauma Therapy program that provides therapy to children ages 3-18 who have gone through or witnessed traumatic events.

This year’s speakers included LFS Executive Director Angela Reed, SIR Tribal Preservation Officer Joe Strang, Lassen County D.A. Melyssah Rios, Susanville Mayor Mendy Schuster and Child Trauma Therapist Peggy Vaquera.

Cary Erlich, a long-time Janesville School teacher, was awarded the annual Empathy in Education award. She is a TK-Kindergarten teacher at the school, where she has worked for the past 16 years.

“Those who know her say that it is her character, compassion, and drive that makes her shine,” Vaquera said in her introduction of this year’s honoree.

“Mrs. Ehrlich believes in her students and cares deeply for each of them. For many children, she is the first leader in education that they are exposed to, and she builds the foundation of their education! Beyond the state curriculum, she teaches her students compassion, respect, and empathy for others.”

Vaquera also lauded Ehrlich for the way she collaborates with parents, counselors, and administrators to promote and bring forward the best in every student.

“She is sensitive to her student’s family’s needs and takes the time to listen to the parents’ struggles. She even helps the students’ families overcome obstacles. She is constantly looking for ways to give back to her community.”

In addition to teaching Ehrlich donates her time at athletic tournaments, took charge of Janesville student counsel and organizes the afterschool band program.

“Mrs. Ehrlich is truly the face of Empathy in Education!”

Chelsea Chapin, from McKinley Elementary, was also honored by the organization for going above and beyond to support her student’s therapeutic needs.

“This teacher [Chapin -Ed.] supports her student by taking time during the school day each week to facilitate and accompany her student’s online counseling sessions,” said Vaquera. “This teacher even collaborates with the therapist to meet the specific therapeutic needs of the student.”

After the presentations, a group of nearly 100 participants walked En masse from the park, down Weatherlow Street to Main Street where they turned eastward until they reached Grand Avenue and headed back to the park.

LFS Executive Director Angela Reed
SIR Tribal Historical Preservation Officer Joe Strang and his daughter Gabriella
Lassen County D.A. Melyssah Rios
Susanville Mayor Mendy Schuster reads the City Council’s proclamation.
Peggy Vaquera and Laura Kimball from the Child Trauma Therapy Program.
Chelsea Chapin from McKinley School receives her award.
Cary Elrich, Kindergarten teacher at Janesville School, was awarded the Empathy in Teaching award.

Jeremy Couso
Jeremy Couso
SusanvilleStuff.com Publisher/Editor
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