RICA

Before spring break, I had the pleasure to going to the school that we are hosting for our Apple project, the Residential Institution for Childhood Adolescents, RICA. RICA is a school for children who suffer from severe emotional trauma from a previous event. Each of the 80 students enrolled have a personal clinician that is there for counseling and guidance. I went with Katie Cano, and she introduced me to the head advisor of RICA, Ms. Kathy Kelly. Ms. Kelly told us the stories and obstacles that are faced by her students. Some were survivors of human trafficking or lost their parents in a very short period of time. The emotional trauma from these experiences has disrupted their education and as put them at a severe disadvantage. Hearing the stories about the student of RICA, makes you think how lucky one has to be in a stable environment I look forward to this project and learning more about kids like the students at RICA.