Girls and Boys Town of New York
A Taste of Soul
The Marolla Place Center for Girls prepares a delicious meal and present essays to Boys Town staff.
On March 27, Boys Town staff members assisted the residents of the Marolla Place Intervention and Assessment Home in organizing a special night to celebrate Women’s History Month and Black History Month.
Three women from the organization’s administrative offices traveled from New York’s Park Avenue South in a show of support. They were greeted warmly by the Marolla girls, who were hard at work preparing for the evening. The girls then took their special guests on a tour.
“We immediately noticed how their distinct personalities were reflected in their individual room decorations,” remarked Shelly Godfrey, Boys Town New York Human Resources Specialist. “The walls were illuminated with bright colors, a beautiful spectrum of greens, pinks, yellows and oranges.”
When the tour ended, the staff joined the girls for an amazing “Taste of Soul” dinner. They feasted on ribs, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and a special red velvet cake prepared by Angela Thrasher, Marolla Place Shift Supervisor.
Following the meal, each girl presented an essay on some of history’s greatest women, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton.
“Although they displayed some nerves at the outset,” said Godfrey, “they really worked together as a team and helped each other cover the materials to overcome their anxiety. The staff was spontaneously encouraging and supportive.”
The young women at Marolla are acquiring more than just daily skills; they are learning how to be independent, strong, supportive and generous adults. Summer Wilson, Boys Town New York Business Office Assistant, said “They made me feel proud to be a woman.”
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