Oct. 11, 2006 — A unique form of community service conducted by the parents, teachers and students of Joseph Sibilly School shows that sometimes the simplest things, like a teddy bear for a young victim of domestic violence, can mean the world to a child.
"A lot of kids out there have been abused and neglected," Sibilly principal Dora Hill said Wednesday. "By donating these teddy bears, we're showing them that we feel their pain. It also teaches the students that what's happening in the community affects all of us."
According to Leslye Webb, the territory's victim advocate, the bears will be donated to the V.I. Police Department — along with organizations such as Kidscope Inc. and the Family Resource Center — to be given to children affected by domestic violence and other forms of abuse.
Webb said since the initiative started three weeks ago, many other programs, community members and schools have joined the charge, sending "boxes" of teddy bears to her office. "I actually have more than enough now," she joked at a presentation made at the school Wednesday. "We currently have about 150 bears, and I really hope I won't have to use them all this year."
Webb, along with Hill and Kidscope founder Dilsa Capdeville, said that the teddy bears make children feel more "comfortable" and allow them to "open up and talk about" their experiences with domestic violence or other forms of abuse.
"Child abuse, domestic violence and sexual abuse are problems that are plaguing the community, and we have to begin to address it at all levels," Capdeville said. "The school, for example, is where the referrals should come from. At the school, we have to create a comfortable, safe environment for children to open up about their problems, and talk to a counselor or a teacher about what's going on in their lives."
Webb added that collecting and donating teddy bears give students an outlet to discuss incidents of abuse with adults, or simply allow the students themselves to become more aware of problems other children are facing within the community.
"It's a small gift, but it means a lot," Webb said. "Giving a child something cute and cuddly to hold onto makes them feel more at home, and gives adults the opportunity to step in and assist."
At Sibilly, parents of students in kindergarten through the sixth grade each contributed $1 to the initiative, allowing the school to purchase 18 teddy bears, which were presented to Webb on Wednesday by a large group of student representatives.
"We wanted to teach the children that people from all walks of life are abused," Hill said. "And it's up to us to be compassionate and caring. This helps them to buy into the idea of helping other children."
"Plus, I really love teddy bears," she said.
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