Georgia Bulletin

The Newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta

  • Sister of the Good Shepherd Christine Truong My Hanh, executive director of Good Shepherd Services, reads the thank you notes from summer program attendees on July 12, the last day of the program. She was also presented with a bouquet of flowers. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Eight-year-old Hayden Truong plays a game of foosball with a friend before morning class gets underway. The class included reading and math. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Sophia Tang, 10, reads the Michelle Bates book, Racing Vacation, during the morning class. The summer program participants were required to read a book and then do a summary and book report. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • In the classroom of younger summer program participants (clockwise from right) instructor Damien Cuen works with six-year-old Danny Du, seven-year-old Tan Le, and six-year-old Jonatin Tang. Photo By Michael Alexander
  • Six-year-old Jonatin Tang glances away from his educational worksheet as seven-year-old Tan Le looks over his material in the background. Photo By Michael Alexander

Sister of the Good Shepherd Christine Truong My Hanh, executive director of Good Shepherd Services, reads the thank you notes from summer program attendees on July 12, the last day of the program. She was also presented with a bouquet of flowers. Photo By Michael Alexander

Chamblee

Good Shepherd Sister Offers Guiding Hand To Youth

By MICHAEL ALEXANDER, Staff Photographer | Published August 2, 2012

For nearly 20 years Good Shepherd Services’ summer program for youth has been a vital part of the services provided by the community-based charity.

Ten-year-old Nancy Bui shows off the hot air balloon and visor she made in the arts and crafts class, June 27. Photo By Michael Alexander

“I value the importance of the program because it speaks to the mission of Good Shepherd Services and my order, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd,” said Sister Christine Truong My Hanh, Good Shepherd Services’ executive director.

This year’s summer session found 18 youths of elementary school age participating in a variety of activities that included reading books and writing book reports, working on math problems, creating arts and crafts projects, and taking field trips to local parks, the fire station and the World of Coca-Cola. The students also learned from various speakers who came by to introduce new ideas, such as a nutrition specialist who offered ideas and education about healthy eating.

“The first year my parents made me come, I thought it would be boring, but it was fun, so I came back,” said Tanya Du. This was Tanya’s fourth year, and her older sister Teresa served in a volunteer capacity this summer.

The summer program began on June 11 and ended on July 12. On the last day the participants were treated to a closing party, where they presented flowers and handcrafted thank you notes to Sister Christine with heartfelt expressions of love and warmth for the Good Shepherd sister and her ministry on their behalf.