Farewell 2021!

 Goodbye to the year 2021! So many amazing events. 

THE HOME 2022 Calendar of Children's Art

 My last mail package came in like every year! The Home for Little Wanderers 2022 Calendar of Children’s Art! You can order one too and enjoy a year of talented up-and-coming artists who will rule the world one day! www.thehome.org

Interested in ways YOU can get involved with THE HOME?

The Home for Little Wanderers

Although The Home for Little Wanderers began as an orphanage in 1799, today’s Home provides over 25 critical programs, including behavioral and mental health services, therapeutic residential care, family treatment and support, foster care and adoption, special education and programs for older youth aging out of the system.

This comprehensive breadth of support has its roots in five child welfare organizations: Boston Children’s Services, The New England Home for Little Wanderers, Parents’ and Children’s Services, Charles River Health Management and Wediko Children’s Services.

365 Days of FREEDOM!

 It was 365 days ago that I walked out the door and chose to free myself from an unsafe situation. It took strength to not go back and not continue to be mistreated by a partner who made a promise to love me. I am so grateful for the friends and others who helped me stay strong. It was difficult to realize that life would never get better until I left the patterns of a life that I needed to leave.  I will share more but today is that day that I celebrate the fact that I was able to escape an abusive relationship. I stayed over 900 hundred days too long. 

Final Reflective - Student

The Conclusion to my student's final reflective speech! -- Soo glad to see that my courses are helping students with their public speaking and communication skills. AND - it's really special to now be referred to as Dr. Sherri!
 

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

"Foster Youth Mentorship Programs in Higher Education" by Sherri Raftery - Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education in Higher Educational Leadership - November 29, 2021.  This was signed by my four dissertation committee members. 

I am super excited for this submission! Five-years -- A Labor of Love.  

Doctoral Dissertation Defense!

 

I passed my Doctoral Dissertation Defense "Foster Youth Mentorship Programs in Higher Education" on Monday November 29, 2021! It was such an amazing experience to be able to practice my defense at Toastmasters Clubs, receive supportive feedback, and questions to help me prepare. 

What was even more amazing is that Toastmasters members actually attended my defense as well. We gathered on ZOOM and had about 30 people in the "audience". 

I shared four stories from my autoethnographic chapter 2. My dissertation committee went into a "Breakout Room" to discuss if I passed. When they came back each asked me a question and offered more feedback. I was able to answer their questions. Then Dr. Aubry Threlkeld announced - "pending edits" I am officially Dr. Sherri Raftery. 

There are soooo many people to thank and I will post them SOON! What a labor of love writing this important subject about this important population!

HAPPY 54 BIRTHDAY 

KERRI KINCAID!

On August 18, 2021 I met my childhood best friend Kerry Kincaid from Revere, Massachusetts. This was a very important healing opportunity for both of us! I lived on North Shore Road from 2nd through 5th grade during the 1970's and spent many days and nights at Kerri's home and in our neighborhoods. 

Kerri Kincaid and Sherri Raftery at her father's parents home (her grandparents) in the backyard. They had a pool and we spent many days there. They were supportive and loving towards us. This photo was taken in the early 1970's. We are not sure which year but we definitely were younger! We shared many memories and shed a couple of tears. It was healing and we hope to continue meeting more often and staying in touch. We may even write a book or a made for TV movie. Some of our stories are actually pretty incredible, fascinating and perhaps almost even unbelievable. We both turned out well. She has  three lovely daughters and I have one. Let's see what the next few decades can help us discover.  

Sherri Raftery & Kerri Kincaid (Marshall) 

August 18, 2021 at Red's Kitchen in Peabody, Massachusetts. We both had the lunch plate Philly cheese steak and shared a piece of chocolate cake with a candle for her 54th birthday!

 Sherri Raftery & Kerry Kincaid

There is nothing better than having a best friend to call, see, lean on, and share what we are going through. Happy times, sad times. We shared an incredible bond that helped me to established lasting friendships and bonds during my life. I needed those bonds of stability during my unstable life. Thank you for being my friend and accepting me for who I was. I love you always and I always carried you in the locket of my heart. You helped make life easier in the most difficult of times. Hugs to you my friend. I am so proud of you. I am grateful to have known you when we were in our childhood years. I wished we could have stayed in touched over the decades, but the bond always lasted. Proud of you and I hope you enjoy your Birthday with many more to follow. 
Love your Best Friend Forever - Sherri