Last July, Rebecca Kudelka, a volunteer for the Center for Human Development (CHD), wondered if the Majestic Theater in West Springfield would be interested in providing some discount tickets to CHD foster children and their families for the production of “Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.”
The theater responded by donating 75 tickets to the program that Kudelka volunteers for, CHD’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Hampden County, whose volunteers advocate in the legal system for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
“I was floored—I was looking for a discount, and they gave me 75 tickets!” said Kudelka. All 75 tickets were given to staff and individuals served in CHD’s Children and Families unit, which includes the agency’s Foster Care program, and the 75 recipients attended an August matinee showing of “Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr.”
The production is based on “Schoolhouse Rock,” the Emmy Award-winning 1970s and 1980s Saturday morning cartoon series that taught history, grammar, science, math, and civics with such catchy songs as “Conjunction Junction” and “I’m Just a Bill.” Middle-aged adults grew up on “Schoolhouse Rock,” but “Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr.” also translated well to a younger generation at the Majestic.
“It was well received—everyone had a great time,” said Box Office Manager Katia Ball. “We were so happy to have them. Our treasurer, Todd Kadis, and I talked it over, and we’d love to do this again with CHD.”
CHD’s CASA program is seeking new volunteers to serve as advocates for children in need in the community—many of whom are in foster care. Program staff will host virtual informational sessions on the following Wednesdays in September to help prospective volunteers learn more about the role in advance of the program’s next round of training in the fall.
- Wednesday, September 7, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 14, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 21, 7 p.m.
More information at https://bit.ly/CHDcasaInfo.