Racing to Romania

Helping at-risk Romanian institutionalized children escape the cycles of poverty, dependency and abuse are just a few of the goals set forward in the New Opportunities for Romanian Children (NOROC) mission.

This mission inspired the students of Dr. Adam Peck's SFA Freshman Leadership Academy to get involved. Westminster Presbyterian Church will host the community for the first of their 2014 Wednesday Night Suppers: "Racing to Romania," Jan. 29, 2014.

The event includes a presentation by Peck, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs at SFA, and participating students (Leah Houser, Alyson Neeley, Morgan Pulliam, Jessica Taylor, Bethany Craft and Tory Schultz) discussing their upcoming trip to Romania.

The Wednesday Night Supper lecture series is a no-hassle dinner event dedicated to fellowship and learning more about member work in the Nacogdoches community. Dinners start at 5:30 p.m. and the recommended donation is $5/plate. Donations to support the trip will also be graciously accepted.

Nursery and children's activities are available for attendees, call 936-564-0203 to request complimentary child care for the event.

"This project was a real eye-opening experience for our students. They learned how hard life can be for these children in Romania and how without intervention many end up in life-long poverty or even being sold into human trafficking," Peck said.

Freshman Leadership Academy is a SFA 101 course that was created to help first-year students transition into the college setting and learn the principles of leadership. The overall course goal is to prepare a first-year student to be a successful leader in and beyond SFA. Members of the Fall 2013 class adopted the NOROC mission as a cause worth funding. The group raised more than $2,500 through their Glo Run Nac event and have a second run planned for Mar. 29.

When international adoptions closed in Romania, NOROC volunteers responded to the needs of institutionalized children in Tulcea County, a diverse county on the Ukraine border. Founded in 1994, the organization seeks to expand and deepen programs for children of all ages that have grown to include psychological and speech therapy, small groups, camps, medical interventions, life and job skills training, horse therapy, excursions and holiday events.