The event began with snacks and fellowship shared between VIP members, the Giddings youth student council, and Giddings State School staff. Aside from the many smiles shared between attendees, a wonderful program was held outdoors at the flagpole, which highlighted the true essence of the event.
Giddings Superintendent Jorge Gonzalez declared April 2-9 Victim Impact Week and members of the student council shared their favorite quotes of healing and forgiveness. The event wrapped up with a balloon release in which youth, staff, and volunteers alike wrote messages of love, remembrance, and healing on their balloons in hopes of bringing a small measure of comfort to themselves and those around them.
Monday was a day of sharing as VIP volunteers toured the campus to speak to youth on the dorms. Event coordinator Destany Carter said, “The youth heard from the presenters about their life experiences. This often times gets the youth to thinking about what they have done, whom they have hurt, and the reason they will make a different decision from here on out.”
Panel volunteers were treated to a catered barbeque lunch in appreciation of their hard work and dedication in sharing their stories with the youth and staff at Giddings State School.