Summer Break Research Paper

I am a fourteen-year-old, small-town girl during the year of 1961. It is only spring in the town of Johnson, North Carolina, and already my summer vacation plans were crumbling. There are only a couple weeks left until school is concluded for the year, and it seems as if summer break cannot get here fast enough. Because I will be trapped in the house for three months, I should not care whether there is a summer break or not. I need something to look forward to this summer; I need excitement and a feeling of anticipation. Everyone else in my class has already arranged their vacations; everyone desires a break from this weary little town. I have a younger brother who is constantly getting on my nerves. A young boy of only eight years old, finds

After speeding by us one last time, they threw their drinks at us and called me a “nigger lover,” but worst of all, they made racist remarks towards my new best friend, whom I have become to love. Minds racing in disbelief, we walked home in muteness. Tears cascading down her cheeks as if the pain from her broken heart was pouring from her eyes as its only exit. We still hung out after the incident, and it seemed to me as if nothing had ever happened. One Wednesday afternoon, after preparing lunch for my brother, I had to check the mail. After returning inside, I threw the expected junk mail and bills on the desk beside the front door when a colorful, hand-made letter caught my eye. It reads, “You nasty, sick nigger lover!” Reading it over and over in disbelief, needing to talk to an adult; I ran to Alicia's house. “Bang, bang, bang,” I forcefully pounded on the wooden front door with my fist clenched tightly. As her mama opened the door, she was already responding to my unsolicited visit, “Alicia ain't home right now. I think she walked to the park about 12:30.” Running as fast as I could have, I had a gut wrenching feeling that my friend was in trouble. As I approached the hill to view the picnic tables where we always sat, my fears became reality. Boys of much bigger size than either one of us girls

We not only have counseling and group sessions, but can now award different types of scholarships, offer child care, help find jobs, and can help one achieve a high school diploma. Some eligible recipients may qualify for assistance with utility bills, food benefits, and can visit our recently opened Good Will closet. Today is a special day. On this day we are celebrating our third year open to the community. Every year on July 28th, 1961, we have an open house for the citizens of Johnson and surrounding areas. Not only to celebrate our opening, but to utilize this day as a way to advertise and promote our business. Although we assist someone new every day, there still may be someone in the city who still have not found their way to us or is just too scared to ask for help. What Alicia went through was physical and mental abuse. If we had not been brave enough to speak up when we did, I could be standing here alone or not standing in this building at all. Imagine all the other woman struggling with abuse on a daily, but cannot find a way out. Because we utilized our bad experience instead of using it as a crutch, we all have helped thousands of families. As Alicia and I were chatting away behind the customer service counter a familiar face walked through the door. He did not look the way I once remembered, and as I glanced to my left I could see Alicia shrivel. I had a feeling her mind was wondering back to that horrible, yet