Eastminster School Helps a Family Overcome Crisis

Jan. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- Alicyn Mabry had isolated herself  after severe schoolyard bullying. Her mother, Annise Mabry, who was facing recently diagnosed medical issues and other family problems, sought the help of her community. Alicyn’s story is told on “Trouble Next Door” in an upcoming episode, “Overcoming Bullies,” airing January 27th at 3 p.m. ET on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

"Trouble Next Door" features families with problems ranging from strained relationships, to out of control teens, to insurmountable financial woes. The series portrays communities uniting to help families in need.  In the episode “Overcoming Bullies,” Annise seeks the help of her neighbors and finds her community willing to give of themselves and be part of the solution. Neighbor Laura French, a former board member of Eastminster School, recalls feeling strongly that she and her family could help Alicyn and her brother, Niles. “For us, it was unacceptable to know a child, a young woman, was withdrawn from society. When we learned of the multiple issues Annise and her family were confronting, we gladly agreed to help. Whether Eastminster School would provide the solution for Alicyn or not, our family was determined to use our personal and professional resources to step in and help this family where and how we could.”

“Eastminster School has zero tolerance for bullying and an environment that nurtures each individual student,” says Roy Alexander, Headmaster of Eastminster School. “After our administration and faculty met with Alicyn, they saw a bright and articulate young lady in need of a safe haven and a challenging learning environment where she could grow and flourish. Helping individuals like Alicyn is exactly why I am in the field of education. Eastminster School is pleased and honored to have been able to provide her and her family a refuge and become part of the solution to their crisis.”