Teaching Life Lessons

For nearly forty years Willow Valley Retirement Communities, Lancaster PA, Resident Warner Strube taught high school chemistry, making significant contributions to the academic lives of his students.  As a volunteer with the Lancaster Area Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (LAVORP), Warner is using his extensive experience working with teenagers to teach juvenile offenders life lessons about accountability and responsibility.  “When we first moved to Willow Valley, I knew it would be difficult to retire and not do anything, and I was looking to volunteer in an area where I felt I could make a contribution. A church bulletin had a list of volunteer agencies that needed help,” says Warner. “All my life, I’ve worked with children in the academic area, and here was a chance to work in a non-academic area. I decided to volunteer because I thought I could relate well to kids. I was 68 when I started, and I’ve been doing this for nearly eight years now.” LAVORP is a faith based, non-profit organization based on the concept of restorative justice. The organization, which works hand-in-hand with the Juvenile Justice system, provides opportunities
for victims to meet face-to-face with juvenile offenders. The offenders accept responsibility for and learn the impact of their actions and make amends to their victims. Victims have an opportunity to tell their story as part of the healing process and have their needs met.  As a volunteer facilitator, Warner plays a critical role in bringing the victims and offenders together.

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