Letters From You

Sometimes the best endorsements of what we are doing and its effect on kids today is hearing from them in their own words. Here is a small sampling of letters I have received from both students and staff from local high schools.

An 8th Grader

I am happy that you came to our school to talk to us. Now, because I know the price I might have to pay for getting drunk, I won't be as tempted by alcohol. I am really sorry about what happened to you and your friends, that you had to go through such an awful time. What you told us really moved me. Thank you for telling us about a big mistake we might make, and sharing your mistake and experiences with us today. I'll always remember your talk to us and look back on it if people offer me a drink. That I can promise you!

10th Graders

A group of eager sophomores, overtaken by cold and boredom, listened all day to elders recite the effects of drugs to us. I really wasn't paying much attention until you were introduced to us. It was different. It was a man whose voice had been affected by the combination of drinking and driving. As we sat and listened, a few of us were getting watery eyes because your story affected us all. Now when we're faced with the decision of taking a drink or doing drugs when they are offered to us, we will be reminded of what can happen and how alcohol can permanently change our lives as it did yours. Thank you for coming. You definitely made a difference!

I'll never forget Sophomore Awareness and the way I felt when you spoke. When I looked at the pictures of what was left of your car, and the pictures of your friends who had died as a result of drinking and driving, I couldn't help but feel sorrow. I wanted to do something but there was nothing I could do for them. As I listened to you sing I then realized you WERE doing something to help prevent this alcoholic sickness and I didn't feel so helpless anymore. Because you are doing something to help, something I could never do if I were in your shoes, and because you have the guts to share your story and your permanent handicaps with us too, I want you to know that you are helping to save lives today. Thanks for letting us know how your mistakes changed your life. I'll always remember it.

Thank you so much for coming to talk to us. It really hit home for me when you brought up the girl that got killed in the head-on collision because my cousin was killed in a head-on collision when he got in the car with his friend who was drunk. He was only 17 :/ He would've been 19 in June. He was one of the most amazing people, everyone knew him and he was gonna be accepted to a university when he graduated from football. He was a sweetheart and cared about everyone, but unfortunately, he made a bad choice. I want to thank you for coming because it's a constant reminder. I know with my family's background and amazing people, like yourself, that things do happen if u make a bad choice. I can't thank you enough, and I am sorry that you had to go through the pain and suffering that you did, but it helps now. I can't wait for my brother to see you next year, hopefully, he'll learn so that I don't ever have to worry about losing him because of dumb choices.

Thanks again so much.

Staff Members

Letter From
Peter M. Jean
Alvirne High School

Dear Bob,
I would like to take the opportunity to express my most sincere gratitude to you for coming in to speak to our classes regarding your personal experience with alcohol, chemical dependency and DWI. It’s one thing to be a health teacher and try to discuss the issues that surround the use, misuse and abuse of alcohol, but it is another thing to have someone who can speak from personal experience. We try very hard to encourage our students to make positive decisions during their lives, however, kids sometimes just don’t listen to logic and reason. Your presentation gave them a life experience that they couldn’t just blow off. It was real and they knew it.

I also want you to know that I truly admire your courage for coming forward and opening up the way you did. You have a very nice manner with teens, and it is easy to see why our students take to you every semester. Your character speaks volumes with the honesty and integrity that you present.

It was our pleasure to have you once again as a guest in our classes. I hope that you would give consideration to returning again in the future. It is always nice to have guest speakers to break up the monotony of everyday school life, but especially nice to have someone with such a positive and appropriate message as yours.

Thank you once again,
Peter M. Jean

January 13, 2003

To Whom it May Concern:
It is my privilege to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of Bob Lapete. Bob has been the kick-off to our 8th-grade junior high drug and alcohol program for the past four years. What he has to offer is inspiring and touching. Bob's connection with the students is powerful.

His genuine concern and meaningful message make a difference to the young people (and to the older ones there as well). Bob personalizes his message by writing a poem for each of the schools he visits. His courage and inspiration are not only admirable but life-changing. I highly recommend Bob Lapete as a speaker and his SCAR program to all schools.

Sincerely,
Janis Johnson

Substance Abuse Counselor

Dear Mr. Lapete,
Thank you very much for coming to Dirigo Place and educating our community on such vital information. As you know we are a group home that works with adolescents who often have alcohol and/or chemical-related dependency issues and your story is so important for them to hear.

We are all appreciative of the fact that we have had the opportunity to meet you and to see the work you do and all the benefits you provide your audience.

Thank you again for sharing your personal story with us.

Kristen Fortin
Ass. Director Dirigo Place
98 Russell St.
Lewiston, Me. 04240

Story of tragedy, redemption should be heard by all

To the editor:
On Friday, May 6, 2005, as a representative of the Brighter Days Foundation, I attended a presentation at Gorham High School. The speaker was a gentleman named Robert "Bob" Lapete, Founder of Second Chance and Recovery, Inc. (SCAR). It is my understanding that Bob grew up in Berlin. His story, as he tells it, is of his own youth, the choices he made to drink and drive, and the resulting consequences.

As he opens his presentation, he is quick to point out that he, "sounds like a drunk" when he speaks (due to brain damage). His face and body are noticeably damaged as he moves across the stage, telling his story. Yet he presents his program with such grace, humor, and heart that he manages, without a doubt, to make a lasting impression on every single young man and woman in that high school audience. Their silent focus, the laughter at the perfect times, and applause throughout and at the end of the presentation showed how moved these students were by what he had to say, and how he presented it. His story of tragedy moves on to a testament to the human spirit and of redemption.

I can't remember when I have ever been so moved. He held an entire audience of 200 students completely mesmerized by his story of tragedy and recovery. One could hear a pin drop, and I was sitting in the bleachers among all of the students. I did not see or hear a "snicker", a "sneer" or a negative comment of any kind. This presentation viewed one day before their high school prom may well save the lives of more than one young person on prom night.

I feel blessed to have been a part of such a profound day in the lives of these young people, and I believe every parent and child should spend one hour of their lives listening to Bob tell his story, and the sooner, the better.

Barbara L. Martin
Conway NH

June 12, 2005

Bob Lapete was an incredible hit in Maine several weeks ago. He came to Central Maine with his program, Second Chance And Recovery, and spoke at four high schools over a four-day period. Bob reached almost 2500 students in assemblies and in small group discussions.

He connected well with our student populations, because his story was genuine and felt in the heart. Sadly, it was also an emotional four days for many students and adults who had lost friends and loved ones in alcohol-related auto accidents in the last two years. We knew he connected when several male students came down from the bleachers and gave him hugs of thanks.

The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive in their verbal and written comments. One student wrote" He really made people think about stuff. A lot of people cried and I think that he really got the message through to most of us." A 15 year old girl wrote " I had a 7 year old cousin that was killed in a drinking and driving accident and this presentation really got to me. Thank you."

After the larger assemblies, Bob met with students in health classes, or in other small focus groups. Some students asked to meet with him privately to talk about their feelings and the impact of his talk, and he was happy to accommodate them.

In my roll as the Substance Abuse Service counselor in the four high schools, I have endeavored to put on effective prevention and education programs, especially during the prom and graduation seasons. Bob Lapete's SCAR program is the best program I have used. Bob made himself totally available to me and these schools for four days, and several principals reflected that this was the best-spent money on risk and substance prevention programs that they have seen in recent years.

He speaks with honesty, integrity and humor, and I feel comfortable recommending him to any school, community or organization who is vested in reducing risk and harm found in substance use.

Sincerely
Gerard L. Pepin

Clinical Director

Contact Us: 603-986-8527

http://scarweb.org

Letters From You

An 8th Grader

10th Graders

Staff Members