Teachers' own lives changed by LaSalle

"It was tough," he said. "It was hard not having anything to eat, and I had a problem finding showers."

After being discovered by the police, Mr. MacDonald entered the "system" and found himself shuffled from group home to group home.

Finding a home

Founded in 1854 by the Brothers of Christian Schools as a boys orphanage, LaSalle School now assists boys between 11 and 18 who are referred by county social service agencies, school district committees of special education, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the Family Court system.

Having spent his life up until that point hanging out with the same group of kids and not venturing further than the Bronx, "I thought Albany was cow country," Mr. McDonald said.

But coming to LaSalle marked a turning point for the troubled youth. "I knew from that day that it was all on my shoulders," he said.

Turn-around

"A lot of our kids are hardcore street kids," he said. "They say, 'You don't know what it's like." I tell them that I was there for five years."

The difference between the kids he worked with and himself is that he had the opportunity to stay at LaSalle longer than they can.

"Back then, your term could be longer," he explained. "It took me a year before I opened up. Now the kids are back home after six months. I think the system should hold on to them longer. They're going back to the same family and the same friends."

Changing life

After five years at LaSalle, Mr. MacDonald was able to get a full-time job in the shipping and receiving department at Spector's clothing store. A few years later, he began to work at LaSalle part time. Eventually, he decided working at LaSalle full time was his calling.

Now he works side by side with some of the same LaSalle employees who assisted him when he was a troubled teen.

Reaching kids

While society may see youth in such programs as troublemakers and future criminals, Mr. MacDonald sees them differently. "We need to give them a chance," he said. "Everyone makes mistakes. A lot of these kids are victims or come from non-Brady Bunch families."

He describes LaSalle as "a place of healing where kids get a little help. A lot of these kids just need someone to talk to."

Family life

As the stepfather of two, he finds himself incorporating some of the child-rearing techniques learned at LaSalle.

"My stepkids are 21 and 17," he said. "Working at LaSalle helped me a bit, especially as they've gotten older and their problems are bigger."

Success story

Mr. Fiaschetti and his twin brother were made wards of the state when their mother, suffering from multiple sclerosis, was no longer able to care for them. The twins came to LaSalle in 1967 when they were 12.

Mr. Fiaschetti said that he couldn't imagine his life without LaSalle. "I wouldn't change a day in my life except for getting my mother help," he said. "The Lord works in mysterious ways."

Making a difference

After graduating from high school, he left LaSalle and took college courses. In 1978, he returned to give back what had been given to him. He has been employed at LaSalle ever since.

During his tenure, he has watched the buildings that house LaSalle change through renovations and additions. He has also seen the negative effects of cultural changes on society's most vulnerable youth. The one constant has been LaSalle.

"The philosophy and the spirit of St. John the Baptist de LaSalle has remained throughout the years," he said.

Troubled youth

"They have the need and want for trusting adults, structure and three squares a day," he said. "All kids want structure and security. A lot of these kids haven't had any breaks. They've been sexually abused, physically abused, and live in bad environments. They are still children, and they can get back on track."

Mr. Fiaschetti would like more people to understand what happens at LaSalle. Often, he said, people are afraid of the youth. "People think that they're bad boys," he said.

He would like people to know that the boys are trying to get their lives on track. "We are a caring and healing agent for children," he said. "A lot of good goes on here."

Bringing it home

"When I look at Patrick, I know what his needs and his wants are," he said. "I love him, am there for him, and recognize his need to hear and be heard."

Although Mr. Fiaschetti works in a field that has a high rate of burn-out, he can't imagine working anywhere else. His faith, he said, sustains him, and he tries to leave his problems at work rather than bringing them home.

Each day, Mr. Fiaschetti looks forward to going to work. He explained, "I enjoy the kids. I need them as much as they need me."

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