Maya McFadden Photo
Yale and New Haven cops got together with street outreach workers to give Laberta Brunso, (above right in photo) an early Christmas meal and presents for her sons.
Andrew Brunson and Ahmad Brunson received two brand new bikes at the small celebration Friday night at the Yale police department’s Lock Street outpost.
Around November, city street outreach worker Douglas Bethea (wearing cap in top photo) said he and Andrew made an arrangement for him to work to do better in school and act out less.
“If you improve your ways in school, we’ll take care of you for Christmas,” Bethea had told Andrew.
Bethea made good on the promise to the Brunson and the Jackson family (pictured) with the help of Yale police, New Haven Police Department, Prince Hall Masons, Juvenile Probation services, with a holiday pizza party offering food and gift donations for the low-income families.
From the pizza to the bikes, Bethea and the sponsors worked to offer the two families things they aren’t able to get daily.
Laberta watched as her two oldest boys received their bikes. With her youngest in her arms, Cedric Woolard, she almost shed tears she said.
“This is all so beautiful. I really appreciate the help. I always get so stressed during the holidays because I want my boys to have good Christmas memories,” she said.
Laberta had worried her boys weren’t going to get anything this Christmas.
Andrew, who is 13, joined his family at the event not sure what to expect. The two boys said that they thought the event was only going to be a speech about why they should be well behaved.
“The bikes are great. I’m happy because my mom brought us and is smiling,” said 10-year-old Ahmad.
New Haven Assistant Police Chief Karl Jacobson (at left in photo) joined the celebration.
“It’s our job to be there for these families so they don’t have to see police only at bad times,” Jacobson said.
Jacobson worked with the Criminal Intelligence Unit and the Community & Police Relations Task Force to donate the funds for the families’ turkey dinners. Yale Lt. Keith Pullen (at right in photo) worked with Bethea to organize the Yale collaboration to help the families.
Laura Roblee, principal at Brennan-Rogers School, attended to support her students and their turnarounds in school. Karissa Stolsman, assistant principal at Brennan-Rogers, joined Roblee.