> About LH >> News

Anya Gilles: Lots of love to go around

Posted on Dec 12, 2007

The Advocate, Nov. 4, 2007 (Used with permission)
©2007 Southern Conn. Newspapers, Inc.
By Moina Noor, Special Correspondent

Photo by Kathleen O’Rourke

Ccommunity leader of the year 2007 - Norwalk

On a recent Wednesday evening, Anya Gilles is feeding a baby a bottle and changing another baby's diaper, while being followed around by an admiring toddler. Gilles, 17, spends three nights a week babysitting children at Malta House, a nonprofit organization in Norwalk that provides shelter and support services to new mothers and their children who have nowhere to go. Malta House shelters 10 women and their children for up to 18 months, until the mother is financially independent.

Last summer, Gilles - Norwalk's Teenage Community Leader of the Year - spent almost every day at Malta House. She'd often walk from her house in South Norwalk to the East Norwalk residence to take care of children while their mothers were at work or school. "Malta House became my second home," says Gilles.

The senior at Lauralton Hall, a Catholic all-girls school in Milford, began volunteering at Malta House two years ago. Lauralton Hall has a community service requirement; Gilles chose to volunteer at Malta House because of its proximity to her home and because she likes kids. The service requirement quickly became a passion, however.

"I started volunteering here because I had to, but it has become so much about these women and kids. The women are working so hard to better their lives. And I just love taking care of their kids. They are like my little brothers and sisters," says Gilles, an only child, whose computer screensaver is a slide show of the children at Malta House.

Kareen Stephenson, a 23-year-old Malta House resident, works nights and weekends at a clothing store. Gilles often takes care of Stephenson's 16-month-old daughter, Jullisa. "Jullisa looks forward to seeing Anya and doesn't fuss with her. Anya is warm-hearted. We sit and talk. She gives me advice, even though she's younger than me."

In a year and a half, she has volunteered more than 200 hours at Malta House. For Volunteer Coordinator Rosemarie Albertson, Gilles has become an asset because she is responsible and reliable. "The staff and the women here depend on her," says Albertson.

Outside of Malta House, Gilles is very busy. At school, she participates in Youth and Government where she learns the basics of debate, bill writing and basic parliamentary procedure in preparation for a youth mock legislature in Hartford. She's on the varsity cheerleading team, which is more like a competitive dance team, and a member of the ballroom dance club.

Outside of school, Gilles plays violin weekly with the Stamford Young Artists Philharmonic. She's also a member of the synchronized figure skating team at Terry Connors Rink in Stamford for which she has weekly practices.

Connie Tallman, director of guidance at Lauralton, says Gilles is a favorite student among staff and students. "She is upbeat, fun and energetic. She has a joy of life that we want to spread to people around her."

Gilles, a solid student, would like to major in political science when she goes to college next year. She plans to join the ROTC and pursue a career in law, possibly even becoming a JAG lawyer. Her goal is to make it to Washington, D.C., for college.

Perhaps the most influential organization in Gilles' life is her church, Stamford Church of Christ on High Ridge Road. Through the church, Gilles participates in a Buddy Mentor program. Once a month, Gilles spends an afternoon in Bridgeport with her third-grade buddy. They go swimming or shopping. She also volunteers with other church members to help prepare and serve a monthly meal at Pacific House, Shelter for the Homeless in Stamford.

Gilles and her mother, Vanithe Vernet, moved to Norwalk from Stamford six years ago and remain connected to Stamford where they have a large extended family. They have attended the same church every Sunday since Gilles was a child.

"Anya has grown up in the church." says Debbie Pauls, wife of the minister at Stamford Church of Christ and a social worker. "She has learned at a young age that life is about giving. You get the sense that Anya believes anything is possible, with hard work."

Gilles credits her work ethic to her mother. Vernet, originally from Haiti, who works for US Surgical/Tyco. "I see how hard my mom works. She is definitely a role model for me."
Vernet admits that she was concerned initially when her daughter started spending so much time at Malta House. She worried her daughter would fall behind in her schoolwork and that she'd be exposed to the harsh world of homeless mothers. However, Gilles has proved to her mother that she can manage her busy schedule. "Even though she's a busy girl, she gives of herself and just loves those kids. Malta House has made Anya more mature," says mother Vernet.

Gilles realizes her busy high school life packed with activities is not like the lives of the women at Malta House, many of whom are not much older than her. "They didn't expect to be in this situation, but they are working hard to improve their lives. Malta House is the real world. There are things I learn here that I can't learn anywhere else."



Printer Friendly Page

site developed by Awayke
Photo Credits