HOPE Week continues with the Arias sisters
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Aug 20, 2010 
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On this Friday of HOPE Week, the Yankees are reaching out to the Arias sisters – Johanna and Melida – who have worked through hardships and homelessness to make their lives better through education and hard work. Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Ramiro Pena, Francisco Cervelli, Sergio Mitre, David Robertson and Tony Pena surprised Melida at her job at Wendy’s this morning, and the group will take both sisters on a surprise shopping spree at DKNY in Manhattan to outfit Melida for her freshman year of college and Johanna for future professional opportunities.
This one’s a pretty powerful. From the Yankees, here’s Johanna and Melida’s story:
For 16 years, the Arias women traveled from boardinghouse to rented room to homeless shelter and back again. While they never had much during that time, they always had each other.
Melida Arias, her older sister, Johanna, and her mother, Maria, were inseparable, pooling their change to put food on whatever makeshift dinner table was in front of them. They never went hungry, even if it meant tuna fish and rice every day for a week at a time.
Despite the obvious hardship of their situation, the sisters’ dedication to academics did not waver, and they remained committed to creating a better life for themselves someday. For many homeless teens, college is a fairy tale in a book kept on a shelf. For Melida and Johanna, it was a fixed object in the distance, becoming clearer and closer every day. If they continued to apply themselves, they would become the first members of their family to go to college.
As a freshman in high school, Melida confided the intimate details regarding her homelessness to fellow classmates, who then posted her personal secrets for the world to read online. Shamed by the gossip of her peers and angered at such a cruel betrayal, Melida decided to rise above the bullying and intimidation. Rather than letting the talk of others steal her self-worth, she left her school and transferred to Bronx Leadership Academy High School, where she immediately thrived in accepting and supportive new surroundings.
With the assistance of the organization Women in Need, the Arias women finally found housing during Melida’s junior year. Ever since, the scars of their experience fade by the day. But their triumph has not come without sacrifice. Soon after Johanna was accepted to Syracuse University two years ago, her mother became physically unable to continue her job as a cab driver. So instead of embarking on what is often described as the best four years of a person’s life, Johanna began working at McDonald’s in a job she still has today.
In June, Melida graduated in the top third of her class at the Bronx Leadership Academy, and she begins the next step of her education next spring with her freshman year at highly regarded Baruch College in Manhattan.
Her compassion is reflected in her course load as she embarks on the road to becoming a school psychologist. Her dream is to help children who are growing up under challenging circumstances, similar to herself.
What can you say? Words fail to adequately describe such courage, dignity and strength. Bless them.
HOPE Week is a tremendous success. The Yankees should be congratulated for this.
Add that to more middle-of-the-rotation type prospects (Warren, Stoneburner, Phelps, Mitchell) having good seasons and it adds up to an impressive amount of potentially useful arms.
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Don’t forget Noesi and Nova too.
Big Al,
The bottom line is that Jeter is getting resigned this yr and he and Arod will be playing 3rd and SS for at least 2 – 3 more years. They have time to develop their replacements.
The yankees have great depth at the two most desired positions in baseball (pitcher and catcher). They could always use the depth to trade for a stud in the minors or a legit player in the majors. Just keep stockpiling talent…no matter what postion
What a great story…they deserve any good fortunes that come their way…
any they got my pick of players, too
Incredible story.
I would have loved to see the look on her face when those guys showed up at her job!
And I’ll admit-I’m a little jealous they get the spend the day with Robbie.
Every MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA organization should do this.
This is the second recipient who has come from the Bronx Leadership Academy School. I think I need to read about this school m ore as I am not familiar with it and it sounds as if not only do they have some very interesting and special kids that attend but that this is a school that assists those kids in shaping a positive life.
Where do they find such transcendent people ? True Love and True grit combined. Heartwarming story. They deserve to be recognized.
I love HOPE week!!!!
Interesting blog story on the possibility of baseball in Vegas
(wonder why this caught my eye)
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/bl.....ng-content
champ809 August 20th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Tom in NJ
Jennry Mejia and Jose Tabata played in the AFL last fall and are both from Countries- D.R. and Venezuela that have winter league teams.
The problem with banny is that I think that his former Mex league team has rights to him for their winter leagues…but something maybe able to be worked out.
Noesi will be on the AAA Scranton staff….Phelps/Noesi/Brackman/ZMac/Mitchell/Kontos
very deep at the upper levels with arms and stud arms
Posted the details online? Man, kids are cruel these days.
i feel like the yankees play really good during hope week..i think they were undefeated last weeek too?
in my comment about the depth of arms at the upper levels I making the assumption that Nova is the #5 starter in the BX next season.
BX- CC,Lee,AJ,Hughes,Nova or Pettite if he doesn’t hang ‘em up!
AAA- Phelps,Brackman,Noesi,ZMac,DJ Mitchell,Kontos
AA- Bettances,Banuelos,Warren,Stoneburner,Hall,Bleich
Hi A- Ramirez,Heredia,Marshall,Black,Barreda
Low A- Cotham,Turley,Mitchell,Varce
very,very impressive inventory of big arms and upside throughout the system
GoldGlove9486 August 20th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Posted the details online? Man, kids are cruel these days
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Kids have always been cruel. But now they have technology to assist them. Very sad
Romine and Corbin Joseph are going to the AFL(Arizona Fall League)…Laird and Ryan Pope may go as well….
MTU August 20th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Where do they find such transcendent people ? True Love and True grit combined. Heartwarming story. They deserve to be recognized.
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The real sad part of this story of the sisters is they have next to nothing and can only dream of having just a little of what the so-called “friends” that blasted their situation all over the internet, have. Those are the kids that you can feel sorry for. They have parents that didn’t teach them better. Those are the kids that need a wake-up call before it’s too late. The sisters may need a bit of a boost, they they have the right perspective on life. The only one that can keep you down is yourself.
As for the others. They need to be rounded up and have them working these events and learn what life and dealing with issues really are.
kontos rumored to be going to AFL as well
I hope someone with the Yankees makes a call to Syracuse University for Johanna.
We do not choose the family we are born into. College is not affordable or practical for many poor people who were not given a fair chance.
We are all products of our environment and it is delusional to think that any of us who have been lucky enough to attend college would have done it without being born into the families we were born into.
Something else I have noticed David Robertson has been involved in almost every event this week. He was with Jane Lynch on her ride to the train station, he stuck around for the ballgame yesterday with Beautiful People and now today he is doing this. I love how the players seemingly really get involved in these events.
“Kids have always been cruel. But now they have technology to assist them. Very sad”
Absolutely agree Erica …
Going to the game tonight ….hoping to see the “good” AJ …
Go Yankees 2010 !!!
Laird can’t go to the AFL. He went last year. Unless they’ve changed the rules, they can only play in the league one time, unless it’s because of injury.
GayleF August 20th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Something else I have noticed David Robertson has been involved in almost every event this week
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Gayle-I noticed his name keeps popping up too. D-Rob’s had a busy week!
Great pitching depth in the system. But a handfull of them (3 – 5 i would think) will get traded this offseason. So, someone like Warren (if he doesn’t get moved) could end up in AAA.
Say what you will about his pitching, but Joba Chamberlain has been at nearly every function…as well as Rodriguez. Even the late season additions like Moseley has been to more than one.
What an amazing story of accomplishments in the face of adversity
GB7
I was thinking the same thing about Joba. He seems to be very involved.
Morning, Pat. How are you doing? Hope everything on the wrong side of the country is going well for you.
I told my friend this morning if Tony Pena is sitting outside a dressing room, holding one of the girls purses, I want a picture.
Gayle
Leadership Academy is a great school and there are lots more like it. I have family members who started as teachers in the suburbs and went to teach in NYC. A few years ago, NYC did a recruiting campaign because kids were being babysat by uncertified teachers instead of being taught by teachers qualified to do so.
Cluster schools with 200- 1000 children have replaced some of the 5000 student schools so more of a community could be established and the staff can get to know the students and their families better.
I’ve had the chance to meet some of the kids my family members have taught and sadly, there are too many who have stories similiar to the ones we are hearing this week.
Phil in Columbus August 20th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
GB7
I was thinking the same thing about Joba. He seems to be very involved.
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I would assume that he’s been through a lot of the same challenges in life and maybe decided it was time to return the favor, if only to his father.
pat August 20th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I told my friend this morning if Tony Pena is sitting outside a dressing room, holding one of the girls purses, I want a picture.
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GB-
The levels of adversity this family has had to overcome builds strong character and deep appreciation, and is beyond admirable.
Though they may have little in the way of material goods they are very rich in many other ways. They are blessed with transcendant spirit.
They can know joys the others will probably just take for granted, or may never know.
It is even more impressive that in spite of there meager circumstances they continue to want to give to others. It’s astounding. I’m just not sure you can teach what’s inside of these people. It’s miraculous in so many ways.
Good Morning GB……I can tell you’re ready for the days activities……
Very few men would have the guts to go near a woman’s purse. I was always afraid to open or look inside of my ex’s purse. I just knew there was some hideous monster in there waiting to get me.
I was thinking the same thing about Joba. He seems to be very involved.
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Thats just like Joba, spending too much time off the field and not enough time on it. Probably thinkin about HOPE week while he blows every game he comes into.
GB-
One of the reasons I always pulled so hard for Joba was because of what I believed he had inside, i.e. a big heart.
He may be a bit immature in some ways but in others he is highly advanced.
I still hope he can realize his potential, and preferrably as a Yankee.
Pat M. August 20th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Good Morning GB……I can tell you’re ready for the days activities……
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Yeah, Pat. I’m getting ready. I think that in the spirit of the day and Hope Week that I’ll be kind and forgive the transgressions of the idiots and trolls.
I can only be kind and considerate until 1:00 PM EST, though. My body and mind could not handle the shock much longer than that. Next year, I might be able to add an extra half hour…sort of build up to it.
GB….Stay focused on your Farm Reports…..It’ll keep you distracted from the occassional lunacy that prevails from time to time…….
MTU August 20th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
GB-
One of the reasons I always pulled so hard for Joba was because of what I believed he had inside, i.e. a big heart.
He may be a bit immature in some ways but in others he is highly advanced.
I still hope he can realize his potential, and preferrably as a Yankee.
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It’s a hard way to grow up, I’d think. Sometimes, it makes you mature beyond your years and with others, they need to go back and have those childish times that they missed. Whatever he becomes, I’d never wish his home life on any kid. Maybe this is finally the season that he reaches “adulthood” and starts behaving like one…take care of himself and do the job that he’s paid to do.
By the way, Ted Lilly pitched a gem again last night, 2 hit shutout…..Shame the Dodgers can’t get untracked
All 5 honorees of HOPE week are truly inspirational. It just reminds me to look at your potential and what is possible and never give up. For some reason the story of Mohammed Kamara stands out the most to me. I love it. I hope they do this every year.
GB
I thought the same thing about Laird not being eligible but on the Trenton website they are reporting that he may go.
I’d be surprised if the yanks traded 3-5 of the starters from the system in the offseason.
Maybe 1 or 2 but they will not give up all the depth that they have at the upper levels in trades this offseason.
The names that may be on the move list are ZMac/Warren/Phelps and to a much lesser extent maybe a Noesi although I think the Yanks will really hold him out of deals until at least the trade deadline in ’11.
Pat M. August 20th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
GB….Stay focused on your Farm Reports…..It’ll keep you distracted from the occassional lunacy that prevails from time to time…….
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It’s been a bit of a rough year, not being able to get to the games like I did, Pat. Hopefully, next year, I can get back to my 65-70 games a year. I enjoy those and I miss not watching the kids grow.
What a story! The bullying part just rips your heart out.
I know that room and board would not be an issue for the eldest, but she must have felt the need to take care of the mother and younger sister. Hopefully, Johanna can get back on track now that the younger sister has graduated.
McAllister will certainly be on the trade list and either Warren or Phelps (my bet is Warren) but not both. One of Noesi or Nova, probably, along with Luis Nunez and either Joseph or another middle infield type. Nobody’s taking Snyder.
Add Pendleton to the to go list.
Champ,
Maybe you’re right. But they traded 4 pitchers this past winter, and it seems like a good number. It allows you to move some players that have decent value that you don’t think will last (the old sell high routine). It also opens spaces for people that you might like better in the system. Of course, there has to be someone out there they actually want to trade for.
What’s this about women’s purses?
I was with my son, and we saw a man carrying his wife’s shoulder bag.
I told him, “I don’t ever want to see you with a woman that makes you carry her bag.”
We had a good laugh about it.
Whenever I see a man carrying his wife’s bag, I think, “Whipped.”
Pat M. August 20th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
By the way, Ted Lilly pitched a gem again last night, 2 hit shutout…..Shame the Dodgers can’t get untracked
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I’ve always liked Ted Lilly and was hoping that he’d find his way back to the Yanks. There’s a lot of bulldog in the way he pitches. I think that he would have been perfect in YS, even against the other East Division teams.
GB, I too have always been a fan of Ted Lilly……
’11 Scranton starters…
c- Romine
1B- Veccionacci
2B- Corona
3B- Laird
SS- Luis Nunez
DH- Vazquez
RF- Curtis
CF- Golson
LF- Kruml
AA Trenton
1B- Brewer
2B- Joseph
3B- Suttle
SS- Maruszak
RF- Melky Mesa
CF- Abe Almonte
LF- Subblet
DH- Mahoney
HI-A Tampa
C- Murphy
1B- Roller
2B-
3B-Segedin
SS- Pirela
RF- Zoilo Almonte
CF- Heathcott
LF- Medchill
“It’s not a purse! It’s European!”
GB-
I hope he can do those things. His upbringing must have been confusing. On the one hand,he has his Father who is inspirational, and on the other his Mother’s addiction. Two very different influences but both very much a part of his life.
Two roads leading in opposite directions. Only one path possible.
I hope he chooses the right one, or is led there.
Trisha-
I apologize. The correct e-mail account is cybermrb03@gmail.com
I was thinking of another account at the time. Please send to that address.
Pat M. August 20th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
GB, I too have always been a fan of Ted Lilly……
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I can’t really pin a “he reminds me of…..” label on him, though. Just a guy that goes out and pitches a good game with a chance to win type. Never a ton of strikeouts but gets them when he needs one, not a lot of walks, gives up a few homers, but, not that many. The homers he gives up never seem to cost him the game. Perhaps a Mickey Lolich type or a left handed Dave McNally type….for us old geezers.
CC
of the 4 pitchers they traded 2 were bullpen arms in Coke and Dunn and Aroydis was obviously from the lower levels although a stud!
Z Mac and guys like Pendleton or Pope will be the 1st to be made available imo.
Guys like Warren and Phelps can be had for something that really is going to upgrade the big league club in a spot but I just don’t see right now what that upgrade would be and where.
i left Dave Adams off those rosters but my feeling is he’ll start in AA initially although he could just get moved to AAA depending on how he looks this spring. If he hadn’t gotten hurt he’d no doubt be in AAA right now.
Got some errands to do. Catch you all later.
Adams is a “move ‘em in a trade” type player. His only real position is 2nd base. a pretty good hitter, but, not a lot of power to hit 20 a year and not great speed, but enough to get him 10-15 a year. Good enough for a rebuilding team.
MTU August 20th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Got some errands to do. Catch you all later.
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Watch that wandering eye and look out for snakes.
They way Adams handles the bat he’d be a perfect # 2 hitter….hi contact/obp drives the ball into the gaps and battles.
I think he could be a 40 doubles/15 homer .300/.370obp type hitter who if he played into a smaller park Camden Yards, Fenway, Wrigley would run into a few.
Pat M,
I think I’ve read it all. Bill Simmons wrote an article on why he thinks Shaq signed with the Celtics At the top of the list was Kobe’s locker room celebration a’la Tupac supposedly insulted Shaq. I stopped reading after that.
Maine Yankee,
Simmons thinks Shaq is thinking that Boston is his best bet to tie Kobe. That should make you happy.
I don’t think they’ll trade Adams until he comes back and proves he’s healthy. They’ll want to get full value for him…and he does have value (just not playing for the Yanks).
I really hope Eduardo Nunez gets a few ABs while he’s up…he looks great in games in ST but of course that’s spring training.
I’d like to see him in the box for the real thing to see how he looks. He turned a nice dp last night when he came in the game but it was pretty much a routine play.
It’d be great if Adams was healthy enough in time to play in the AFL this fall.
I guess that there is an outside chance for Joseph to play well enough the rest of the year in Trenton, the playoffs and then in AZ that he opens next season in AAA with Adams starting in AA Trenton again.
http://riveraveblues.com/2010/.....rks-34107/
More on Phil’s outing. The fastball, and the subsequent efficiency in the last 4 innings. I’m glad we scored all those runs, but I think most of us would’ve like to see Phil out there for another inning or two.
I doubt the Yankees will have more than 6 players playing in the AFL.
Teams don’t like to have a bunch of players playing in the AFL after a long minor league season.
Its usually 2-4 guys, with 1 or 2 more if they need AB’s or innings coming off injuries.
GTLU
Gardner LF
Jeter SS
Tex 1B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Kearns DH
Granderson CF
Cervelli C
Pena 3b
In light of the article posted this morning, do players get paid more to play in AFL etc? Is there a financial incentive to think of, as well. Or, is participation based strictly on team need/decision
SJ, What do you think has been the difference in the offense lately. I know you were really concerned on Monday about the offense for the rest of the season. Curious as to know if you think they have turned the corner or what?
Rishi,
They get a per diem in the AFL. Same goes for when they play in the instructional league.
Their living expenses are covered and partipation is based strictly on team decisions.
Its hard to say if they have turned the corner.
I know the ream job Girardi gave them got people’s attention. Guys were talking about it for two days.
I also think they had the benefit of facing a struggling team and pitching staff in the Tigers.
That’s ok though. They took advantage of that. Something they didn’t do in KC.
Hopefully, its the beginning of more consistent offensive play.
They are going to need it over the next six weeks.
Thanks, SJ…the million things I think of now that I have a little bit more information
They’ve had stretches where they were suddenly on fire offensively, and go cold again just as quick. I don’t think anyone here is going to prognosticate that they are fixed or not. They could run into some buzz saws and look dead again.
What is encouraging is gardner swinging it again, Cano getting hotter, Granderson’s improvements, and Kearns really filling in well.
One thing they did real well in Detroit was not chase bad pitches too often. They really got into good hitters counts every game.
I was impressed with what they did to Verlander, who usually gives Yankee hitters fits.
If the hitters jump on Hernandez tonight, it will go a long way in fixing a few things and maybe stretching out the lead.
When Granderson hits and Posada plays the lineup is much longer and more difficult to pitch to. Hopefully Grandy keeps it up and Jorge can play more down the stretch.
I also thought the team as a whole had a much better approach in the Tigers series than they’ve had in awhile.
I know he’s a red sox player and evil and all that, but no player should ever have to put their career in danger, even if their team is desperate. Pedroia is not being smart right now, which is sad because the guy has talent.
Yeah, so, um. How’s that HR goal of 20 going, Dustin?
Obviously, I’m kidding. But when I heard that he said that, I thought, “uh oh, the baseball gods don’t like that kind of talk.”
Asd,
What are you talking about?
I agree SJ
I think the Yanks will send 5-6 guys to AZ this year just like last season.
I read an interview with Oppenheimer the other day and he was pretty much saying the same thing that they’ve submitted the list of candidates and that Cash and Newman would make the final selections this week or so.
New thread
Pitching match ups
It’s pretty embarrassing that the 2nd comment on this thread has zero to do with this great initiative and instead goes into baseball. Aren’t there enough other posts to worry about baseball? Geez.