Celebrating Decades of Champions - The Children`s Home Society

Celebrating
Decades of Champions
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Hyatt Regency Princeton
Program and
Auction Book
Welcome to the
119th Anniversary Gala Celebration of
The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey
Celebrating
Decades of Champions
Gala Chair
Carol Meta Stretch
Honoring
“Champion of Children”
Capital Health
Board of Directors 2013
The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey
Officers
Kati Chupa
Board Chair
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Retired
Christine Côté, M.D.
Vice President Policy
Chief Medical Officer, Retired
Cordelia M. Staton
Vice President Community Relations
Community Advocate
James A. Graham
Secretary
The College of New Jersey
Timothy P. Ryan
Vice President Fiscal Affairs
Bank of America
Miranda Alfonso-Williams
Treasurer
GE Healthcare
Donna C. Pressma
Assist. Treasurer and Assist. Secretary
The Children’s Home Society of NJ
Message from President & CEO of
The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey
When I think back over the year we’ve had at The Children’s Home Society of
New Jersey, I am again inspired by the small miracles and large impacts our staff,
board, auxiliary, parent advisory boards, foster parents, community and corporate partners and volunteers have come together to create. We have seen and
even lived through the devastation that Sandy left just before the winter holidays.
The agency has acted swiftly, efficiently and effectively to respond to the needs of
children and families in the impacted areas by enhancing our existing services
and creating new programs with the aid of generous grants and funding awards.
We need more. We are making a difference in Ocean and Monmouth Counties,
helping those families remain strong and together as they rebuild their lives.
We continue to expand our services for those new babies in our cities, here in
Trenton and around the NJ and PA region. Our CUNA and Body & Soul Programs are just the beginnings. We have added WIC and an Immunization Program to our Mercer County services, ensuring that pregnant and post-pregnancy
mommies know how to and can care for themselves and their babies.
Tonight we honor Capital Health for providing us with resources year round
to make sure our children are born healthy. For decades, Capital Health has
linked their innovative quality health care to CHS of NJ’s community based outreach for our pregnant/parenting moms and dads to insure babies are born
healthy and full term. In the special cases of babies who need Capital Health’s
advanced NICU, we know our babies and their families will have the very best
care available until they are ready for us to help to transition them back to their
nurturing home as quickly as possible.
Together we save children’s lives and build healthy families one by one
and collectively. Over the course of the past year we have touched over 41,000
children, youth, parents, grandparents and other caretakers raising children.
By your presence here tonight, your support ensures one more child will not
be abused, one more baby will live. Your commitment confirms children’s
health, mental health and youth development services beginning in pregnancy
and providing preventative support and treatment services to all our children.
We want our youth to make it successfully to adulthood. We want all parents to
have a chance to learn successful parenting skills. We want grandparents to be
helped and supported when they must raise their grandchildren. You, the community, here this evening, represent all that is good in the world. You recognize
that children must be our top priority for investment as they are our most precious resource and they alone will determine our future.
Donna C. Pressma, LCSW
President & CEO
The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey
Thank you to our 2013 Gala Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Capital Health
Silver Sponsors
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance
Bronze Sponsors
Bloomberg
CohnReznick
Griffith Electric Supply Company
Novo Nordisk
Wegmans
Friends of Children
Eva Alecia-Roman &
Heriberto Roman
Allied Security, LLC
Carol & Barry Belt
Richard Bilotti & Katherine Hatton
Patricia Chiavoni
Kati & Steve Chupa
Jeff Hall and Pamela Hall
Christine Côté & Hugo Yepez
Credit Union of NJ
Dr. James Graham &
Bogdan Dorohonceaunu
Dr. Daniel Harmon & Judy Santiago
Dorothea & Edward Palsho
Donna Pressma
Jim Raymond
Rue Insurance
The Ryan Family
Carol Meta Stretch
Harold & Vivian Shapiro
The Stivala Family
Burt and Roberta Sutker
Telequest, Inc.
Jason Watt
Kimberly Whelan &
Michael Stumpo
“Champion of Children”
For over seven decades, Capital Health and its staff have
partnered and collaborated with our agency to ensure the
healthiest and brightest start in life for children and
families in our communities. Together we have improved
children’s health and birth outcomes. Together we have
served thousands of high-risk pregnancies – helping
mothers understand their bodies’ nutritional and medical
needs through and following childbearing, encouraging
breastfeeding of newborns and educating women about the
risks and prevention of pre-term birth. When Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care has been required, the
Capital Health team and our staff have helped parents
understand the special needs of their babies.
Since the 1940’s, The Children’s Home Society of New
Jersey has been placing babies from Mercer Hospital and
Helene Fuld in our loving and safe foster care homes. Many
were later adopted by new CHS of NJ adoptive parents, and
some returned safely back to their birth homes. As years
have passed and times have changed, together we have
evolved to meet the changing health needs of the Greater
Mercer County community we support and serve.
Today, our staff works with Capital Health hospital staff in
our unique partnership focused on pediatrics and
maternal/child health. Our joint services include
preventative health care, pregnancy and Lamaze classes,
postnatal care, breastfeeding support, well-baby care and
pediatric clinical services. Babies requiring the specialized
postnatal care of the Capital Health NICU benefit from the
advanced medical treatments at the hospital and
coordinated transitional support for their families
provided by CHS of NJ maternal and child health staff.
Our newest collaboration, with generous funding from
The Horizon Foundation and CVS, will improve the
immunization outcomes of our Trenton at-risk children
by helping families ensure access to and the completion of
recommended immunizations for every child.
In light of the changing demographics of Mercer County,
Capital Health and CHS of NJ are committed to staying
aware of cultural sensitivities which then become
incorporated in how we serve our families. Our bilingual
professionals are able to offer help in several languages to
ensure that we are meeting the needs of these new babies,
children and their parents. Our shared goal is to promote
positive birth outcomes and the delivery of healthy babies
for all pregnancies in our care. In cases of NICU babies,
we work in partnership to minimize the child’s time in the
hospital so they can safely join their families at home and
thrive. Together we ensure pediatric well child and crisis
medical care at the medical facilities of Capital Health.
The partnership we have built with Capital Health’s
talented team of doctors, nurses, and other
specialists, is as priceless as the life of a child.
Working hand in hand, we save children’s lives and
build healthy families. It is clear to see why we honor
Capital Health as our “2013 Champion of Children.”
Celebrating
Decades of Champions
A note to the
Decade Vignette Gala
Performers:
Susan Fowler, Dufftin Garcia,
LaTanya Gentile, Senta Johnson,
Gabriella Learn, Kristine Lewis,
Steve Lobis, Scott Lutz
Thank you for your willingness to
share your talent and for caring
about the children and families by
donating your services for The
Children’s Home Society of NJ.
Sharon Arrowood
Michelle Arrowood
for your dedicated help
and caring so much for
our children.
Franck de Las Mercedes
“Franck de Las
Mercedes' work
has been
described as
symbolic,
vibrant, explosive
and sometimes
disturbing.”
————
Found Polaroid
Available for Bidding
in Auction. See AC-1
in Auction Book.
“The Priority Boxes Art Series,” an ongoing, internationally acclaimed project that merges art and activism. “The
Boxes” have traveled the
globe, been taught in
classrooms and featured
on the iconic LED
screens of Times Square.
—————
Priority Boxes
Available for Bidding in
Auction. See AC-2, AC-3,
AC-4 in Auction Book.
For more information go to
www.fdlmstudio.com
The Children’s Home Society of NJ
Celebrating Decades of Champions
Congratulations on your
119th Anniversary
In business, anything can happen. Which is why there’s Rue Insurance.
We’re a fourth-generation insurance agency fully committed to protecting your
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Visit us at www.rueinsurance.com. And Be Ready with Rue.
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Congratulations to Monique and Mitch
on their upcoming Marriage
--- July 20th 2013---
May your days together be Long ,Healthy and Happy
-With Lots of Love from your Family and Friends
Thank You to Our Generous Auction Donors
American Repertory Ballet
Anonymous
Ruth & Harry Bartasawitz
Alan & Bonnie Baseman
Camden Adventure Aquarium
Carol & Barry Belt
Jonny Belt
Beyond Organization, LLC
Betty Bohlert
Broadway Ballroom
Bucks County River Country
Camp Cody
Carl Fischer Candies
Marilyn E. Carroll
CBS Evening News with
Scott Pelley
Steve & Kati Chupa
City Streets Café
Clementon Park & Splash World
Christine Côté & Hugo Yepez
Franck De Las Mercedes
DeAngelis Deli
Equal Exchange
Godiva Chocolatier, Inc.
Aline Guzzo
Hamilton Jewelers
Harry's Army-Navy
jaZams!
Judith Ripka
Koppers Chocolate
La Jolie Salon and Spa
Rosalyn Levy
Lisa Jones
Local Living Magazine/Warren
Media Group
Menards
Mundi Westport Group
New Jersey Devils
NJPAC
Nurture Spa
Jodie Ottilie
Pennington Quality Market
Donna Pressma
Rue Insurance
Sesame Place
Shirley & Co.
Nancy Smith
Cordelia Staton
Anne Stivala
Carol Meta Stretch
Ann Suabedissen
Terhune Orchards
The Ferry House
The Little Gym
The Philadelphia 76ers
The Princeton Marriott at Forrestal
The Ryan Family
Theresa Vassallo
Tiger's Tale
TJ Maxx
Trenton Country Club
Trenton Thunder
Tri-Organics Lawn and Pest
VetICares/Northstar Vets
W.B. Mason
Wells Fargo Bank Corporation
David & Denise Wentzler
Sundra Wentzler
Westminster Conservatory of Music
9 Cody Road
Freedom, NH 03836
[email protected]
“Celebrating Decades of Champions”
Decade Vignette Performers
1920
SENTA JOHNSON. Senta, 10 years old of Doylestown, PA, is a very active
performer, ranging from playing cello, piano, and saxophone as well as
dance and vocal performance. She recently appeared in Midnight Productions’ presentation of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Keswick Theatre.
She will be performing (and studying) with the Philadelphia Orchestra at
the Kimmel Center this summer as scholarship winner for the Philadelphia
International Music Festival. She has several local credits and is always
working and training. When she is not performing she enjoys: sports
(winning the pitch, Hit and Run at Citizens Bank Park), zumba, hiking &
biking, reading and exploring.
GABRIELLA LEARN. Gabby is 12 years old and in 6th grade at Gayman
Elementary in Doylestown. She has been playing soccer since she was 4
years old and has been playing travel Soccer for 3 years. She began dancing
and performing at age 7 in Jesus Christ Superstar and at age 8 was selected
by a Junior Pro dance team to perform at various events including arena
games for football, Philadelphia 76ers, NBA playoff, Harlem Globetrotters,
Philadelphia Flyers, College Football games at Lincoln Financial Field, and a
performance at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Her most recent appearance was her 3rd time in the March 2013 production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, Pa.
Choreographer
KRISTINE LEWIS. Kristine's professional theatre credits are extensive and
her work has appeared in national tours, summer stock, regional theatres,
dinner theatres, and cabaret rooms throughout the U.S.
As a partner in Lewis & Fox Casting, she recently cast a new musical play in
New York with Richard Maltby as creative consultant called The Magdalene.
Additional credits include: a presentation of Stephen Sondheim’s, Evening
Primrose (w/Candice Bergen), directed by Tony Walton; the Westport Playhouse’s Vigil (w/ Timothy Busfield); the off-Broadway production (w/
Malcom Gets); Mindgame (w/Keith Carradine) directed by legendary film
director, Ken Russell; Burleigh Grime$ (w/Wendie Malick); Medea In Jerusalem; It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Murder; and The Most Happy Fella
(which she also directed). Regional productions include: Flights Of Angels
(w/The Hurt Locker’s Brian Geraghty), The Kid From Brooklyn (in development), and Sherman Brother’s musical Merry-Go-Round, starring Florence
Henderson. She has cast numerous readings including Timor Mortis (w/
John Heard), Modern Man (w/ Maxwell Caulfield) and The 5000 Fingers Of
Dr. T. (w/ Eric McCormack). Live events work includes celebrity casting for
the Olympic Torch Services.
Film casting credits include African Gothic (w/all South African cast), Vivaldi (w/ Alfred Molina, Claire Foy, Elle Fanning, Jacqueline Bissett, Neve
Campbell), The Road To Capri (w/Virginia Madsen, Kevin Zegers), Open Air
(w/Lynn Cohen), Love Ludlow (w/ Sex And The City’s David Eigenberg, and
Alicia Goranson), which became a Sundance Selection. Other credits include: E-Day with Chevy Chase (film short for NY Comedy Film Festival);
Pet The Goat, Chaining The Hudson (Docudrama); music videos, commercials (including PSA w/Kevin Bacon and Andrea McCardle) and industrials.
Upcoming film: The Hard Kill (w/Greg Itzin).
As a producer, Kristine was managing producer on Burleigh Grime$, associate producer on the NY production of Vigil, and along w/TAC’s Robert
Laconi on Broadway’s Enchanted April. Additionally, she has produced numerous stage productions in Bucks County, including That’s What Kids Do!
Kristine founded The Theatre Arts Center in 1985 to prepare young actors
for professional theatre. Additionally, she served three years as Director of
the Times Square Bid Kidz in Manhattan, a performance ensemble at various Times Square Broadway events. She has taught at North Carolina
School of the Arts and throughout the U.S. as well as at workshops in London. Her own training began studying with Uta Hagen at H.B. Studios and
at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts for Drama. As a dancer and
choreographer, she studied with Phil Black, Matt Mattox, and Gus Giordano
and for many years worked with the American Ballet Theatre.
1940
SUSAN FOWLER. Susan consistently works in local and regional theater in
NJ & PA and was asked to become a member of the reputable 13th Street
Repertory Theatre in NYC after being scouted in a performance in Pennsylvania. Susan's television credits include a Direct TV Commercial and the
short-lived series "Hack." Film credits include "Jersey Girl," "National Treasure" and "Invincible," as well as many independent films. Most recently
she appeared in Sunday In The Park With George (Old Lady), Black Tie
(Mimi), Gypsy (Tessie Tura), A Little Night Music (Mrs. Anderssen), A Sondheim Spectacular, Top Girls (Isabella Bird), Into the Woods (The Witch),
Don't Dress For Dinner (Suzette), Goodbye Charlie (Charlie), Much Ado
About Nothing (Ursula), The Producers (Hold Me/Touch Me), and
Booth (Adelaide). Favorite dramatic roles include: Richard III (Elizabeth),
Twelfth Night (Olivia), A Midsummer's Night Dream (Titania), Les Liaisons
Dangereuse (Marquise de Merteuil), and Lovers & Executioners (Julie/
Frederick). Favorite musical roles include: Kiss Me Kate (Lois/Bianca),
Showboat (Julie Laverne), How to Succeed In Business (Hedy LaRue), and
1776 (Martha Jefferson). Susan is an Executive Recruiter in her daily life and
resides in New Hope.
STEVE LOBIS. Steve is a local actor performing professionally and in com-
munity theaters throughout the Delaware Valley including the Keswick, Off
Broadstreet, Bristol Riverside, Actors Net of Bucks County, Kelsey, and
Shakespeare 70 theaters. He just finished a successful run as David O. Selznick in Moonlight & Magnolias and performed the role of Pontius Pilate in
Jesus Christ Superstar at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA. Some of his
other favorite roles include Antonio Salieri in Amadeus, John Dickinson in
1776, The Governor/Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha, Albert in Bye Bye Birdie, and the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors.
1960
SCOTT LUTZ. See MC Biography
1980
LATANYA GENTILE. A Vocalist extraordinaire! LaTanya was born and
raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a sought after performer due to
her versatile style covering all genres of music including but not limited to
R&B, Rock, Pop and Jazz. LaTanya has been inspired by a range of artists
such as Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, Chaka
Khan, Celine Dion, Billie Holiday, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Etta James,
Michael Jackson, Luther Van dross and many more. Her performance style
has been quoted as electric and an act to watch in local newspapers. She
simply loves the art of singing and her dance ability is star quality! She also
volunteers for various charity organizations, namely Showtime Charities, to
raise funds for various types of cancer and humanitarian causes by producing shows and events to benefit those in need.
Her past music endeavors include sharing the stage with the Philly Intruders, Suitcase Murphy, TRU and many others in venues such as the Wildwood Amphitheater, Penn’s Landing and Atlantic City. LaTanya continues
to work with various bands but with a main focus on a band she refers to as
the “force” led by Mr. Mike Piper. She performs throughout the tri-state
area. She is excited to be currently working on original music.
2010
DUFFTIN GARCIA. Dufftin A. Garcia (TEDI Artistic Director) was born
and raised in New York City. He received a Magna Cum Laude Bachelor of
Science Degree in Computer Science in 2006 from Lehman College, City
University of New York. Dufftin began his professional dance training at the
age of eight on a scholarship to the Elliot Feld Ballet. In 1988, he joined
National Dance Institute (NDI), performing in every NDI Event of the Year
until his graduation in 1992. Now, an NDI Alumnus, he gives back to the
program as a teacher, choreographer and Member of NDI’s Board of Directors. He’s performed for The 25th Anniversary of the Kennedy Center and
with the late Gregory Hines on NBC’s “Name Your Adventure.” In 1997,
Dufftin served as Associate Director to NDI’s Founder, Jacques d’Amboise,
for NDI’s first International Residency in Israel and Palestine. He also assist-
ed Mr. d’Amboise in a collaborative project with Emeritus Seymour Papert
and Marvin Minsky at the Media Lab of The Massachusetts Institute of
Technology in 2003. In 2004 he served as Associate Director to Mr. d’Amboise for NDI’s first cultural exchange residency in Shanghai, China. In September of 2011 and this past January, he returned to Shanghai to train 30
teachers from China Welfare Institute Children’s Palace and from the
Ming’an District of Shanghai in the NDI pedagogy and techniques. Dufftin
began his association with TEDI as its Associate Director in 2001 and is now
proudly in his tenth year as Artistic Director.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES (MC)
SCOOTER MCTHUMBKNUCKLE. Scott Lutz (also known as Scooter
McThumbknuckle) is an enthusiastic entertainer, both vociferous and verbose, with a style that is uniquely fantastic if somewhat bombastic. Scott is
the resident Master of Ceremonies for BANGARANG, a Philadelphia artist
collective, which he co-founded in 2008 as a part of the Playa Del Fuego art
festival and which has since grown into a remarkable community of dedicated artists and performers with over 200 members and a monthly event at
The Arts Garage in downtown Philly. A Bucks County native, Scott has been
performing since 1996 with such companies as The Headley Manor Dinner
Theater, The Actor's NET of Bucks County, Midnight Productions, The Newtown Arts Company, Class Act Productions, and Downstage Center Studios.
Scott has worked on several national and international tours including a gig
as a Utahraptor Puppeteer for Walking With Dinosaurs, The Arena Spectacular. He could be seen two seasons ago at The Pennsylvania Renaissance
Faire as Court Jester Luigi Burratino, a character which he now uses in his
street performing acts in Rittenhouse Square Park in Philadelphia. Scott
currently lives with his family in Morrisville where he also teaches children's
theater workshops for 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
A special thank you to NEWTON GILCHRIST for sharing his talents with
the gala performers in Direction, Voice, and Acting. His own Broadway
credits include: Hank Munson in State Fair, and Dap and Merlin in Camelot
opposite Robert Goulet. Other national tours include My Fair Lady, The
Mystery of Edwin Drood, Brigadoon, Me and My Girl and Man of La Mancha. Other credits include: Annie Get Your Gun, The Music Man, La Cage
Aux Folles, Man of La Mancha, Me and My Girl, Oliver, Sweeney Todd, the
Kennedy Center's Revivals of Bells are Ringing and Where's Charlie, and the
movie Dead Poet's Society. He has directed Brighton Beach Memoirs, Evita,
Godspell, 42nd Street, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Brigadoon. In October, he
produces Midnight Production’s Haunted House with Hollywood special
effects in Newtown, PA.
Celebrating
Decades of Champions
A note to the
Gala Committee:
Sharon Arrowood, Michele
Arrowood, Betty Bohlert, Tom
Callahan, Kati Chupa, Christine Côté,
Gabriella DeAngelis, Jeremy Garcia,
Tracey Huegler, Yashira Tirado
Rosario, Mary Ann Ryan,
Denise Wentzler, Kimberly Whelan
For your hard work, creativity,
enthusiasm, and support to
make the 2013 Gala a
success – Thank you!!!
Congratulations to
Capital Health,
The Children's
Home Society of
New Jersey and
their Champions of
Children.