Newsletter_Fall2013 - Waterford Country School

Circle of
Friends
The Newsletter of
Waterford Country School, Inc.
The Otto Graham
Gymnasium Project
Groundbreaking for the Otto Graham Gymnasium and
Activity Center took place on September 23, 2013. In
attendance were members of
the Graham family, WCS Board of
Trustees, staff, volunteers, donors
and elected officials. The ceremony
marks the start of construction on
the new gymnasium which will be
constructed by Kronenberger & Sons
Restoration, Inc., costing $2.3 million.
The 14,000 square-foot gymnasium
will be on the main campus in Quaker
Hill and will include two full-size
basketball courts, a fitness center,
stage, as well as physical education
and recreation office suites. Speakers
at the groundbreaking included
Ryan Graham (Otto’s grandson),
State Senator Andrea Stillman, and
State Representative Betsy Ritter.
Pictured from top: Betsy Ritter - State Representative
Andrea Stillman - State Senator
Fall 2013
To signify the start of construction, Bev Graham raised a
golden shovel and an excavator took the first scoop.
(Left) Beverly and Ryan Graham raise the golden shovel.
(Right) Attendees sign a commemorative basketball.
We are currently at 85% of our fundraising goal. Help us
reach our goal! Naming opportunities are still available and
all gifts are appreciated. The gym will enhance our physical
education curriculum, recreational activities and boost our
health and wellness programs.
The Graham Family
Waterford Country
School Opens the
Fitness Trail
The Fitness Trail opened in the Quaker Hill campus on May 8th.
Home Depot of Waterford generously supported this project last
fall by providing funding, materials and volunteers who labored
with WCS staff to create the trail. The collaboration embodies
the best elements of community support. The path provides
a 1/4 mile fitness trail with workout stations, including strength,
cardiovascular, and flexibility training. The outdoor trail helps
students and staff combine nature and physical activity, promoting
good overall health.
Ready, Set, Go!
Camp Cuheca Activities Begin
Presented by Waterford Country
School, Heavy Hitters and the
Department of Children and Families
This summer, Camp Cuheca ran its
second consecutive year with 22
enthusiastic campers.
Staff and
campers embarked on an action“Ready, Set, Go!” took place this past summer
packed spring and summer journey to
in an effort to provide opportunities for youth
remember. Every day provided a new
to engage in new and interesting ways of
adventure. Campers’ activities included
exercising. This program supports our recently
hiking, fishing, adventure ropes, sports,
adopted Agency Health Model which includes
swimming, animal care, arts & crafts,
exercising at least 1 hour a day. Heavy Hitters is
wildlife and creepy crawler discovery,
a program offered by Strike Zone, a New London
survival techniques, campsite building,
based organization. With the support of DCF, the
acting, confidence building and
program was offered on the campus of Waterford
just fun! In addition, Camp Cuheca
Country School.
expanded and opened its doors early
this spring with the start of a new
The data collected showed positive outcomes for all
year-round afterschool program.
participants. Overall, the youth increased the amount
of time engaged in physical activity. We saw great
Campers came from all areas of eastern Connecticut including: Waterford, East Lyme, Niantic,
improvements in weight loss, physical conditioning,
New London, Montville, Norwich, Groton, Mystic, Westerly, Ledyard, and even Plainfield. All
self esteem and motivation for daily life. We are
camp participants flourished and the success of the program helped us secure scholarship
encouraged by these outcomes and have begun an
funding. The Frank Loomis Palmer Fund helped provide scholarships for six New London
after-school program. We currently use the dining hall,
residents participating in our afterschool and summer camp program. The grant was made
cottage basements and outdoors for this program. As
possible by a collaborative team effort between the WCS Development and Experiential
we continue this partnership and the program grows,
Education teams.
we eagerly await the grand opening of the Otto Graham
Gym. If you are interested in knowing more contact Susan
For more information, please contact Ben Turner, Director of Camp Cuheca at
Sullivan, RN, Medical Program Director at (860) 442-9454.
(860) 442-9454. Be Well - Be Cuheca Strong!
HOLIDAY
WISHLIST
2013
Boys and Girls ages 10 – 19
• Gift Cards (WalMart, Target, Books-a-Million)
• Entertainment gift certificates (movies, bowling, skating)
• Arts and Crafts supplies • Journals and pens
• Posters for teen rooms (motivational quotes, sports, music, animals)
• Bicycle helmets (teen and adult sizes)
• Pillows, pillowcases, cotton blankets, fleece blankets, twin size comforters or quilts
• Personal hygiene products for teens
• New duffle bags
• New socks, hats, gloves, underwear & t-shirts
• New sporting equipment (basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, baseballs, softballs)
• Batteries (AA, AAA)
Jim Anglin Visits
Waterford Country
School
In March of 2013, we had the great opportunity to host a visit by the
notable author and researcher, James Anglin. Jim is a Professor in
the School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria.
He has dedicated much of his career to researching and teaching
the components of quality care for children placed in residential
treatment. His most recent publication, “Pain, Normality and
the Struggle for Congruence,” had great influence on Cornell’s
development of the CARE program which is in practice at
Waterford Country School.
Jim was referred to our Agency by Martha Holden from Cornell
University due to our successful work with youth that have
significant trauma backgrounds. He spent three days here,
two observing and interviewing, and the third providing us
with some training and supervision related to his areas of
expertise.
A summary of Jim’s findings during his visit were captured
in his written summary as follows: “The feeling of ‘village’
that I experienced indicates to me that a powerful and
positive culture is in place. It is evident that a strong
‘CARE culture’ is now infused into the daily life of the
Agency…WCS appears to have successfully transformed
and reached a new threshold.”
Waterford Country
School Acquires
Adoption Services
In April, Waterford Country School acquired Connecticut Adoption
Services. The adoption program is operated in the Norwich office,
sharing space with our Therapeutic Foster Care program. The adoption
program compliments our mission and fits nicely with our foster care
training - the principles of the training for both programs are very
similar. The transition was extremely successful as all of the programs
and services of the former Connecticut Adoption & Family Services
were able to continue without disruption.
Local Corporation and Organizations
Volunteer and Support Efforts
Frank Loomis Palmer Fund
$15,000
Camp Cuheca Scholarships for children from New London
Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
$15,000
To promote healthy families, increase educational opportunities,
as well as recreational and cultural enrichment
Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce
Operating costs for Experiential Education and Wildlife
Rehabilitation
$5,000
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union
$1,000
Instruction on proper grooming, hygiene, and dress attire
for teens in the Bent Shelter program
WalMart – Waterford, CT
Health and Wellness program
$500
AT&T
$10,000
To help youth attain a high school diploma and participate
in vocational training
United Way of Southeastern Connecticut
$5,000
Repairs to Spiritual Life Center from damage which occurred
during Hurricane Sandy
Cardinal Honda
Otto Graham Gymnasium Project
Dime Bank Foundation
$3,500
Cultural enrichment and field trips for the Special Education
program
(Facilitated through the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut)
Anonymous Donor
$200
$21,000
Otto Graham Gymnasium Project
A special thank you to Dominion, whose summer interns
refurbished the grounds of the Safe Home program.
WATERFORD COUNTRY SCHOOL
78 Hunts Brook Road
Quaker Hill, CT 06375
860-442-9454
www.waterfordcountryschool.org
Our Mission:
Waterford Country School is dedicated to doing
whatever it takes to enrich the lives of children
and strengthen families through specialized
programs, resources, and community services.
Join our online
community!
Donate
online!
WCS Development Office
(860) 442-9454 •[email protected]
Golf Tournament
Raises $50,000 to
support WCS!
Gary “Mr. Six” Saunders
The Third Annual “Bring Your Mojo” Golf Tournament
in memory of founding family member, Gary “Mr. Six”
Saunders was held on Thursday, September 19th.
Nearly 120 golfers participated in the event at the
Great Neck Country Club in Waterford. The event
raised over $50,000 to support Waterford Country
School’s programs and services which support the
special needs of children, youth and families.
BRING YOUR
MOJO
Golf Tournament
Event Co-Chairs Todd Blonder and Scott Gladstone
To purchase tickets, please contact Waterford Country
School’s Development Office at (860) 442-9454 x105
or email [email protected]