Summer 2013 - Family Centers

CenterPiece
EMPOWERING CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL
THE NEWSLETTER OF FAMILY CENTERS | SUMMER 2013
Family Centers and
Literacy Volunteers Merge
he merger of Family Centers and Literacy Volunteers of
Stamford/Greenwich was completed on July 1, creating
a comprehensive network of services designed to meet the
self-sufficiency needs of Fairfield County residents.
T
Family Centers will retain the Literacy Volunteers name,
and all of the program’s services will remain intact.
Literacy Volunteers’ three full-time and three part-time
employees will also join Family Centers’ staff and operate
the program as part of the Fostering Independence Center
of Excellence.
Literacy Volunteers of Stamford/ Greenwich offers free literacy, job skills training, English language instruction and
adult education services to more than 500 Fairfield County
residents each year. Programs are facilitated by a team of
(l-r) Family Centers’ Board Vice Chairman Laurie Grauer, Family Centers’ Board
Chairman Laurie Host, Literacy Volunteers Board Chairman John Raffaeli and
Literacy Volunteers’ Board Secretary Victoria Zerjav.
more than 120 volunteers, who donate more than 14,000
hours each year. Computer classes, financial literacy services
and work readiness program are also offered.
REFURBISHED ACTIVITY ROOM AND ART CENTER
OPEN AT ARCH STREET PRESCHOOL
Family Centers has officially reopened a newly renovated art
center and activity room at its Arch Street Preschool.
The centerpiece of the redesign is the school’s multi-purpose
activity space known as “Abbey’s Room”. Featuring plenty of
space, Abbey’s Room will be used to hold special assemblies,
dance/music classes and other activities. The room also includes
an intricate mural featuring koalas, pandas and polar bears (the
names of the school’s three classes) painted by local artists Nina
Weld and Liz Van Duyne.
The project was spearheaded by Board Members Mary Moran,
Julie Graham and Helen Dixon. Design work was provided by
George Penniman Architects, LLC, while contractual services
were provided by Hobbs, Inc.
Top: Painters Liz Van Duyne (left center) and Nina Weld celebrate with kids from
the Arch Street Preschool in front of the new mural. Bottom: (l-r) Arch Street
Preschool Site Manager Kate McCallum, painter Nina Weld, Family Centers’ Board
Member Julie Graham, Family Centers’ Board Member Helen Dixon, Family
Centers’ Board Member Mary Moran, painter Liz Van Duyne and Maria Friedrich.
2
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Perri Peltz Stresses the Importance
of Support at CFH Luncheon
uring her time as a decorated
news journalist for such networks as NBC, CNN and ABC, Perri
Peltz covered countless stories
focusing on the human aspect of
public health and poverty. When
she went behind the camera in 2011
to direct her acclaimed HBO documentary “The Education of Dee
Dee Ricks,” she explored this theme
even further.
D
The film followed two New York
women from very different backgrounds as they underwent treatment for breast cancer. And while
Peltz aimed to illustrate the socioeconomic disparities present in
the U.S. healthcare industry, the
documentary also showed how a
support network can help ease the
stress of a critical illness.
During her keynote remarks at the
Center for HOPE luncheon on May
20 at the Woodway Country Club
in Darien, Peltz told her audience
that access to care – particularly
counseling and emotional support –
should be available to all in times
of crisis. She noted how the Center
for HOPE is making that possible
for people in Fairfield County coping
with a life altering circumstance.
“It’s about providing support and
hope to everybody, whether you
can pay for it or not,” Peltz said.
”Everyone deserves that just by
virtue of being a human being. So,
I applaud the work the Center for
HOPE does and the people who
support the program.”
26.2 FOR FAMILY CENTERS
After spending the winter training in
frigid temperatures, many runners look
The Luncheon, co-chaired by Jan
Dilenschneider, Pam Caffray and
Susan Yonce, raised more than
$100,000 for the Center for HOPE
and The Den for Grieving Kids –
Family Centers’ critical illness and
bereavement support programs.
forward to spring marathons for the
friendly weather that usually accompanies these races. But when Family
Centers’ Communications Director Bill
Brucker toed the line at the 25th Annual
KeyBank Vermont City Marathon on
May 26, he was greeted with 35 degree
temperatures, driving rain and wind.
Despite the unfavorable conditions, Bill
completed the marathon’s 26.2 mile
course and raised $3,600 for Family
Centers in the process. The donations will
help Family Centers offer local families
preschool scholarships.
Bill completed the marathon in 3:29:33 –
placing 424 out of a field of 2,774
marathon runners and more than 5,000
relay participants. Held in Burlington, VT,
the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon is
the state’s largest running event. The sce-
Clockwise from top left: Pam
Caffray, Jan Dilenschneider, Perri
Peltz and Susan Yonce; Laurie
Host and Perri Peltz; Jill Axthelm,
Charlotte Axthelm, Nancy
Axthelm and Alexandra Nichols
nic course takes runners through several
IT
S, VIS m
O
T
O
co
PH
ORE ntylook.
M
E
u
E
TO S airfieldco
.f
www
Burlington neighborhoods, the bustling
Church Street Marketplace and along bike
paths overlooking Lake Champlain.
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
3
Greenwich Alliance for Education Brings Joy of Reading to Family Centers
hen Family Centers’ preschoolers see the Greenwich Alliance
for Education’s Storymobile they
know they’re in for a special treat.
W
While many of the kids are just
excited to listen to some of their
favorite stories once inside the
brightly colored bus, the ultimate
goal is to expose preschoolers to the
early literacy skills that are vital to
future academic success.
Since 2008, the Storymobile has
visited the Gateway Preschool,
Arch Street Preschool and Head
Start/School Readiness program
more than 300 times, reaching more
than 700 kids.
The Greenwich Alliance for Education
has also run a weekly, month-long
summer program for the Head
Start/School Readiness program for
Family Centers Wins
PRSA Mercury Awards
the past five years. Each child enrolled
in the summer program is provided
free books to help build their home
libraries.
RECEPTION TO BENEFIT THUMBELINA
FUND SET FOR SEPT. 18
On Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m., Family Centers,
Family Centers’ public relations and
Charter Oak Communities and Stamford Hospital
communications efforts received
will host a special reception at the Water’s Edge at
top honors at the Public Relations
Giovanni’s in Darien to benefit the Truglia
Society of America’s (PRSA)
Thumbelina Fund.
Mercury Awards ceremony on Thursday,
June 13.
Started by former Connecticut State Representative Christel Truglia in 1996,
the Thumbelina Fund is a donor-advised fund of the Fairfield County
The agency’s 2012 Annual Report received a
Community Foundation that aims to meet the special needs of Stamford’s
Gold Mercury Award in the Non-For-Profit
children. Whether it helped purchase a prom dress for an underprivileged
Annual Reports category. Entitled Amazing Tales
girl, built a playground at a local public housing complex or sent promising
of Empowerment, the Annual Report resembled
students to a leadership conference, the Truglia Thumbelina Fund has added
a comic book and showcased the success stories
much-needed wonder, adventure and joy to countless childhoods through-
of 18 clients to illustrate how Family Centers
out Stamford.
makes a difference in the lives of people in the
Courtney Nelthropp, owner of Sir Speedy in Stamford,
community. Judges lauded the report for its
creative design, powerful photos and use of
Chairman of Charter Oak Communities’ Board of
client testimonials. The 2012 Annual Report was
Commissioners and a Stamford Downtown Special
designed by New Leaf Graphic Design of Fairfield
Services District Board Member, will be honored for
and printed by Keno Graphics of Shelton.
his outstanding community service and dedication to
improving the quality of the city’s low and moderate
Family Centers also earned a Gold Mercury Award
Courtney Nelthrop
income housing.
in the Not-for-Profit Media Relations Tactics category
for the publicity around the 2012 Polar Bear Plunge.
For tickets and sponsorship information visit www.fccfoundation.org.
4
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Many thanks to our very generous
Gatsby on the Sound sponsors!
BEE’S KNEES
HOTSY-TOTSYS
Anne and Jack Ball
Marge and Bill Berkley
Laurie and Peter Grauer
Arlene and Reuben Mark
Valerie and Mike McKeever
Joan Melber Warburg
Abby and Tom Bowers
Sandi and Jim Duffy
Lile and John Gibbons
Anne and Bill Harrison
Sonia and Paul Tudor Jones
Paul and Wendy Raether
Diane and John Straus
Nonie and John Sullivan
Amy and John Weinberg
CAT’S MEOW
Leigh and Ben Carpenter
Laurie and George Host
Gillian and Bob Steel
Terri and Chris Walker
Lois and Greg Willis
LIVEWIRES
Brooke and Tom Ashforth
Kate Murphy and James Clark
Mary and Marvin Davidson
Patti and Eric Fast
Suzanne and Ramsey Frank
Merrilou and Justin Hillenbrand
Wendy and Richard Hokin
Alice and Chris Holbrook
Christina and John Horner
The Overbrook Foundation
Thomas Peterffy
Lindsay and Art Reimers
Debby and Peter Weinberg
Edith and Roy Simpson
Joanne and Christopher Stavrou
Bonnie and Tom Strauss
Lisa and Scott Stuart
Victoria and Michael Triplett
Louise and Henrik Vanderlip
Sue Ann Weinberg
Susan and Cliff Yonce
BAND UNDERWRITER
Anonymous
HUMDINGERS
Anonymous
The Ashforth Company
Ann and Sam Croll
Jan and Bob Dilenschneider
Lauren and John Driscoll
Muffie and Desmond FitzGerald
Stephanie and Larry Flinn
Amandine and Stephen Freidheim
Joli Gross and Peter Maloney
Allie and Lee Hanley
Mary and Thomas McGowan
Anne and Philip Miller
Mitchells/Richards
Barbara Netter
Liz and Bob Nolan
Northern Trust
Barbara and John Robinson
MAGICIAN UNDERWRITER
Anonymous
MAIN MEDIA SPONSOR
Serendipity
MEDIA SPONSOR
Moffly Media
TENTING UNDERWRITER
Anonymous
WINE AND LIQUOR SPONSOR
Horseneck Wine
We apologize for any errors or omissions
Sean Day Wins 1951 MG-TD Roadster at Gatsby Benefit
Greenwich resident Sean Day is now able to take a little
remarked how
extra “Gatsby Glamour” with him when he hits the open
delighted he
road this summer. At the “Gatsby on the Sound” benefit,
was that his “small
he held the winning ticket for the event’s 1951 MG-TD
treasured roadster would help such a great cause.”
convertible raffle.
The MG also hosts a special significance to Sean, as he
was Stig’s longtime friend and business associate.
Donated by the late Stig Host, a dedicated supporter of
Family Centers and its work in the community, the car
The raffle raised nearly $50,000, which will support Family
features the original 1250-cc four cylinder engine, leather
Centers’ health, human service and education programs
interior and 4-speed transmission. Before his death, Stig
that serve more than 25,000 Fairfield County residents.
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Stephanie and Larry Flinn
Robin Graham and Mary Moran
Bob and Jan Dilenschneider
Terri and Chris Walker
Desmond and Muffie FitzGerald
Jim Duffy, Peter Ruhlin, Ros Curtis and John Straus
John and Stephanie Horton
Arlene Mark
Richard and Wendy Hokin
Justin and Merrilou Hillenbrand
5
6
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Joli Gross and Peter Maloney
Stewart Brownlee and Jill & Kip Koons
Chris and Alice Holbrook and Staff Bucknall
Lucy and Na
Mary and Marvin Davidson
Hazel and Mike Hobbs
Bob Arnold, Lindsay Reimers, George Sachs, Art Reimers, Kathy Sachs
John & Lauren Driscoll, Louisa Win
Drew Guff
Julian Markby and Louise & Henrik Vanderlip
Mimi Tabah, Sherrill Kellam and Leigh Carpenter
Bruce Dixon, Anne Hubbard, Seeley Hubbard and Helen Dixon
Robert Getz, Ramsey Frank, Lynne Whe
TO WS W W . F A M I L Y C E N T E R S . O R G 7
www EE MORE
.fairf
ieldc PHOTOS, V
ounty
look.ISIT
com
Sue Ann Weinberg and Larry Simon
George and Jeanne Host
Susan and Cliff Yonce
at Day
Anne and Bill Harrison
Eric and Patti Fast
Laurie Host and Tom Ireland
throp and Jessica &
at and Thomas Peterffy
Avery and Allison Bourke
Terry Rogers-Matthews and
Phil Matthews
John & Lile Gibbons and Chris Stavrou
Lois Willis and Michaela Barnum
Sam and Ann Croll
Robin and Julie Graham
8
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
BOARD MEMBER, STAFF MEMBER NAMED
CCFSA FAMILY CHAMPIONS
Board member Jan Dilenschneider and staff member
Amanda Harmon were recently recognized as “Family
Champions” by the Connecticut Council of Family Service
Communications Director Named
Among County’s 40 Under 40
Bill Brucker, Family Centers’ Communications Director,
was recently recognized by the Fairfield County Business
Journal as one of the area’s top young professionals.
Agencies (CCFSA) for their outstanding commitment to
improving the lives of families in Connecticut.
Since joining the Board of
Directors in 1998, Jan has
At a reception held at Hotel Zero Degrees in Norwalk on
June 20, Bill and 39 other Fairfield County professionals
were officially named to the publication’s annual “40 Under
40” list.
employed a ‘big picture’
approach to help the
agency expand its reach in
the community. As Board
Chairman from 2005-2008,
The “40 Under 40” awards honor the best, brightest and
most creative young professionals in Fairfield County.
Winners are chosen for their dedication to personal and
professional development and leadership qualities.
she helped guide Family
Centers through two successful mergers with the
2013 Family Champions Amanda
Harmon (left) and Jan Dilenschneider
Center for HOPE and
HealthCare Connection —
moves that bolstered the agency’s range of services and
created a greater continuum of care. Jan has also co-chaired
numerous successful fundraisers.
As Communications Director, Bill oversees Family Centers’
media relations, marketing and social media efforts. In his
seven years at Family Centers, he has helped increase the
agency’s public visibility by establishing key contacts with
local, state and national media outlets. He also manages
Family Centers’ website and has produced several awardwinning publications.
For the past five years, Amanda has been a trusted resource,
confidant and sounding board for students as the clinical
social worker at the Rippowam Middle School/AITE High
School School Based Health Center. In addition to provid-
ing one-on-one counseling services, Amanda regularly cofacilitates psycho-educational groups with teenagers who
have a history of violence, suicidality and adjustment issues.
This past December, she also took time to volunteer in
Newtown to help families and workers deal with the overwhelming tragedy there.
Family Centers’ Communications Director Bill Brucker (right) is congratulated
by former MLB manager and event emcee Bobby Valentine.
CL&P Volunteers Help Spruce Up
Stamford Location
Employees from Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) recently
rolled up their sleeves to help beautify the grounds at Family
Centers’ Stamford location. As part of the United Way of
Western Connecticut’s “Day of Action,” more than a dozen
CL&P volunteers cleaned out the storage garage and cleared
back overgrown brush.
CL&P employees pose for a photo after a hard day’s work.
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Head Start and School Readiness
Celebrate its Students
Greenwich Head Start and and the
two School Readiness classrooms at
Armstrong Court celebrated the accomplishments of the site’s 63 students with
a graduation ceremony on June 27.
GOODNOW RECOGNIZED AT
DARIEN VOLUNTEER DAY
Board Member Carl Goodnow was
recently honored for his dedication to
improving the lives of area families
during The Community Fund of
Darien’s annual Darien Volunteer Day
Awards ceremony.
Teachers presented each graduate moving onto kindergarten with a “diploma”,
while those students returning next fall
received a special certificate. The event
culminated with selection of songs
sung by all of the schools’ children.
For the second consecutive year,
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
in Greenwich generously underwrote the graduation. In addition to volunteering at the event, Morgan Stanley employees provided lunch for all
graduates and their families. They also arranged for an ice cream truck,
flowers, decorations and gifts for the teachers.
Since joining Family Centers’ Board of
Directors in 2002, Carl been a steadfast advocate of providing people the
skills and tools they need to improve
their lives. He currently serves as the
co-chair of Family Centers’ Fostering
Independence and Facilities Committees. Carl is also a member of the
Governance Committee.
In 2011, Carl was instrumental in the
creation of a brand new, state-of-theart playground at Family Centers’ Arch
Street Preschool. Due to new government safety regulations, the preschool’s
old playground needed to be updated.
Working hand-in-hand with Family
Centers’ staff and a few Board
Members, Carl carefully oversaw the
design, construction and fundraising
efforts associated with this $250,000
project.
Manuel Bonilla; (l-r) Jacari Hughes, Angelo Perez and Julian Sorilla; Morgan Stanley volunteers and Family
Centers’ Manager of Volunteer Services Jennifer Flatow (center)
9
10
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
FA C E S O F FA M I LY C E N T E R S
Family Self-Sufficiency Program Helps Family Send Daughter to College
amily Centers and the Greenwich Housing Authority
recently celebrated Bertha and David Novella for
graduating from the Family Self-Sufficiency Program – a
joint effort designed to help residents of public housing
improve their level of self-sufficiency.
F
The program provides free onsite self-sufficiency oriented
support including counseling, goal planning, job-skills
training and family support. To further encourage selfsufficiency and financial development, the Housing
Authority also established special savings accounts for
the program’s participants. Similar to a 401k savings
plan, families have the option of contributing to these
accounts to save for approved self-sufficiency related
activities like homeownership, vehicle payments, education
and tuition fees, childcare and other related activities.
The Novella’s left their native Peru in 2004 and came to
Greenwich in the hopes of providing their children with
the quality education they couldn’t get back home.
When their daughter, Leslie, entered the Greenwich
Public Schools system, learning was a struggle. She
spoke little English and had trouble keeping up with her
classmates. But Bertha and David regularly worked with
Leslie to improve her language skills. Soon, she saw her
grades improve and was recommended for Advanced
Placement classes.
Meanwhile, Bertha and David found it difficult to make
ends meet financially. Despite regularly working 18-hour
days, the couple struggled to afford their Greenwich
Public Housing apartment. When they learned about the
Family Self-Sufficiency Program and the ways it could
help them live a more comfortable life, they jumped at
the chance.
Soon after joining the program, the Novella’s learned
vocational and financial literacy skills they wouldn’t
otherwise have had. David found a better paying job and
Bertha was able to cut back on the number of hours she
worked each week.
At a ceremony on June 11, the Novellas were presented
with a check for $24,729.46 – the amount the family has
saved during their time with the Family Self-Sufficiency
Program. While they had dreams of one day buying a
new home, the Novella’s will use the funds to pay for
room and board when Leslie attends Babson College in
the fall.
Bertha (second from left) and Leslie Novella (center) receive the money
they’ve saved through the Family Self Sufficiency Program from Marisol
Rivera, Family Centers’ Manager of Self Sufficiency and Independent Living,
Greenwich Housing Authority Commissioner Abelardo Curdumi and Greenwich
Housing Authority Executive Director Anthony Johnson.
“I feel very proud of my parents,” Leslie said. “I’ve seen
how hard they worked. Whenever I feel uninspired I will
think of all that hard work. I won’t let them down.”
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR ADVISORS
Officers • Laurie Host, Chairman • Laurie Grauer, Vice Chairman • Patti Fast, Vice Chairman • Michael McKeever, Treasurer • Kevin Walsh, Assistant Treasurer • Allison Bourke,
Secretary • Alice Holbrook, Assistant Secretary • Bob Arnold, President & CEO
Directors • Tom Ashforth • Marjorie Berkley • Abby Bowers • Doug Brown • Stewart Brownlee • Pam Caffray • David Campbell • Leigh Carpenter • Ann Croll • Jan Dilenschneider •
Helen Dixon • Jim Duffy • Carl Goodnow • Julie Graham • Joli Gross • Merrilou Hillenbrand • Richard Hokin • John Horton, Jr. • Seeley Hubbard • Lauren Driscoll • Kip Koons •
Arlene Mark • Charlotte Minor • Mary Moran • John Raffaeli • Lindsay Reimers • Kathleen Ryan-Mufson • Susan Shanks • John Straus • Nonie Sullivan • Mimi Tabah • David Tuttle •
Louise Vanderlip • David Van Dyke • Terri Walker • Bunny Weicker • Susan Yonce
Lifetime Member • Joan Warburg
Senior Advisors • Bert Ballin • Gini Bantle • Lucy Barrett • Darryl Branch • Molly Byrne • Karen Casey • John Conte • Nathaniel Day • Kathleen DeCruze • Bob Fields • Muffie
Fitzgerald • Jane Frank • Gordon Garrett • Edwen Goldstein • Gerard Hallock • Hazel Hobbs • Mystique Johnston • Karen Keegan • Kim Kispert • Howard Kraft • Johnnie Lee •
Muffie Lynch • Tom Melly • Sharon Phillips • Mimi Pivirotto • Michael Pralle • George Reilly • Allison Rubeli • Marion Schmeelk • Margaret Sirot • Richard Thomas • Kathleen Tropin •
Cathy Weisenburger • Bob Wells • Victoria Zerjav
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
REMEMBERING ANNE BALL
ll of us at Family Centers fondly remember Anne
Firestone Ball, who unexpectedly passed away in
April. For more than 20 years, Anne was an integral part
of the organization and was a tireless advocate for the
services provided to more than 25,000 children, families
and adults in lower Fairfield County annually.
A
Anne joined the Family Centers’ Board of Directors in
1992 and co-chaired the first of the agency’s successful
Circus benefits in 1994. In 1996, she served as Board
Secretary and assumed the role of Chairman in 2000 –
a post she held for four terms. Anne was an active
member of numerous agency committees and was
~ I N M E M O RY O F ~
Anne Firestone Ball
Andrea and Bob Arnold
John P. Birkelund
The Blessington Family
Anna E. Bull
Ashley Burkert
Sandra and Arlan Burkert
Joan and Perry Burns
Ann and John Caron
Richard L. Cosnotti
Mildred Cross
Lucy and Nat Day
Patricia Dillon
Helen and Bruce Dixon
Diane E. Firestone
John Firestone
Stephanie and
Lawrence Flinn, Jr.
Jane and Steve Frank
Darcy and Dan Frisch
Elise and Greg Green
William Gruver
Judy Higgins
Alice and Chris Holbrook
Anne and David Juge
Cary and Mike Keigher
Barbara and William King
Kathleen and Thomas Knight
Lone Pine Capital
Muffie and Bill Lynch
Sally and Alex Lynch
Janet and Don Marchand
Donald Marsden
Josh McCall
Charlotte and Jim McGee
Judy and Tom Melly
Anne and Jens Milling
Edwina and John Millington
Charlotte Minor
Janice Mohamed
Anne and Charles Mott
Jane Murkland
Carrie Pauley
Peter S. Pauley
Mimi Pivirotto
Marie Roberts
Sarane Ross
Mimi Simpkins
instrumental in the
planning of Family
Centers’ most successful
special events.
For her unyielding
commitment to Family Centers and its
clients, Anne was awarded the 1998 Helen Gratz
Rockefeller Outstanding Volunteerism Award – the organization’s highest honor recognizing volunteer service.
Anne’s incredible wit, passion and leadership have left
an indelible impact on us all.
~ IN HONOR OF ~
Kathy and Peter Skaperdas
Sandra and Richey Smith
Lisa and David Tuttle
Happy and Archie van Beuren
Marie and Adie von Gontard
Bunny Weicker
Lizora Yonce
Logan Yonce
Ellen Bromley & Tom Gizicki
Barbara Rosenberg and Jacob Skydel
William Barbe
Lissa Bentley and
Matthew Levy
Jane Valenstein
Anonymous
Margaret Christenson
James and Carol Christenson
Richard F. Daly
Claire M. Daly
Cory Donnalley
Laurel A. Forst
Doris & Michael Griff
Barbara Rosenberg and
Jacob Skydel
Hyacinthe K. Hoffman
Carol and Will Browne
Joan M. Bryson
Rosalie Klein and
Lawrence Cohen
Cuddy & Feder LLP
Trish Dayan
Marilyn and Irving Goldblum
Shelley Singer and
Michael Gross
Fang Huang
Barry E. Long
Isabelle and Peter Malkin
Harley and Stephen Osman
Leslee and David Rogath
Linda E. Simon
Kitty and Ben Wafle
Stig Host
Ginny and Sean Day
Margaret and Chris Sinclair
Stanley Rosenberg
Barbara Rosenberg and
Jacob Skydel
Samuel McC. Yonce
Logan Yonce
New Canaan Community
Foundation Offers Support
Susan Evans
Linda D. Applegarth
Wendy & Richard Hokin
Jan and Chip Raymond
Leslie Sexer
Beth and Jonathan Kern
Louise Vanderlip
Alease Fisher Tallman
~ GIFTS IN HONOR OF ~
BILL BRUCKER’S
VERMONT CITY
M A R AT H O N
Bernice Braccia
William Brucker
Leigh & Ben Carpenter
Rita Conte
Lisa Dianis
Anne & Carl Goodnow
Helma Gregorich
Merrilou & Justin Hillenbrand
Family Centers’ Vice President Jim Vivier and Lindsey
Heron, Vice President of Distributions of the New
Canaan Community Foundation.
The New Canaan Community
Foundation (NCCF) recently awarded
Family Centers with a $17,000 grant to
support the agency’s human service,
health and education programs in New
Canaan and the surrounding communities.
Keno Graphic Services
Megan Lipset
Stephanie Moravek
William Pollack
Marisol Rivera
Mary Ann Slabek
Mimi & Marc Tabah
James Tenret
Dennis Torres
The New Canaan Community
Foundation has been a longtime supporter of Family Centers, having funded several programs that fall under the
Fostering Independence and Families
in Crisis Centers of Excellence, as well
as several capital projects. The
NCCF’s Young Philanthropists Fund
has also supported the Young Parents
Program and the Housing Resource
Program in years past.
11
Gatsby Glamour Comes to Greenwich for Annual Benefit
For its annual benefit on May 31, Family Centers transport-
motif, an antique bar and a lounge outfitted with vintage
ed more than 450 guests back to a time when jazz music
furniture and an ice sculpture. As guests enjoyed a sit-down
filled the air, flapper dancers were all the rage and ele-
dinner prepared by Food Design, they enjoyed 20’s and 30’s
gance was always in fashion.
standards performed by the Marianne Bennett Orchestra.
Following an energized show from professional
Held at the waterfront home of Laurie and Peter Grauer,
Charleston dancers,
Family Centers’ “Gatsby on the Sound” benefit captured
guests danced the night
the essence of the classic novel, The Great Gatsby, and
away to the sounds of
brought a slice of West Egg to Greenwich.
hits from the 1950’s
through today.
Co-chairs Laurie Grauer and Brooke Ashforth created an
unforgettable evening straight from the pages of F. Scott
“Gatsby on the Sound”
Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece. During the event’s cocktail
was Family Centers’ largest
reception, guests sipped on signature drinks called “The
fundraiser of the year, and
Daisy” and were entertained by a three-piece ragtime
raised more than $650,000
band, a strolling magician and a cigarette girl.
for the agency’s human service,
health and education programs.
Drawing on Jay Gatsby’s lavish parties for inspiration,
the tented dining area featured a white, black and silver
Photo above: Kiersten Salander, Laurie
Grauer, Tory Grauer and Avery Broadbent.
Photo below: Tom and Brooke Ashforth
For more event photos and a list of our generous sponsors, turn to pages 4-7.
Joan Melber Warburg
Early Childhood Center
Tel (203) 629-2822
Kids Corner Head Start
Tel (203) 869-2730
First Steps Head Start/School Readiness
Tel (203) 522-0633
Gateway Preschool
Tel (203) 531-8430
Early Childhood Education
& Head Start Preschools
Family Centers –
Stamford Government Center
Tel (203) 977-4939
Center for HOPE
Tel (203) 655-4693
Family Centers Stamford
Tel (203) 324-3167
Family Centers Darien/New Canaan
Tel (203) 655-0547 / Tel (203) 972-0556
Family Centers Greenwich
Tel (203) 629-2822
Family Centers’ Executive Offices,
& Arch Street Preschool
40 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT 06830
Tel (203) 869-4848
www.familycenters.org
Contact us
Follow us on:
40 Arch Street, P.O. Box 7550
Greenwich, CT 06836-7550
F MILY
CENTERS
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Bridgeport, CT
Permit No. 347