Family Services of the Merrimack Valley
Transcription
Family Services of the Merrimack Valley
Family FOCUS Newsletter of Family Service, Inc. Helping People Live Positive and Productive Lives...Since 1854 Tribute to Mentoring Friendship and trust are two of the most important things for all children to have in their lives. Family Service’s Big Friends Little Friends program matches kids throughout the Merrimack Valley with positive adult role models. In many cases, like the story of Jami and Jennifer, it becomes a lifelong, transformative relationship. This is dedicated to my “Big Sister” Jami... Hello my name is Jennifer Fish. I was matched on May 4, 1994 to my Big Sister Jami Shamberger. I was eight years old and I can still remember our very first “I am the woman I am today outing. Jami took me because of Jami and I couldn’t to McDonalds for lunch imagine not having her in my and I got a Happy Meal. After lunch she took life. These past eighteen years me to a park were we have only been the start of a played for a couple of lifelong bond that cannot be hours on the swings and slides and monkey broken.” ~ Jennifer Fish bars. It was the start of a lifelong friendship. I remember holidays and birthdays, long summer days by the pool and trips to the movies. It didn’t take long for Jami and her family to see me as one of their own. I was no longer just a “Little” but truly a member of the family. She attended my Continued on Page 4 Summer 2012 Rhapsody Gala 2012 ~ A Derby Party! On May 4, 2012, Family Service hosted a sold out crowd for its annual Rhapsody Gala. Thank you to all who came and supported the organization. With the participation of hundreds of individuals and businesses, Family Service was able to raise over $110,000 – all of which will go to helping vulnerable children and families achieve self-sufficiency and reach their full potential. Event Committee (Top, Left to Right): Lori Howe, Judith Holt, Rosey Gonzalez, Ron Pollina, Laura Buonopane, Judy Reghitto, Liz Sweeney, Louann Basillio, Thyra Sherman, Sheryl Meehan, Debby Briggs. Not Shown: Leila Ghorashi, Beth Gruenberg, Lisa McDonald, and Aileen Peters Special thanks to our event Visionary Sponsors: Jennifer & Jami in 1996 (Left) soon after they were first matched, and 2012 (Right) at Jennifer’s bridal shower 430 North Canal Street Lawrence, MA 01840 Thank you also to our Leadership Sponsors: Eastern Bank, KPMG, LLP, Trinity Ambulance; and our Guiding Sponsors: DCU For Kids, Enterprise Bank, Howe Insurance Agency, Lawrence General Hospital, NetScout, and Polartec, LLC Tel 978-327-6600 See more photos on Page 2 Fax 978-327-6601 www.FamilyServiceInc.com com FOCUS: News from Family Service, Inc. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ron Pollina, President Kevin Reid, Vice President Paula King, Treasurer Richard Haak, Assistant Treasurer Joanne Quinlan-Roberts, Secretary Gary Sidell, Assistant Secretary Louann Basillio, Development Chair Kathleen A. Skala, Officer At-Large Nancy Kendrick, Officer At-Large Pedro Arce Tad Bickford Stephen DeSalvo Hope Fabiani Angel Garcia Andrew Girdwood Judith Holt Diane Huster Pedro Lara Connie LeMaitre Norah McCarthy Jay Raghavan Judith Reghitto Carol Reid Daniel Rivera Kate Garvin Rozzi Scott Weisenhoff Juan Yepez Noni Yount Page 2 Rhapsody Gala 2012... Continued Alan Collopy (L) and his mentee Liam EMERITUS Louise N. Breen Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Executive Director ADVISORY BOARD James Arnold Gregory Basillio Mary Jane Bausemer Danielle M. Bernier Yadira Betances Richard Blain Mat Bourgeois Laura Buonopane Deborah Burkholder Caroline Louise Cole Sharon K. Coon Eduardo Crespo Judy Cronin David Eckman Patricia Edmonds Debra Weiss Ford, Esq. Jack Geissert Leila Ghorashi Rev. Margaret Dwyer Goad Ken Hannan Susan Holzman Cynthia Kelly Joan Kulash Frederic B. Lowrie Richard K. Mallen Trisha McCall Sheryl Meehan Maureen Nimmo Joseph Patterson Kerin E. Pintzopoulos Kathleen Potter Peter Reed Walter Reichert Sam Schneider Greg Shaw Thyra Sherman Mary Ellen Sullivan Richard Sumberg Lisa Torrisi Eszter Vajda John Weaver Photos (Top, Left to Right): Louann Basillio, Clint & Sue O’Brien, Douglas Percy, Liz Sweeney, Aileen Peters, Denise Wall, Kathleen & Ross Fenton, Greg & Ellen Sebasky, Karen Boskovie, Mary Fallon, Laura Buonopane, Judith Holt, Robin Shea, Thyra Sherman, Daryl Silva, Eszter Vajda, Richard & Kim Bass, Paul Stewart, Carl Mellin, Lora Stewart, Fran Mellin, Ron Hilbink and Kay Berthold Frishman Summer 2012 Page 3 Stand & Deliver Seniors Head to College Samaritans Celebrates 100th Training Family Service’s Stand & Deliver academic mentoring program has finished another year of helping Lawrence students achieve in school. And once again, the program has had great results. All of the program’s 30 graduating Seniors have been accepted to colleges and universities, including Penn State, Syracuse, UNH, Boston University, Pace University, Holy Cross and Union College, to name a few. Here’s what some of the graduates had to say about the program: Congratulations to Family Service’s Samaritans program, which recently completed its 100th training. With a grant from the State’s Department of Public Health, the Samaritans have been training “Gatekeepers” of older adults (individuals who come in regular contact with elders) on how to recognize and intervene with someone who may be at risk for suicide. Since being awarded the contract for this training in 2006, Family Service has trained over 1,200 gatekeepers. The training is mainly done by Mary Quinn, a licensed social worker here on staff at the Samaritans. “I can honestly say with a great big smile that this program has been one of the highlights of my life... Being with my mentor whom I have been with for four years now, has been an awesome experience.” ~ Yaritza P. “With my mentor, we were able to explore a whole new world when we talked about math...Homework became my new priority and I began loving math because of the wonderful things I was able to learn with my mentor.” ~ Anabelle P. “The Gatekeeper training provided by the Samaritians was invaluable. We all benefited from it and we have a greater understanding toward identifying older adults who might be at risk for suicide.” ~ Kathleen Corey Rahme, Methuen Village “My mentor has helped me to not be afraid of being who I am and not giving up the things I love the most. He pushed me to the point that I had to step it up and give it all I had, like conquering my fear to reach the impossible.” ~ Elizabeth C. “I know this program has taught me so much and now its time for me to use everything that I have learned and become a man myself, and finish college and get a career.” ~ Joshua M. (Left to Right): Debbie Helms, Samaritans of Merrimack Valley Program Coordinator, Mary Quinn, LICSW, Training Coordinator, Nina McDowell, AmeriCorps VISTA/Volunteer Coordinator, Kim O’Brien, Training Facilitator Fond Farewell Scenes from the 2012 Stand & Deliver program, including (top left) program graduates wearing their college t-shirts Good Luck Next Year! Family Service is very sad to share the news that it has lost one of its closest friends and most generous supporters. Dorothy Hammond was a member of the Board of Directors beginning in the 1980s and the Board President from 1988 to 1990. In addition to her support as a board member, Dorothy was one of the organization’s most generous supporters, giving the leadership gift in 2000 that enabled Family Service to purchase and renovate the building it now calls home. She will be sorely missed. FOCUS: News from Family Service, Inc. Page 4 Greater Lawrence Young Professionals Mentor for a Day Fifty people attended Family Service’s most recent “Mentor for a Day” event hosted by the Greater Lawrence Young Professionals Network (GLYPN) on May 19, 2012. GLYPN is an organization of young professionals in the Greater Lawrence community who are dedicated to giving back and bringing attention to all the good that goes on here. Mentor for a Day events are held quarterly by Family Service’s mentoring programs to give potential mentors the opportunity to meet some of the kids on the waiting list and share at least one day with a young person. The GLYPN Mentor for a Day event was held at the South Lawrence East School. The matches played kickball, softball, ate lunch donated by Panera and decorated “dream boards” highlighting their dreams for the future. The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time! Thank you to Francina Victoria, Aide to Senator Barry Finegold, for organizing the event. “As a Community Outreach Aide for Senator Barry Finegold, I understand the importance of collaboration, communication and leadership. Mentor for a Day was an opportunity for our office to connect and learn from the youth of Lawrence. Appreciating and recognizing the potential of our youth is key in our desire to create a more sustainable and unified community.” Family Service’s next Mentor for a Day event will be at Camp Otter on August 18, 2012. All are welcome! Anyone interested in attending, please call 978-327-6644. Tribute To Mentoring... Continued ...high school graduation and was a huge influence to my success as the youngest child in my family and only one of three girls to have graduated college. Now, eighteen years later we are still as close as ever. We still get together and reminisce about the old days, plan for the future, and laugh in the present. We have had eighteen years of amazing memories and lifetime of laughs. It is all thanks to the match from the Big Friends Little Friends that put us in each other’s lives. I am the woman I am today because of Jami and I couldn’t imagine not having her in my life. These past eighteen years have only been the start of a lifelong bond that cannot be broken. “Chance made us friends, hearts made us sisters!” I would like to give a special thanks to the Big Friends Little Friends, a program that truly makes a difference. Sincerely, Jennifer Fish (Top, Left to Right) Yamin & Ariana, Pavel & Adriel, Jessica, Kevin & Jacob... all working on and displaying their “Dream Boards”, which highlight the kids’ dreams and aspirations for the future Summer 2012 CASA Celebrates 20th Anniversary with “Light of Hope” Vigil It was 20 years ago this past April that the Northern Essex County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program was first assigned by the Juvenile Court to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children. In the 20 years since it was founded, CASA has advocated for over 1,000 children. In all instances, CASA volunteers fight tirelessly to make sure that every child moves quickly through the child welfare system and into safe, nurturing and permanent homes. To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, and to bring attention to the plight of children in the foster care system, CASA held its first “Light of Hope” vigil at Merrimack College on April 9, 2012. Nearly 75 people joined us at that event to hold a candle representing the children who have received, and who still need, a CASA Volunteer. Thank you to Senator Sue Tucker and Father Rick Piatt, of Merrimack College for sharing a few words with the attendees, and to Lori Martel, Kathleen Cook, Carolyn Koehler, Monique Greilich, and Carol Kelley for helping to organize the event. Page 5 Family Service’s Counseling Center Welcomes Dr. Caldwell Family Service is pleased to welcome Dr. Edgar Caldwell as the organization’s new Medical Director for its Counseling Center. Dr. Caldwell’s life in medicine began in Cardiopulmonary medicine research and clinical practice, which he practiced for about 30 years. However, a recognition of the lack of focus on the issues of mental health led him to complete an additional residency training at Maine Medical Center in both adult and child psychiatry. Dr. Caldwell is a wonderful addition to Family Service’s Counseling Center, which provides professional and compassionate treatment to individuals, children and families struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress, or life transitions. The Counseling Center is currently accepting new clients. Call 978-327-6600. Family Service Awarded Grant from Dept. of Public Health Teenage pregnancy prevention remains a primary focus for Family Service. When a young woman becomes pregnant in her teenage years, her prospects for school completion, economic security and overall health declines dramatically. In addition, outcomes for the children of teen parents are very troubling. The state and federal governments are investing in teenage pregnancy prevention because it is, as the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention calls it, a “winnable battle”. Through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Family Service has been awarded a “Personal Responsibility Education Program” (PREP) grant. The goal of PREP the program is to promote healthy behavior, responsible decisionmaking and increased opportunities for high risk youth, and ultimately, give them the knowledge and skills to avoid pregnancy until adulthood. Top Left to Right: Nurilys, Ilia and Noemi, from Central Catholic High School, sing “This Little Light of Mine”; “I Am For the Child” Candles, Senator Sue Tucker speaks to the crowd before the walk Family Service will reach 100 youth annually through its PREP program, providing them with pregnancy prevention curricula and support services. PREP is going to be implemented in collaboration with the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club, Lawrence Public Schools, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center and the Lawrence Methuen Community Coalition. Help Us Rise to the Challenge Every day, Family Service helps children and families overcome incredible challenges. • While parenting a young child, Yadira graduated from high school with honors and is now attending college. She is involved in our Young Empowered Parents program. • Michael suffers with depression and post traumatic stress disorder. After faithfully attending our Fatherhood program, he is able to give his children nurturance and stability. • Dylan survived physical and emotional abuse. With the help of our CASA program, he now lives with a caring foster family who he calls his “new forever family.” Now, Family Service has a challenge of its own. We must raise $50,000 by 9/30/12 to continue helping people like Yadira, Michael, and Dylan. Brad & Noni Yount, two of the organization’s most generous benefactors, have stepped forward to help us realize this goal. The Younts will match one dollar for every two raised between now and 9/30/12 (up to $50,000). Help us rise to this challenge, so we can help others rise to theirs. By providing compassionate care, educational programming, and advocacy, more children and families will tell their stories of triumph. Please consider making a contribution to Family Service today. Thank you! YES! I want to help Family Service Rise to the Challenge! Please accept my gift of $ Name AddressEmail I have enclosed my check made payable to Family Service, Inc. Please charge my VISA MasterCard Name on Card Account # Exp. Date Signature I wish to remain anonymous Family Service also accepts online donations and recurring monthly gifts at www.familyserviceinc.com/giving Kindly return to: Family Service, Inc. 430 North Canal Street, Lawrence, MA 01840. Thank you! Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Lawrence, MA Permit #210 430 North Canal Street Lawrence, MA 01840 www.FamilyServiceInc.com Address Service Requested Family Service, Inc. is a member of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, Inc.