where kids get help - Childrens Center of Hamden

T h e N e w s le t t e r o f T h e Ch i ld r e n ’s Ce n t e r o f Ha m d e n
1400 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06517
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Phone: 203-248-2116
Fax: 203-248-9339
www.tccoh.org
New Haven, CT
Permit No.1568
Since
1833
WHERE KIDS GET HELP
A note from Dan Lyga, CEO
I feel very confident in asserting that one essential characteristic of any successful organization whose history spans more than 180 years has to be flexibility!
It has been The Children’s Center of Hamden’s capacity for flexibility that continues to serve us well as we adapt to the ever changing landscape that accompanies providing behavioral health care to children and families in our community and our State. A recent example of this has been our creation and implementation of a comprehensive aftercare component that follows our youth
upon discharge from our residential substance abuse unit (New Choices) and
our behavioral health residential program. For some time a concern has existed
that the gains achieved while residing in one of our intensive residential treatment programs may erode following a
youth’s return to their community. This new innovative service now provides a “bridge” which enables our staff to
remain involved with a youth and family for up to 4 months following their discharge from one of these residential
settings. Initial follow-up data indicate that this service has been extremely successful in supporting our youth and
families in maintaining the growth and skills they acquired and thus enables a smoother transition back to their
community. Thank you to The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Court Support Services Division
(CSSD) for their administrative and fiscal support of this initiative.
Mending Young Hearts and Minds
Since 1833
THE CHILDREN’S CENTER OF HAMDEN
W I N T E R /S P R I N G
2015
Following this extraordinary stubborn Winter our attention now turns to the anticipation of Summer and our preparation and organization of our Summer Program. I want to extend a very special THANK YOU to the “Friends
of Jimmy Miller”, the “Netter Foundation”, and all our “Summer Stars” whose support we rely on to make our
Summer Program possible. Thanks to your support we are able to provide a very comprehensive program to our
youth which includes our Summer Camp, a Summer Work Program for our adolescent youth, and participation in a
very popular Therapeutic Horseback Riding program. Again, thank you to all!!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Krista Hart, President
Claudia Grantham,
Vice President
Tina Garrity, Secretary
John Cuozzo, Treasurer
Sharlene Adams
Elizabeth Bacon
Stearns J. Bryant, Jr.
John Caldarella, Jr.
Kent W. Crook
Emily Fasano
David Ladd
Leonard Matteo, Jr.
Susan Netter
Christine Patella
Jane Tendler
John Watts
www.tccoh.org
try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.
YOUR CARING HELPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Charitable Bequests
H When creating your last will and testament, including general
O or specific bequest language for gifts large and small
W bequeathed to The Children’s Center will help us continue to
make a difference in the community.
Y Easy Way To Send a Gift
O Consider making a contribution by credit card. Visit our
U website at www.childrenscenterhamden.org. Under “Make a
PLEASE consider becoming a SUMMER STAR.
Your donation of $100 will provide employment skills
and recreational and cultural experiences to one child
over the summer break. This program is an important
component of our therapeutic treatment designed to
Contribution” you can secure an on line form using PayPal.
enhance our children’s well-being, self-esteem and to
C Matching Gifts
help them become responsible citizens when they
A Many large companies have a program that will match their eventually move back into their community.
N employees donation to a charitable organization. Please consider this opportune way to double the value of your donaH tion.
E In Honor or Memory of
L Having a birthday, special anniversary, want to remember a
P loved one or to recognize a friend? A donation in their name
is a wonderful way to give a gift.
The Children’s Center of Hamden
is a private non-profit organization supported by
the Department of Children and Families and charitable
contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations.
Inquiries, contributions or donations may be directed to: Diane Bell Surprenant, Director of Personnel & Development (203) 248-2116, ext. 266
email: [email protected]
THE FRIENDS OF JIMMY MILLER
SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN
Dominic Schioppo and Jimmy Miller present a check to CEO,
Dan Lyga for $25,000 from proceeds of The Friends of Jimmy
Miller dinner. The dinner, held in December, is an annual event
that raises funds for kids in crisis, supporting several organizations that provide services for children in need. These funds will
support our Work and Horses For Healing Programs. We are
grateful to The Friends of Jimmy Miller for their caring and in
helping to make a difference in the lives of children.
THE IKEA LIFE IMPROVEMENT CHALLENGE
ON!!
WE W
The Children’s Center of Hamden was awarded a complete IKEA makeover
from the New Haven IKEA store that will enable a re-design of Wakeman
Hall Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Program.
Each year, IKEA receives many inspiring proposals from IKEA co-workers
as candidates for the campaign. Then the IKEA steering committee at each
store selects up to three organizations for co-workers and customers to vote
online (this year’s voting period was Feb. 15 to March 2). The charitable organization from each store market, with the highest number of online votes
became the winner. Thank you to all who voted for us!! We could not have
done it without your support.
Shown left Sarah Lockery, Chief Administrator of Community Services and
Abigail Tischler, Clinical Therapist, are excited about the design ideas that
IKEA designer Jessica Burke is drawing up. Elizabeth (Libby) Dowd, Local
Marketing Specialist at IKEA was instrumental in nominating The Center to
compete in the challenge. The project will be completed by July and we look
forward to the outcome. Look for our before and after photos.
WANTED—SPONSORS!
PLEASE JOIN US!
2015 GOLF CLASSIC
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
NEW HAVEN
COUNTRY CLUB
11:30 Registration
BBQ Lunch
12:30 p.m. Shotgun
Followed by Hors d’Oeuvres,
Raffle, and Cocktails
Contact Diane Surprenant for
sponsorship opportunities
[email protected]
W H E R E KI D S G E T H EL P
A blessed holiday! We are grateful to have so many
wonderful friends in the community who gave from
their hearts!
Below are photos of just a few of our friends.
E
ISTS AR
L
H
S
I
W
ILLED
FULLF
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR
TO
CLEAN OUT AND
DE-CLUTTER
W H E R E KI D S G E T H EL P
(left) Cheryl Smith receives gifts
from Diane Popolizio of The
Popolozio Team in Guilford.
(right) Family tradition! Debbie,
Olivia, Brooke, and Amanda
Stenick purchased gifts for five
of our Residential children.
UNITAS AND COMMUNITY DONORS
SUPPORT COTTAGE GIFTS
Cottage “wish lists” are
fulfilled by donations
from Unitas and community support. During the evening of the
children’s Christmas dinner, numerous gifts
for the cottages are unveiled. The gifts are
enjoyed throughout the year. (left) Our
Board of Director members John Caldarella and Len Matteo look on as Justin
Matteo, President of Unitas present a check
to Dan Lyga.
(above) St. Mary's Church in New Haven supported a
giving tree that fulfilled wish lists for the residential
children. Delivery was made by Mike Tortora and
Chris Neumann. (left)
Elves Ginny & Ray
DeMeola, Ella & Mike
Matteo and Joan &
Bob Moore represent
St. Barnabas Church of
North Haven. Parishioners were very generous with their giving.
CHAZ & AJ WPLR TOY
DRIVE
Chaz & AJ, WPLR morning show hosts, broadcast live from
Webster Theater at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. The toy
drive attracted numerous listeners, elected officials and fans.
The success of the toy drive gets better and better each year.
The children did not go without! Individuals and businesses
were generous in their contribution of toys and monetary
donations. We are grateful to be one of the recipients of the
listeners’ generosity. (left ) Volunteers Anna Sabatino, Office
Manager and Cheryl Smith, Administrator of Residential
Programs take time for a photo op with Chaz and AJ.
(above) Carl Caponera representing UPS
employees nominated The Center to be
the recipients of an amazing variety of
toys, gift cards and cash collected from
both their employees and clients. (right)
Christmas Tradition! An 11th annual
benefit concert for the Agency was held
at Outer Space in Hamden. Rob Glassman received a collection of toys and
cash from those in attendance.
(right) Thank you to Eileen Lopez-
Cordone who orchestrated donations
from employees at UIL Holdings Corporation. A variety of toys, crafts, sports
balls, and games were collected and
delivered for the holiday.
(right) Dr. Robert Denes’s Chiropractic
Health Center of Hamden, Yoga Center
and Massage on Whitney had a giving
tree for their clients that resulted in numerous gifts for our children in need.
(left) SARAH Inc. of Branford collected
gifts from their clients and staff to donate to our children. Shown are SARAH
employees, John-Michael McKittrick,
Program Manager and Sandy Hadland,
Direct Support Professional.
www.tccoh.org
EOPLE
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E SP
KIDS AR
Your support helps bring exciting new experiences each
day for the children and youth that we serve. Educational,
cultural and therapeutic opportunities help them to be
happy and find personal success…making tomorrow a
much better place.
KIDS COTTAGE TRANSITIONS TO NEW PROGRAM
Kids Cottage is a Short-Term Family Integrated Treatment program (S-FIT) in a
homelike setting providing short-term (15 day) intensive family, group and individual treatment for youth, boys and girls, 12-17 years of age who may be at risk
of disrupting from community care including foster homes. Youth are referred to
the S-FIT program by DCF and other health care providers to address behavioral
health problems or those requiring brief out of home treatment. Kids Cottage
provides interventions aimed towards assessing, stabilizing and strengthening
youth and their family in order to ensure successful reintegration of the youth
back into their home. Individual, family therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, milieu treatment, case management, aftercare, day long and overnight respite
care are provided by trained clinical and childcare staff to youth and their family
served by the Program.
For more information contact Lora Small, LCSW, x265
WAKEMAN HALL OUTPATIENT
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
203.248.2116, ext. 308
Do you know a teenager who uses alcohol or drugs?
Maybe you are a teen who is drinking or using drugs. Maybe you are a
friend or family member who has concerns about a teen. Trying drugs
and alcohol is common, but can lead to more problems when someone
has other life concerns. While there are thousands of teens in CT who
are using drugs it is natural for them and their families to feel uncomfortable getting help.
We provide confidential services to the greater New Haven area and
can help you make positive changes, no matter how big or small! We
offer individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and support in
your community. Most insurance plans are accepted and we have a
sliding-fee scale.
DONATE YOUR GENTLY
USED ITEMS
The Children’s Center of Hamden
continues to partner with Helping Hands Community Thrift
Store & Furniture Bank. Donate your items and designate the
item to be credited to The Children’s Center. When that item
is sold we receive 12% of the sale price.
There is free furniture pick up in the Greater New Haven
area. Helping Hands has two locations. 77 State Street, North
Haven and 334 Boston Post Road, Orange. You can reach
them at (203) 298-0499.
Visit their website for more information and a listing of donated items that they accept: www.helpinghandsctfb.com.
FROM AN ALUMNI…
No judgments only support.
WAKEMAN HALL OUTPATIENT
COLLABORATES WITH NEW HAVEN YOUTHSTAT
In response to the city of New Haven’s concerns about street violence,
Mayor Harp has developed YouthSTAT, an initiative to increase collaboration between schools, city officials, and community partners to identify atrisk students and address their needs. Recently, Wakeman Hall Outpatient
Substance Abuse Treatment was added as a YouthSTAT collaborator and
will have an active role in helping make our community more connected
and safe. When an at-risk student is identified through a school or community partner, they can be enrolled in YouthSTAT so that educators, law
enforcement personnel, social service providers, community organizations,
and officials from other local and state agencies can create individualized
plans to meet the student’s needs and help them achieve success. Information such as: attendance, school suspensions, grades, arrests, student’s
strengths and interests will be used to assist the creation of the comprehensive care plans. The Wakeman Hall Outpatient Program is excited to
use our expertise in substance use to work together with other providers,
identify needs, and provide suggestions for interventions that may be
missed otherwise.
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY
(left) Thanks to Quinnipiac University vol-
unteer members of Sigma Phi Epsilon!! February saw 30 volunteers who did a tremendous job painting several rooms, cleaning
the attic in the Student Center and the basement of Wakeman Hall.
(right) The Big Event, an annual project,
brings community service volunteers from
Quinnipiac University to the campus to assist our maintenance team. Grounds were
raked, sand from the winter was removed
and pansies were planted. Great job! We
look forward to the Big Event 2016.
www.tccoh.org