Summer-Fall 2013

T h e N e w s le t t e r o f T h e C h i ld r e n ’s C e n t e r o f H a m d e n
Since
1833
SUMMER/FALL
2013
WHERE KIDS
GET HELP
From Tony Del Mastro, Chief Executive Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
This year The Children’s Center of Hamden celebrates 180 years of continuous community
service. Since its inception, tens of thousands of children and families have turned to this
organization for help. And loving help was provided, over and over and over again. Today,
Sharlene Adams, President
The Children’s Center of Hamden stands proud as an Agency that meets the emotional and
educational needs of youngsters in a manner that has met the standards of the Joint Commis- Krista Hart, Vice President
sion, behavioral health care accreditation since 1986.
John M. Cuozzo, Jr.,
On September 26th, The Children’s Center came together as a community to celebrate the
Agency’s long history. The gathering provided an opportunity for children, their families,
employees and Board of Directors to mingle, eat together and enjoy the festivities.
As I spoke to the nearly 300 in attendance, it made me proud to be a representative of the Agency and I listed the characteristics of
our community fulfilled:

The families and youngsters who are striving to be the best family and the best person they can be.

The many employees who have devoted their careers to helping others.

The Board of Directors who has kept the organization operating and focused on its mission through 2 centuries of change.
We look forward to many more years of offering services and to meet the changing needs of Connecticut’s children.
The Children’s Center of Hamden is a private non-profit organization supported by charitable
contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations.
Secretary
David Ladd, Treasurer
Elizabeth Bacon
Stearns J. Bryant, Jr.
John Caldarella, Jr.
Kent W. Crook
Emily Fasano
Tina Garrity
Claudia Grantham
Leonard Matteo, Jr.
Susan Netter
Christine Patella
Kathy Rasimas
John Watts
WHERE KIDS
G ET HE L P
We are grateful to have so many wonderful friends in the community who care!
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
THE FRIENDS OF JIMMY
MILLER dinner will be held on
December 3 at Anthony’s Oceanview Restaurant . Our portion of
the funds that we receive will help
benefit the youth in the summer
work program.
YOU ARE INVITED TO
OUR NON EVENT
180th
Birthday Celebration
No need to attend! We are celebrating the longevity of our 180
year old organization. Make a
donation to The Children’s Center
of Hamden for what you normally
spend at your typical fundraiser.
Stay home and enjoy your cake.
Check out our invite at
www.tccoh.org.
(above left) Quinnipiac University’s Helping Hands Day brought 11 volunteers from Sigma Phi Epsilon to the Agency to plant mums, weed gardens, clean the volleyball courts and do an all around
spruce up. (above right) Also from Quinnipiac, volunteers from the Honor Society for Greek Life
helped clean out the attic in one of our buildings and basement of boxes for of shredding.
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN
Head Basketball Coach Ted Hotaling (shown below)
with Dan Lyga, COO, brought his team to The Children's Center for a clinic with the children. Shown in
the photo (left) is Assistant Coach Tobe Carberry
explaining the fundamentals of the game.
CHRISTMAS STARS
Monetary donations of any
amount accepted to help our children and youth enjoy a festive
holiday season. Gift cards to Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Toys R
Us, Kohl’s and Visa are also helpful as the staff purchases gifts and
plan the holiday activities.
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY
MEN’S
BASKETBALL GAME
VS. FAIRFIELD
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 AT
8:30
The senior public relations class is
planning to have a raffle at the
game to benefit The Children’s
Center of Hamden. Bring the
family and show your support by
attending the game.
KAPPA DELTA’s national philanthropy is Prevent Child Abuse
America. They will hold an annual
Shamrock event to support The
Children’s Center of Hamden.
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Thank you to players and
sponsors for participating in
our 2013 Golf Classic. Unfortunately there was not much
we could do about the elements so the tournament was
officially canceled, However,
individual players were able to
participate in a round of golf
at a later date. Let’s hope
2014’s weather will cooperate.
www.tccoh.org
LUNCHEON & HORS D’OEUVRES
Stearns Bryant, Jr.
COCKTAILS/OPEN BAR
David Ladd
CART SPONSOR
CohnReznick LLP
SILVER SPONSORS
Halsey Associates, Inc.
Mutual of America
Wiggin & Dana, LLP
CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR
Edge Technology Services
Willis of CT
GREEN SPONSORS
Litchfield Builders, Inc.
TEE SPONSORS
The Cleaning Company, Inc.
Iron Workers Local 424
John A. Watts, CPA LLC
WHERE KIDS
G ET HE L P
Your support helps bring exciting new experiences
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.
SOME OF THE THERAPEUTIC RECREATION OUTINGS THAT
YOUR DONATIONS HELP SUPPORT
Philadelphia City; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Independence National Historic
Park; Mashantucket Pequot Museum; Mystic Aquarium; Mystic Town; Color Purple;
Wax Museum in New York City; Jets NFL Game, Medieval Times in New Jersey;
Boston Aquarium and Simons IMAX Theatre; Discovery Planetarium in Bridgeport;
Snowboarding and Skiing, Discovery Times Square Museum, Ringling Bros. and
Barnum & Bailey Circus, Harvard University and Ocean Beach
Trick or Treat!
Business Office Staff, Betsy,
Evelyn, Dianne, Bob and
Lydia, greet goblins, witches,
fairies and more. Lots of candy
and a special treat made by the
Hamden Woman’s Club.
OLD FASHION
SUN & FUN
Youth who are 14 and over in both Residential
Treatment and the START Programs participate
in the Summer Work Program. The program
strives to teach youth work ethics from time and
attendance, following direction from a Supervisor
in the work world to taking pride in their accomplishments. In addition to work projects on the
grounds of The Children’s Center of Hamden,
many of the work groups perform community
service and work in soup kitchens, at the Free
Store in New Haven and cleaning area parks. The
older youth have the opportunity to be Counselors-in-Training for the younger children in the
Summer Camp Program. The youth are encouraged to save money through an on grounds
banking system that provides opportunity for
youth to learn the art of budgeting.
Visit our website:
tccoh.org for the individual
program pages and samples of our success stories.
PROGRAMS PROVIDED
The at-risk children who are referred to us have a wide array of problems and issues with which to deal. That’s why The Children’s Center of Hamden
has an equally wide array of services to help them, including periodic visits, daily interactions, treatment in one of our specialized living units, and
many other options in between.
Crisis Stabilization (C.A.R.E.)
Therapeutic Group Home (Gate House)
Residential Treatment
Whitney Hall School
Safe Home (Kids Cottage)
Substance Abuse Residential Treatment (New Choices) Extended Day Treatment Clinical Day School
Acute Residential (S.T.A.R.T.)
Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment
ALUMNI NEWS
A former client discharged from our substance abuse treatment program called to let us know that, thanks to the program staff and what they
taught him, he has was able to recover from a relapse and learn from the experience. He’s now back on track with school, has reconnected with
family and his “true” friends. Most importantly, he is happy with his new life. He passed on advice to kids now in the program; “Take it seriously.
Don’t play around trying to beat the system. Listen to everything the staff is trying to teach you.”
www.tccoh.org
1400 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06517
Phone: 203-248-2116
Fax: 203-248-9339
www.tccoh.org
Mending Young Hearts and Minds
Since 1833
THE CHILDREN’S CENTER OF HAMDEN
Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of
praise or encouragement—and we will make the goal.
Jerome P. Fleishman
YOUR CARING HELPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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Charitable Bequests
When creating your last will and testament, including general
or specific bequest language for gifts large and small
bequeathed to The Children’s Center of Hamden will help us
continue to make a difference in the community.
Easy Way To Send a Gift
Consider making a contribution by credit card. Visit our
website at www.tccoh.org. Under “Make a Contribution” you
can secure an on line form using PayPal.
Matching Gifts
Many large companies have a program that will match their
employees donation to a charitable organization. Please consider this opportune way to double the value of your donation.
In Honor or Memory of
Having a birthday, special anniversary, want to remember a
loved one or to recognize a friend? A donation in their name
is a wonderful way to give a gift.
18% ADDS UP!
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 18% of
the sale price.
For furniture pick up in the Greater New Haven area please call
203-782-4800. Helping Hands stores are located at 77 State
Street, North Haven and 334 Boston Post Road, Orange. You
can reach them at (203) 691-5529 or (203) 298-0499.
Visit our website for donated items that they accept or:
www.helpinghandsctfb.com
Inquiries, contributions or donations may be directed to: Diane Bell Surprenant, Director of Personnel & Development (203) 248-2116, ext. 266
email: dbsurprenant@tccoh.org