Summer 2007

GrowingUp
Autumn
2007
NEWS
FROM
J E W I S H C H I L D CA R E A S S O C I AT I O N • E V E RY C H I L D D E S E RV E S T O G ROW U P H O PE F U L
JCCA’s Continuum of Care:
Living With Autism
Autism can leave young people isolated and their families
desperately struggling to find the resources that can help.
JCCA’s Compass Project is reaching out to young adults with
autism, giving them the tools they need to lead independent,
productive lives.
As diagnostic methods improve and
public awareness increases, more and
more young people are being diagnosed
with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD),
a scale that ranges from severe learning
disabilities to Asperger’s Syndrome.
Ametz
ADOPTION
Newsletter
and 2007-08
Ametz
Calendar
inside!
Jody Fox, seen here at her high school graduation, is gaining
independence at college thanks to the Compass Project.
Though estimates vary on how widespread
the condition has become, there is no doubt
my life.” At VIP, where JCCA’s Compass
In This Issue:
that for autistic children and their families,
Project provides services, Jody met
Continuum of Care 1
the journey to find appropriate support can
other Jewish college students. Through
be a long and difficult one.
Compass, there were social activities and
lots of counseling and support when she
Mental Health
and Preventive
Services
2
interactions, inability to communicate and
needed it. Now 22, Jody has moved into
CEO’s Letter
2
problems handling new situations—are
her own apartment and is getting a job.
Corporate Partners 3
The issues—difficulty with social
magnified when a young person with
Compass’s support for Jewish college-
special needs faces the challenges of
age young people and their parents and
starting college or even leaving home.
vocational preparation helps students
Often sheltered from potentially stressful
prepare for the work world. Social
situations, many haven’t developed the
social skills they need to successfully
function on their own.
For Sherrie Fox it’s a familiar story.
3
About Giving
4, 5
Foster Parenting
6
activities at Club Compass help build
Scholarships
6
critically needed socialization skills.
In Their Own Words7
Compass also reaches out to high school
students and their families, providing
From the beginning, she felt her daughter
early career assessment and counseling
Jody had developmental delays, but it took
to formulate a realistic plan for life after
years for an accurate diagnosis of ASD.
high school.
With help, Jody graduated from
JCCA Alumni
“Compass is essential in helping these
high school and community college. But
kids learn how to navigate the system,
for Jody, being part of the Vocational
and equally important, to give them a
Independence Program (VIP) at New
connection to other young Jewish adults
York Institute of Technology, where she
and to the Jewish community as a whole,”
continued, was the step that “changed
says Sherrie Fox.
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Family Day Care
7
Bukharian Teen
Lounge
8
2
Growing Up
MENTAL HEALTH AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES
Creating a Place to Grow
for High-Risk Teens
The first
explains JCCA’s Maryanne Sabatino, an
time Stephon
Administrative Supervisor at JCCA’s
Anderson, now
Mental Health and Preventive Services
20, felt that he
program, who led the team that developed
wasn’t alone, facing problems he couldn’t
GATE. “We looked at the cognitive,
handle, was his third GATE session.
emotional, physical and environmental
“I was having trouble with my dad, so
every teacher was someone to fight with.
I didn’t get the connection, but listening to
Richard Altman
A
Letter
from
the
CEO
s JCCA’s CEO, I lead an organization that believes every child
deserves to grow up hopeful.
In the last few years we have helped
factors in a teen’s life, and created GATE
hundreds of children and teenagers in
to promote development in each area.”
foster care-—children hoping desper-
Teens participate in a series of groups
ately to connect with a permanent fam-
other kids opening up, it started to hit me.
which grab their interest and provide
GATE was a safe place to begin to handle
a therapeutic milieu in which to reach
what was bothering us,” he recalls. “I am
important developmental goals for future
ers who never had a family they could
positive I would have ended up a drop-
success.
count on are now sons and daughters of
out, instead of looking ahead to college
graduation.”
JCCA’s GATE Program—Group
ily—find adoptive homes.
Hundreds of children and teenag-
Family support is critical; parents and
guardians attend monthly workshops on
adolescent behavior, often accompanying
parents who will be there for them for
as long as they live.
JCCA has a superb record of reunit-
Activities Toward Excellence—is for
teens on field trips. The goal: to help
ing foster children with their families
young people like Stephon who, vulnerable
parents understand their teens and foster
of origin and, when that is impossible,
to gang activity, teen parenthood, school
communication that leads to stronger,
helping them find permanent homes
truanting and drug use, often end up grim
better relationships.
through adoption.
urban statistics.
“Most of the destructive behavior
“GATE never felt like therapy to
JCCA’s Ametz Adoption Program
me—it took me years to realize that’s what
helps build families through adoption
you see in teens has to do with lack of
it was. All I knew was that I was finally
not only in this country, but interna-
attachment and continuity in their lives, so
where people cared and I wasn’t alone,”
tionally. Last year Ametz worked with
we needed to provide a safe place where
says Stephon, who hopes to go on to law
families to facilitate their adoptions and
they could be part of a positive group,”
school. “It really turned me around.”
helped many find support and guidance
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on their adoption journey. A toddler
from Ethiopia, 4-year-old twins from a
Russian orphanage and a newborn from
Texas are among the children adopted
by Ametz families.
I am proud of our record and filled
with admiration for the JCCA staff who
are so skilled and resourceful in this
extremely important part of our work.
When we say, “every child deserves
to grow up hopeful,” we mean it and
there is no better way to give hope to
children than to give them “forever
families.”
Top: Stephon Anderson’s graduation picture.
This picture: Some of the Brooklyn teens who participate in the GATE program.
Richard Altman
Chief Executive Officer
Growing Up
3
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Thank You, Goldman Sachs
an all-day outing
to the Coney
Island Aquarium.
The Teamworks
group was led by
Jason Brein and
Gary Espinoza,
Goldman Sachs Two
Together volunteers. Over the years,
many Goldman Sachs staffers have
volunteered for the after-school
tutoring program, which in 2006 they also voted to support with a
Two Together students appreciate marine life as they
pose in front of the Goldman Sachs-sponsored mural at
the Coney Island Aquarium.
generous grant.
The verdict on the Goldman Sachs volunteers?
“Awesome!”
T
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hanks to volunteers from Goldman Sachs, May was a very
special month at JCCA.
Resuming a long tradition of on-Campus volunteering, a group
of ten Goldman Sachs staffers journeyed to Pleasantville as part
of the firm’s Community Teamworks Project. Side by side with
youngsters from Edenwald, volunteers spent the day planting a
vegetable garden with their new young friends and then playing
soccer and having a BBQ.
Another Community Teamworks group of 12 volunteers took
Two Together young people injoying Coney Island.
25 youngsters from Two Together, JCCA’s tutoring program, on
Calling All JCCA Alumni!
A new portal on the JCCA
website is just for JCCA
alumni, their families and
former JCCA staff members
who worked with them.
Alumni who register—and
there are a growing number
of them from JCCA and its
predecessor agencies like the
Hebrew Orphan Asylum and
the Jewish Youth Services
of Brooklyn—can post their contact information, search for long-lost friends and be
contacted by other alumni. There’s also a Picture Gallery with photos of recent JCCA
Alumni events. Alumni can also post their photos and stories in the “Alumni Portal.”
A Hebrew Orphan Asylum outing to Bear
Mountain in 1923.
So, what are you waiting for? Log in to www.jccany.org/alumni and become part of the
Alumni Directory!
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4
Growing Up
ABOUT GIVING
itman and JCCA
Bl
Honoree Howard
an.
CEO Richard Altm
JCCA Supporters
“Celebrate Children”
JCCA celebrated 185 years of service to New York’s
children and families with a Benefit Gala last spring
that raised more than $900,000. More than 400 people—
including many of the dedicated volunteers, supporters
and Trustees whose commitment to JCCA spans years—
gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street for an evening devoted to
“Celebrating Children.” Trustee Howard N. Blitman was
presented with the Tikkun Olam Award for his remarkable
54 years of service by JCCA President Leonard Elman.
A highlight of this special evening was the wonderful
entertainment from young people in two JCCA programs:
the Children’s Choir from the Cottage Schools and the
Bukharian Teen Lounge Program, which performed an
interactive theater piece about their neighborhood. The
Helena Sokoloff, Dan and Carole Bura
ck and JCCA
Trustee Stephen Sokoloff in the main
dining room
at Cipriani.
crowd also heard from Michelle Jones, a JCCA foster
mother, who spoke about the challenges and joys of fosterparenthood and adoption. It was truly a night to remember!
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Malkie Schwartz, Yitzchak Shavit and his wife,
JCCA President-elect Barbara Salmanson.
ting
onard Elman presen
JCCA President Le
am Award.
Ol
n
ku
Tik
the
th
Howard Blitman wi
JCCA Trustee Brian Levine (center)
brought his friends, Craig Delizia (left)
and Stephen Thurer (right).
Growing Up
Event Chairs Barbara Mann, JCCA Board Chair, and Trustee
Stephen Gilberg, who heads the Fund Development committee,
introduced the program.
5
Howard Blitman posing with his wife,
Maureen, and
their grandchildren (l-r): Laura Wint
er, Yvette Segan,
Lizzie Winter and Noah Winter.
Richard Altman, JCCA’s CEO, with
Trustee Lawrence Stern and his wife Donna.
Jay and Eileen Bloom, left,
Caroline Tunis.
with Richard and
e Hamilton, Dean
Jennifer Macaulay, Suzann
ce Stern during the
Bru
Hamilton and Marsha and
.
cocktail reception
Michael Brown, Jeff Berkowitz and
Steven Starker.
The Campus Choir gave a wonderful
performance that brought the audience
to a standing ovation.
The table centerpieces contained
books, toys,
and sports gear that were later dona
ted to
kids throughout JCCA.
Photos: William I. Irwin
Growing Up
6
Foster Parenting
Saying Thanks to People Who Give All Year Round
B
eing a foster parent is a commit-
not always easy. JCCA’s annual Foster
ment of both time and love, and it’s
Appreciation Dinner is an opportunity to
thank the men and women who make such
a difference in a child’s life, providing the
stability and caring that young people need
to flourish and grow.
This year’s dinner brought together
nearly 200 people—foster parents and
their guests, JCCA staff and workers from
the Administration for Children’s Services
Smiles, flowers and balloons were
everywhere.
—who have one thing in common: their
dedication to the well-being of the children
Award for Excellence, presented annually
in their care.
to outstanding foster parents. Winners
It was a fabulous night of laughter,
Paul Torres, Vice President, Foster
Home Services, enjoyed the party as
much as the foster parents.
Scholarships
JCCA’s Scholarship
program receives
a special gift
Jewish Child Care Association
scholarships have funded the
schooling of future physicians,
attorneys, dog groomers, radio
operators, mechanics, chefs and
countless others. Young people
who have been in
JCCA’s care are eligible
to apply for scholarships
for post-high school
education and, every
year, dozens of
young adults attend
college or vocational
programs with
tuition supported
by JCCA.
this year were: Wanda Davis and Carmen
dancing, great food and some pretty amaz-
Gutierrez from the Bronx; and Magalie
ing raffle prizes. JCCA’s specially trained
Jean-Gilles and Fannie Wright from
foster parents care for over 500 children
Brooklyn. “We love what we do, but it’s
each year, making us one of New York
nice to have one night where it’s all about
City’s largest child care agencies.
us!” was how one foster mom summed up
The highlight of the evening was the
This year, there is an
the evening.
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support to create an endowed scholarship
fund. After Bondy’s untimely death,
important addition
Rick Safran, another HNOH alumnus,
to our scholarship
has enthusiastically carried on the drive,
program: the Reuben
urging alumni to “give something back”
Koftoff Memorial
to today’s children in JCCA’s care.
Scholarship Fund, a
The creators of the Fund demonstrate
new scholarship fund for JCCA youth, met
that others like them are not only
its goal of raising $100,000 to establish a
successful adults with families of their
permanent endowment.
own, but also remember and appreciate
Created six years ago by alumni of
The Hebrew National Orphan Home,
the community that helped raise them.
The founders of the Fund—the
a JCCA predecessor institution,
youngest is 68—have partnered with
the Fund honors Reuben Koftoff,
JCCA to ensure the sustainability of
former Executive Director of the
the Fund, and will award one more
orphanage, who did so much to help
young adult a year a modest scholarship.
the children in his care grow up
JCCA’s Scholarship Coordinator, who
hopeful. The original fundraising effort
oversees many scholarship programs for
was spearheaded by HNOH alumnus
JCCA youth, offers recipients academic
Tom Bondy, who realized after one
counseling and support services.
successful solicitation to alumni
that there was
enough
All because a group of JCCA alumni
wanted to give back so others can grow up
hopeful!
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Growing Up
IN MY OWN WORDS
At that moment, Carmen hugged me. I
Carlos Hernandez
never hug and have problems being affec-
JCCA was very proud to have eight winners in
the 9th Annual Child Welfare Fund’s Awards for
Youth In Foster Care essay contest. JCCA’s
Carlos Hernandez and Aquellah Mahdi were
among the five Grand Prize Winners. Other
Carlos Hernandez
7
tionate. This was the first time in my life I
cried in front of someone. I let her just hold
me while I cried and I felt at that moment
that I had someone who cared for me. I
finally felt important, loved and respected.
I began to spend more time at Carmen’s
JCCA winners were Dominick Freeman, Andre
house since things were not improving at
Davis, Jason Fields, Tiffany Rivera, Jeffrey Trepp
my home. I even spent my 19th birthday
and Sheneika Vernon. Below is the prize-win-
there. I decided I had to move out. My
ning essay written by Carlos Hernandez, 20.
former foster brother again encouraged
me to speak to Carmen about living there
“I was 18 and had nowhere to live. My
She figured out I was talking about myself
permanently. I figured she would reject
adoptive parents were there, but not really
and began to encourage me to go back to
the idea since she already had foster kids
there. I felt like an outsider with no reason
the agency and explain the situation. At
and would not be getting money for me.
for me to stay. I did anything to stay out
first, I felt she was saying what everyone
But I did it and as soon as the words were
of the house. The only time I felt relaxed
else was saying, but I listened. I met with
out of my mouth, she opened her arms and
was when everyone was asleep. My grades
the agency, and my adoptive parents and
welcomed me into her home.
started to slip and eventually I stopped
we wrote a contract that would hopefully
going to school.
make the situation improve. We agreed I
son. It’s my home. She encourages me
One day, one of my former foster broth-
For the past year, I’ve been Carmen’s
would go back to school, get a job and keep
to become an adult, and at the same time
ers asked me to visit his new foster home.
curfew, but my adoptive parents didn’t
lets me know her home is always open
I was impressed—everyone was relaxing,
have any responsibility in the contract.
to me. I can’t believe how lucky I have
watching TV, eating, talking and joking.
After the meeting, I went to Carmen’s
been to have Carmen in my life and have
I instantly felt at home. The next day, I
house to tell her what happened, feeling
her stick by me. Every youth in care
went back and told his foster mother, Car-
mad and depressed. I began to break down,
should have somebody like Carmen.”
men, my story, but in the “third person.”
feeling upset and numb at the same time.
jccany.org
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FAMILY DAY CARE
JCCA Family Day Care
Comes to Staten Island
Providing family day care that parents can trust has been
an important JCCA service since the 1950s. The only Jewish
family day care program in New York, JCCA now cares for 700
children, aged six weeks to six years, ensuring that they not
Rabbi Ivry (left) hangs the mezuzah while kids play.
only receive the warmth and love they need to grow, but the
screenings and ongoing monitoring to determine issues that
need to be addressed.
Traditionally serving families—many of them new
Ivry hung a mezuzah on the new JCCA Staten Island Family
Day Care offices. Rabbi Ivry’s wife is one of more than 130 JCCA
immigrants—in Brooklyn and Queens, JCCA formally expanded
family day care providers who are trained and licensed, and given
family day care to Staten Island when it became increasingly
continual support and supervision. For many new immigrants,
apparent that the need existed in its Jewish community.
becoming a family day care provider is both an entrepreneurial
On May 16, a group of parents, family day care providers and
community representatives were on hand when Rabbi Yochanan
opportunity and a way to remain at home with their own children.
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Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
Paid
New York, NY
Permit No. 757
Jewish Child Care Association Inc.
Every Child Deserves to Grow Up Hopeful
120 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005
www.jccany.org jcca@jccany.org 212-425-3333
Ametz Adoption Program
Early Childhood Programs
Edenwald Center
Education Programs
Family Development
Programs
Foster Homes
Group Homes
Mental Health Clinic
Pleasantville
Cottage School
Pleasantville
Diagnostic Center
Preventive Services
Leonard S. Elman
President
Barbara Salmanson
President Elect
Barbara B. Mann
Chair of the Board
Stephen I. Gilberg
Chair, Fund Development Committee
Judith Messina
Chair, Communications and Marketing Committee
Richard Altman
Chief Executive Officer
Mark A. Edelman
Vice President, Fund Development
Jane Barowitz
Vice President, Communications and Marketing
Editorial Board
Kathy Brodsky, Robert Cizma, Denis Gufarotti, Keturah Pierre,
Debby Perelmuter, Rick Safran, Gelah Penn, Anna Gold
Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies
Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies
Council on Accreditation of Services
for Families and Children
Bukharian Teen Lounge
What They Did On Their Summer Vacations
22 high school students, most of them
Yuliya is also in the political arena
fluent in English and Russian and eager
lending a hand in Congressman Anthony
to leap into the world of work, who
Weiner’s Office.
are working in summer internships
The Teen Lounge internships are
through the Bukharian Teen Lounge,
funded primarily by JCCA with help from
JCCA’s afterschool program for Russian-
FJC—A Foundation for Philanthropic
speaking youth from the former Soviet
Funds.
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Union. “Summer internships
really expand their ideas about
Rina and Osnat are interning with the
Queens District Attorney.
R
ina and Osnat are working in the
office of the Queens DA—a perfect
what they can do and be,” says
Debby Perelmuter, JCCA’s Vice
President for Services to the
Jewish Community.
For the third year running,
placement for these two aspiring attorneys.
JCCA’s Bukharian Teen Lounge
Rina explains, “I want to go to law school
has placed interns in the office
and I can see better what it is really like to
of City Council Member Melinda
be a lawyer.” As interns they not only help
Katz. This year, Dina has an
out around the DA’s office, but also spend
opportunity to see the government
time in the courtroom getting an inside
at work on a neighborhood level,
look at our judicial system.
and is also invited to attend
These two teenagers are among the
meetings and events at City Hall.
In 2006, Congressman Anthony Weiner visited
the Lounge. Now a JCCA teen is interning in
his office.