An Update for Friends of Franklin Community Center—Fall 2016
Transcription
An Update for Friends of Franklin Community Center—Fall 2016
“ W e Ar e M a k i n g A D i f f e r en c e ” An Update for Friends of Franklin Community Center—Fall 2016 Executive Director Kari Cushing Board of Directors Christopher Cook (President) Jason Lynch (Vice President) Andrew Ferrara (Treasurer) Matthew Riker (Secretary) Matthew Brobston Molly Bush Brian Corcoran Stephen CuttingMiller Karen D’Andrea George Igler Zachary Manz Marne Onderdonk Michael Russo Project Lift is growing again and we couldn’t be more excited! A little background for those of you who aren’t familiar with our program (wow, are you going to love this). Project Lift is a free, after-school prevention program run by Franklin that has been operating in the Saratoga Springs City School District since 1984. At Franklin we believe that youth hold the key to the future of our community and we work tirelessly to make sure that no one is ever overlooked, which is why this program is vital to our community. We were thrilled when the school district approached us wanting to expand for the 2015-2016 school year and last fall we added to our team and went into those four schools in full force. We made new friends, involved more families and really began carving our path. Shortly after, we were approached by an anonymous foundation who wanted to see the program go even further – they wanted all the Saratoga Springs public elementary school children and families to have the opportunity to attend Project Lift. With that being said, plans are underway to expand our services into all six elementary schools starting in October 2016. Our task…to place emphasis on positive youth development activities, raise self-esteem and the development of refusal, decision-making, problem solving, and communication skills to equip children with information they need to make healthy decisions on their own. We are ready for this challenge and are looking forward to moving our Family Outreach Educators into the schools full time. Their focus is to serve the entire family: to act as a guide, mentor, caseworker and advocate – to work with our Lift families to help them grow and develop new skills. With this stronger partnership between the Saratoga Springs City School District and Franklin Community Center we will be able to tighten up many of the gaps in service and together, we will make an even larger impact. Stay tuned to find out more about Project Lift and if you are looking to get involved just reach out – we have plenty of opportunities. Project Lift is funded in part by the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services and meets (and exceeds) all necessary requirements. For more information please visit our website. Franklin Community Center is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to our Board of Directors. Our new members are, Molly Bush, Assistant Controller at Informz, Inc. and Stephen Cutting-Miller, Senior Vice President at Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC A New (returning) Addition Franklin Community Center is excited to welcome Chloe Williams to the staff as Family Outreach Educator for Project Lift! Chloe is a graduate of Vassar College and brings with her experience working with youth and their families. Chloe is a familiar face around the office- she has been both a volunteer and an intern in years past. Don’t Forget: Donation day at our “free store” at 101 Washington Street is Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We will begin fall clothing in September and winter items in October. Small household items always needed. Food Items Needed: 100% fruit juice, raisins/dried fruit, applesauce (no sugar added), canned fruit, canned tomato products, brown/wild rice, rolled oats/plain instant oatmeal, whole grain pasta, quinoa/whole grains, cereal, cereal bars, canned tuna/chicken/salmon, dried beans, canned beans, nuts & seeds, peanut butter, coffee/tea, vegetable oil, powdered milk— regular/soy/almond, fresh meats & fish Together, we are making a difference. Rev. Drew Sperry Franklin Community Center l 10 Franklin Street l Saratoga Springs l NY l 12866 phone: (518) 587-9826 l fax: (518) 587-5293 email: info@FranklinCommunityCenter.org What’s Happened & What’s Happening! **PROJECT LIFT UNIVERSITY** will be held on October 13, 2016 at Longfellows Inn. Check out page 3... We are looking for donations of items to be auctioned off at Project Lift University. If you would like to donate, or know someone who would like to donate, contact Jaime. Our 18th Annual Franklin Open Golf Tournament was a huge success! We raised $20,000! Thanks to all who contributed. Our 2nd Annual Guest Bartender Evening was held on August 23rd at Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar—stay tuned to find out more. The food pantry has served 4,085 individuals between January—July 2016 and the number of people served monthly is up 18% . Franklin is hosting our Annual Halloween Costume Drive — we are collecting NOW at our main office. Our Holiday Assistance program is ready to go!! Please contact Lindsay Welsh if you are interested in learning more about how YOU can help a family over the holidays. Food Pantry hours: Monday—Wednesday 9am—2pm & Thursday 2pm—7pm. Donations accepted at the pantry during open hours or use our food drop bin when pantry is closed (drop bin is located just inside picket fence off Franklin Street). We are conducting a healthy food drive for the pantry—please see list on front page of current needs. Project Lift expansion— We are excited to offer Lift in all 6 of the public elementary schools and this year our Family Outreach Educators will be working directly out of the schools they will be serving. We will miss them at the office but are thrilled that we can work with the schools to provide such wrap around services. Project Lift collaborated with the school district on their new Summer Explorer Program—a new approach to turn traditional summer school into an experience that focuses on academics using hands on learning. Food Pantry Volunteers Needed!! Please make sure you check us out on Facebook, on Twitter (10FranklinSt) and now on Instagram too! Food Pantry Update Julie Slovic, Food Pantry Administrator Dear Friends, We are working hard to help families with food insecurities live a healthier lifestyle. Our hope is that by providing and promoting healthier options we can reduce chronic diseases for families and grant families access to the often pricey fruits and veggies found in today’s marketplace. We are working in collaboration with the National Garden Writers Association’s Plant A Row Project, coordinated through Sue DuBois, which encourages gardeners to grow a little extra and donate the produce to local pantries and soup kitchens. We have also launched a Free Produce Day which will run twice monthly May thru the end of growing season. The produce comes from our very own gardens, New York Regional Food Bank, the Food Pantries, local backyards and is made available for friends in need to take. With the help of our pantry and Wildwood volunteers the program has been successful. Eat Smart New York representative, Siobhan A’Hearn, attends as well to provide recipes, advice and ideas. We are currently conducting a “healthy” food drive. Please see the front page of the newsletter for items we are in need of. The success of our pantry relies heavily on the volunteers who help it run and we are always looking to grow that team. Please contact Julie@franklincommunitycenter.org for information on volunteering or donating. See page 3 for how you can help support Project Lift! Franklin Footnotes www.FranklinCommunityCenter.org 2 Fall 2016 Join Us For Project Lift University October 13, 2016 Longfellows Restaurant 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Enjoy live music, open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, auctions and mingling while supporting our after school prevention program, Project Lift $75 regular ticket / $140 pair / $50 junior ticket (under 30) Tickets can be purchased by phone, in person or on our website WWW.FRANKLINCOMMUNITYCENTER.ORG Entertainment Includes: Live music by Rich Ortiz Tarot Card & Numerology Check out our website at www.franklincommunitycenter.org for up-to-date information Here is our list of amazing sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Major Sponsors: AMERICAN NATURAL GAS CHRISTOPHER & MEGHAN COOK DA COLLINS COMPANIES DUNKIN DONUTS ESMI COMPANIES Franklin Footnotes FINGERPAINT POLYSET COMPANY INC FOUR WINDS SARATOGA SARATOGA NATIONAL BANK & TRUST HEALTHY LIVING MARKET & CAFÉ SARATOGA TODAY LONGFELLOWS INN TOWNE, RYAN & PARTNERS, P.C. LOOK TV TRISHA MILLIER PHOTOGRAPHY MINICH MACGREGOR WEALTH MANAGEMENT VERIZON www.FranklinCommunityCenter.org 3 Fall 2016 Presorted Standard US Postage PAID Saratoga Springs, NY Permit #208 Franklin Community Center, Inc. 10 Franklin Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 www.franklincommunitycenter.org info@franklincommunitycenter.org [p] 518-587-9826 [f] 518-587-5293 or current resident YOUR AD HERE! FANTASTIC ADVERTISING SPACE A GREAT WAY TO GIVE BACK Contact Jaime@franklincommunitycenter.org for details Project Lift was able to provide 71 weeks of camp to our Project Lifters for summer 2016. Thank you to all those who made these experiences possible! Summer camp memories provided courtesy of: Christopher Dailey Foundation, Saratoga Springs Rotary Club, YMCA Camp Chingachgook, Camp Little Notch, Saratoga Arts Council, All Stars Camp, Saratoga United Methodist Church, Skye Farm Camp, Skidmore Sports Camp, Camp Northwoods, Cutting Edge Martial Arts and Saratoga Children’s Theatre. Here’s what’s on our Project Lift Wish List as we gear up for back to school: School supplies (please visit our website for a list of needed supplies) Backpacks Individually wrapped snacks Small, “fun” items for the prize box (think stickers, silly putty, candy, jewelry, hacky sacks, gel pens, etc.) Long jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, fashion duct tape, small dry erase boards Children’s socks and underwear Previously loved (or new) children’s sporting equipment (including cleats) Halloween costumes Franklin Footnotes www.FranklinCommunityCenter.org 4 Fall 2016