Summer 2014 - Family Centers

EMPOWERING CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL
Employees Honored for
Exceptional Customer Service
THE NEWSLETTER OF FAMILY CENTERS | SUMMER 2014
Berkley and Alogna Named
“Family Champions”
oard member Marge Berkley and teacher Sharon Algona were
recognized as “Family Champions” by the Connecticut Council
of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA) for their outstanding commitment
to improving the lives of families.
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2014 CSI Ambassadors (l-r) Victoria Tapia, Michelle Krepak,
Steve Bozos, Jessica Herlihy and Karen Fallon
At its Town Hall Meeting on June 12, Family
Centers recognized five employees for customer
service excellence.
For consistently embodying Family Centers’ core
values and providing exceptional service to both
internal and external customers, IT Support
For more than 20 years, Marge has served in many capacities at Family
Centers – most notably as Board Chairman from 2008-2010. She has
also co-chaired numerous fundraisers, including the 14th Annual
Scrabble Challenge this past April. Under her leadership, Family
Centers has benefitted from a very successful business breakfast series
featuring such notable speakers as Federal Reserve Chairman Paul
Volcker, former Secreatry of State Henry Kissinger and CNBC anchor
Maria Bartiromo. Marge also co-chaired several “Circus” benefits and
currently sits on a number of advisory committees.
In addition to her duties on
the Family Centers Board,
Marge is an active volunteer
with the Nurturing Families
Network and leads socialization and support groups for
first-time parents living in
Stamford and Greenwich.
Specialist Steve Bozos, School Based Health
Center Office Support Specialist Karen Fallon,
RITE Program Coordinator Jessica Herlihy, Social
Worker Michelle Krepak and Office Manager
Victoria Tapia were named Family Centers’ 2014
“Customer Service Ambassadors”.
As part of an agency-wide customer service
initiative called CSI:FC, the annual Customer
Sharon first came to Family
Centers as a volunteer student
teacher three years ago, and
was hired full-time at the
2014 CCFSA Family Champions: Sharon Alogna (left)
and Marge Berkley
Joan Melber Warburg Early
Childhood Center once her
internship ended. She is now the primary teacher for a group of twoyear-olds, many of whom she has cared for since infancy.
Service Ambassador Award honors employees
who go above and beyond the call until customer
needs are met. Winners were nominated by fellow
Family Centers employees.
To parents, Sharon is a warm, welcoming presence in the classroom.
She makes parents feel exceptionally comfortable through her support and interactions – especially when they are new to a childcare
setting and anxious about leaving their child.
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W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Jane Fonda Offers Advice for Teens
at Family Centers’ Luncheon
s she was entering her self-proclaimed
“second act” in the 1990’s, Oscar-winning
actress Jane Fonda took a break from the profession that made her a household name. During
that time, Fonda put her energy into educating
teens and parents about adolescent sexuality
and development.
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is an important time – one in which young people begin to develop the identities that they are
likely to carry with them into adulthood. Fonda
also talked about her own teen years, and how
the challenges she overcame helped to shape the
person she is today.
“I have a real soft spot for teens,” Fonda said. “One
of my goals in life is to make that contagious.”
Determined to help young people navigate the
often difficult teen years, Fonda went on to
incorporate the Georgia Campaign for
Adolescent Power & Potential, and helped found
Emory University’s Jane Fonda Center for
Adolescent Reproductive Health. Her new book,
Being a Teen, explores this topic even further.
The luncheon, co-chaired by Ashley Allan, Leigh
Carpenter and Lauren Driscoll, raised $60,000 for
Family Centers’ programs offering health, education and counseling programs to Fairfield
County teens and adolescents.
In her keynote remarks at a benefit luncheon on
March 5 at the Greenwich Hyatt Regency, Fonda
told an audience of more than 300 that adolescence
Photos clockwise from top left: (l-r) Lauren Driscoll, Jane Fonda,
Ashley Allan and Leigh Carpenter; (l-r) Bridget Bucknall, Renee
Ketcham and Julie Graham; Jan Dilenschneider and Jane Fonda; (lr) Laurie Host, Marge Berkley and Jane Fonda; (l-r) Susan Evans
and Jeanne Host
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Arianna Huffington Stresses
The Importance of Balance
at Center for HOPE Luncheon
fter years of working
around the clock to
build the Huffington Post
into the Internet’s most
widely-read, linked to and
cited news sources, Arianna
Huffington collapsed in
2007 due to exhaustion and
lack of sleep. Left with a
broken cheekbone and a
serious eye injury,
Huffington used the accident as a wake-up call that
forced her to re-evaluate the
true meaning of success.
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During her remarks at the Center for HOPE Luncheon on
April 23, Huffington told an audience of more than 300 that
success is not measured by money and power alone. By
taking stock in one’s own well-being, wisdom, wonder and
ability to give, life can be more fulfilling.
The Luncheon, co-chaired by Jan Dilenschneider, Louise
Vanderlip and Terri Walker, raised more than $150,000 for
the Center for HOPE and The Den for Grieving Kids –
Family Centers’ critical illness and bereavement support
programs.
Photos clockwise from top left: Kristy Tarr, Rachel Reese and Jennifer O’Connor;
Marion Schmeelk and Joy Hunter Chaillou; Louise Vanderlip, Terri Walker, Arianna
Huffington and Jan Dilenschneider; Arianna Huffington and Laurie Host; Mimi
Tabah and Hazel Hobbs.
Barbara Netter Awarded “Ray of HOPE”
At its annual luncheon, the Center for HOPE honored
Barbara Netter with a Ray of HOPE Award for her work in
advancing gene therapy-based cancer treatments.
As the President of the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy
(ACGT) – a nonprofit organization she founded with her late
husband, Edward, in 2001 – Barbara has raised nearly $22.5
million for numerous gene therapy research initiatives
around the world. In addition to her work with ACGT,
Barbara has been involved with The Den for Grieving Kids
since 1998.
Bob Arnold and
Barbara Netter
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W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Wood Named Legislator
of the Year by CCFSA
ince joining the Connecticut House of
Representatives in 2008, Rep. Terrie Wood
has been a passionate supporter of programs and
services that enhance the lives of the state’s most
vulnerable children and families. In honor of
Terrie’s longstanding dedication, the Connecticut
Council of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA)
named her its 2014 Family Legislator of the Year.
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Clockwise from top left: Associate Board members Jamie Klein and Jillian Combis; Phil
O’Neill and Sam Roberts from Team Pitney Bowes plot their move; Todd Barmash and
Allison Dickens; Co-Chair Marge Berkley (center) presents Victoria Slater and Dianne
LaSala of The Stanwich School the “Schools Division” trophy.
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS’ SCRABBLE
CHALLENGE A “TRIPLE-WORD” SUCCESS
Terrie, who represents Darien and Norwalk in
the 141st General Assembly District, was nominated jointly by Family Centers and Family and
Children’s Agency (FCA). In addition to serving
as the ranking member of Connecticut’s Human
Services Committee, Terrie is an outspoken proponent of mental health first aid and helped
establish formal trainings to identify mental
health warning signs among children and adults.
She also co-chaired the Mental Health Working
Group, which was formed in the aftermath of the
Sandy Hook tragedy to review gun control and
school security policies.
More than 200 players and an additional 75 guests packed the
Greenwich Hyatt Regency on April 29 for Literacy Volunteers’ 14th
Annual Scrabble Challenge.
The event, which was co-chaired by Marge Berkley and Stewart
Terrie is also an active member of the Darien
community, and regularly volunteers her time to
support groups like the Community Fund of
Darien and Person-to-Person.
Brownlee, raised more than $90,000 to support Literacy Volunteers’
free English-language, literacy, writing instruction and education
services offered to residents of lower Fairfield County.
In addition to playing two rounds of Scrabble, attendees enjoyed
dinner, a testimonial from a Literacy Volunteers student and a raffle
featuring prizes like a weekend getaway to Lake Placid, a BMW
bicycle and premium New York Yankee tickets.
This year’s event also featured the introduction of the Scrabble
Challenge Cup – a champion’s trophy that was awarded to the winning teams in the Corporate and Schools divisions. Awards were also
presented to the winner of the Friends and Family division. Similar to
the NHL’s Stanley Cup, the Scrabble Challenge Cup will change hands
each year and remain with the winning teams for an entire year.
Winning teams of the 14th Annual Scrabble Challenge included:
FactSet (Corporate Division), Stanwich School (Schools Division) and
Team Day (Friends and Family Division).
Rep. Terrie Wood, Family Centers’ President Bob Arnold and
Hazel Hobbs, Family Centers’ Senior Advisor.
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Priceline.com Makes Donation to Family Centers
Priceline.com recently awarded
Family Centers with a $10,000 grant
to help the agency offer preschool
scholarships to needy families
throughout Fairfield County.
The gift was approved by Priceline’s
Charity Committee, a group of
employees that advises the company
on how to allocate charitable
donations.
Each year, Family Centers
provides more than $1.5 million in
scholarships to ensure that quality
preschool programs are accessible
to families at every income level.
Of the more than 230 children
enrolled in the Early Care and
Education, Head Start and School
Readiness preschool programs,
91 percent receive some form of
subsidy.
Family Centers’ Director of Community Engagement Jennifer Flatow (2nd from left) accepts a check from
Priceline.com employees (l-r) Angela Jamerson, Ben Harrell, Jill Saverine, Eleana McNeill, Baiju Thakkar and
Ken Weil.
This summer, Priceline will also give
five clients enrolled in Family Centers’
Reaching Independence Through
Employment (RITE) program valuable
insight and help strengthen the skills
they need to land a job and succeed in
the business world.
As part of the inaugural Job Readiness
Day, RITE program clients will have
the opportunity to tour the Priceline
headquarters in Norwalk, meet with
top executives and participate in
resume evaluation, mock interviews
and job shadowing exercises.
Greenwich Country Day
Students Bring a Little
Joy to Head Start
A group of boys from Greenwich Country Day
School recently provided each preschooler at
Greenwich Head Start and the School Readiness
classrooms at Armstrong Court with the gift of
reading.
The school’s 63 students were given Spring-themed
books to help jump-start their home libraries. The boys
also stayed to read to the children and play games.
This visit has become a yearly tradition at Greenwich
Country Day. Twelve years ago, James Graham, son of
Family Centers’ Board member Julie Graham, first
introduced the idea of providing books to local
children as a way to give back to the community.
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W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Helen and Bruce Dixon and Arlene Mark
Tom O'Connor, Kevin Walsh, Kathy Walsh,
Phoebe Lamdin, Cris Lamdin
Justin and Merrilou Hillenbrand
Ashley Bruynes, Susan Yonce, Brooke Bremer
Leigh Carpenter, Lance Choos, Terri Walker,
Chris Walker
Sue Ann Weinberg, Christy Gordon, Jane Gosden, Muffy Miller
Ginny Day, Robin Graham, Julie Graham,
Patti Hill, Sean Day
Herb and Ann Granath, Jan and Bob Dilenschneider
Peter Maloney, Joli Gross, Cami Lavoie
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W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Ramsey and Suzanne Frank
Mary and Marvin Davidson
Laurie Grauer
Alice and Chris Holbrook
Anne and Carl Goodnow
KK and George Lowther
Lucy and Nat Day
Garrett Moran, Mary Moran, Bob Arnold
Muffie FitzGerald, Karen Coxe, Laurie Host
Members of Family Centers’ Board of D
Bruce and Hele
Patti and Eric Fast
Ashley Allan an
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Tom and Brooke Ashforth
Allison Bourke, Ricky Bourke
Directors
en Dixon, Pete Maloney, Jeane Host
Jim and Sandi Duffy
nd John & Stephanie Horton
Terri Walker, Mimi Tabah
Eugene and Susan Shanks
Tony Johnson and Elizabeth Saunders
Phil Matthews and Terry Rogers
Molly Byrne and Bob Arnold
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W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
FA C E S O F FA M I LY C E N T E R S
Marilyn and Frank Pozzuto had everything a couple
could ask for – two beautiful children, successful careers
in the financial services industry, a comfortable home
and a large network of friends. For 15 years, Frank and
Marilyn shared a life many would call ideal. Laughs were
especially prevalent in the Pozzuto house, as Frank’s
larger-than-life personality perfectly complemented
Marilyn’s understated elegance and grace. Sadly, one
unfortunate incident changed their lives forever.
Three years ago, Frank
had an accident at home,
and was brought to the
hospital with severe head
injuries. He was admitted
to the Intensive Care Unit,
where he drifted in and
out of consciousness.
Despite multiple surgeries
and doctors’ best efforts
to help alleviate the damage caused by the fall,
Frank died three weeks
later.
Marilyn and her kids, Emily and Chris, were in shock.
For weeks after Frank’s death, they struggled to understand how such an important person in their lives could
be gone in an instant. More importantly, they all doubted
if they could ever pick up the pieces and move on with
their lives. Following the advice of a school psychologist, Marilyn made plans for she and the kids to attend a
support meeting at The Den for Grieving Kids.
Marilyn Pozzuto
Marilyn quickly found that The Den provided her family
with a perfect outlet in which they could grieve their
loss. With the support of others coping with similar circumstances, Marilyn was able to move past the immediate rawness of Frank’s death and reconcile the survivor’s
guilt that she was feeling. She also received the support
and strength she needed to slowly rebuild her life.
The Den was also beneficial for Emily and Chris. Each
week, they would meet with other kids their own age to
work on art projects that helped them to recall the good
times they had with their father. The Den’s safe, comfortable environment allowed the kids to explore their feelings and helped them realize they are not alone.
While she admits that some days are still harder than
others, daily life is now easier for Marilyn. She’s made
major changes in an effort to rebuild her life. She recently went back to work at UBS Financial Services, renovated her house and took up yoga. Marilyn attributes
The Den’s supportive atmosphere for getting her family
through the darkest time of their lives. Now that she’s
come to terms with her own grief, Marilyn is interested
in helping others by becoming a facilitator at The Den.
“There was this fog, like a huge grey cloud, over my
head following Frank’s death,” she said. “But as the
weeks, months and years went on, and I continued going
to The Den, the cloud has slowly and steadily been lifted. Of course, I still have highs and lows but the swings
aren’t so dramatic that they’re day-ruiners.”
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR ADVISORS
Officers • Laurie Host, Chairman • Tom Ashforth, Vice Chairman • Laurie Grauer, Vice Chairman • Michael McKeever, Treasurer • Kevin Walsh, Assistant Treasurer •
Alice Holbrook, Secretary • Susan Yonce, Assistant Secretary • Bob Arnold, President & CEO
Directors • Ashley Allan • Marjorie Berkley • Allison Bourke • Abby Bowers • Doug Brown • Stewart Brownlee • Pam Caffray • David Campbell • Leigh Carpenter •
Ann Croll • Jan Dilenschneider • Helen Dixon • Lauren Driscoll • Jim Duffy • Patti Fast • Carl Goodnow • Julie Graham • Joli Gross • Merrilou Hillenbrand • Richard
Hokin • John Horton, Jr. • Seeley Hubbard • Kip Koons • Arlene Mark • Charlotte Minor • Mary Moran • Kathleen Ryan-Mufson • Susan Shanks • John Straus •
Nonie Sullivan • Mimi Tabah • David Tuttle • Louise Vanderlip • David Van Dyke • Terri Walker • Bunny Weicker
Lifetime Member • Joan Warburg
Senior Advisors • Bert Ballin • Gini Bantle • Lucy Barrett • Molly Byrne • Karen Casey • Nathaniel Day • Kathleen DeCruze • Bob Fields • Muffie Fitzgerald • Jane
Frank • Gordon Garrett • Edwen Goldstein • Hazel Hobbs • Mystique Johnston • Karen Keegan • Kim Kispert • Howard Kraft • Muffie Lynch • Tom Melly • Sharon
Phillips • Mimi Pivirotto • John Raffaeli • George Reilly • Allison Rubeli • Marion Schmeelk • Margaret Sirot • Kathleen Tropin • Cathy Weisenburger • Bob Wells •
Victoria Zerjav
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
~ I N M E M O RY O F ~
~ IN HONOR OF ~
Elizabeth Radley Anderson
Edith M. Radley
Candee I. Weed
Marge Berkley
Hazel & Mike Hobbs
William A. Barbe
Nancy Pivirotto-Barbe
Matthew Brown
Marybeth Brown
Margaret A. Christenson
James L. Christenson
John W. Cross III
Donna & Jack Moffly
Bunny Weicker
Richard F. Daly, Sr.
Claire M. Daly
Nancy Davis
Susan Adamsen
Victoria de Bary
Linda & Paul Applegarth
Amelie Baudot
Ronna Brown
Suzanne Clary
Marquette de Bary
Marcella & Mikiel de Bary
Matthew DeFilippis
Robert Donohue
Laura & Bill Grad
Joan & George Hellmann
Bill Lawrence
Helene & Alain LeBleu
Gerald Mintz
Amanda & Melvyn Pond
Philip Russotti
Richard Land Sigal
Elise I. Swanton
Linna & Kevin Yee
David Lord Fitzgerald
Nancy B. Burke
Nancy R. Greene
Betsy & Walter Greene
Leigh Carpenter
Page & John Knox
Kim & Peter Parent
Megan Tyre
Brownlee Recognized at
Darien Volunteer Day
The Daileys
Eileen Psaki
Jan Dilenschneider
Hazel & Mike Hobbs
Laurie & Peter Grauer
Anonymous
Amandine & Stephen Freidheim
Joli Gross
EverWatch Capital
Laurie Host
Jane & Paul Shang
Arlene Mark
Mary & Michael Carpenter
Drew Marzullo
Elizabeth Finger
Mary Moran
Jane & Paul Shang
Leslie Sexer
Beth & Jonathan Kern
Mary & Jerome Kern
Susan Shanks
Anne Bradner
Stewart Brownlee and Family Centers’ President
Bob Arnold
Board member Stewart Brownlee was
recently honored for his service to the
lower Fairfield County communities
during The Community Fund of Darien’s
annual Darien Volunteer Day Awards
ceremony.
~ GIFTS IN HONOR OF ~
BILL BRUCKER’S
D C M A R AT H O N
Andrea & Bob Arnold
As a member of the Literacy Volunteers
Stamford/Greenwich Board of Directors,
Stewart was instrumental in facilitating
the organization’s successful merger with
Family Centers in 2013. The move
Margaret Roe Harrison
The Rohde Family
Bernice Braccia
Sarah Knestrick
Karen & David Blumenthal
Wendy & David Goldstein
Kathleen & William Brucker
writing and education services by align-
Sharon Brucker
ing with Family Centers’ self-sufficiency
Lynn Laitman
Alice Shaver Foundation
Catherine “Kay” Schumaecker
Board of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Mats G. Carlston
MarySue & Donald Cotton
Courtney & Brian Fitzgerald
Lois M. Kelley
Loretta LaRiviere
Cyndi Morrissey
Paralegals on 18: Michael B, Jessica B,
Melissa JP, Maria C, Sarah H & John H
Sue & Jerry Peppers
Daniel Richards
J. Anthony Terrell
Tighe Sullivan
Callie Sullivan
Melanie Yildizlar
Laura Davis
Alda Braccia
Leigh & Ben Carpenter
helped bolster Literacy Volunteers literacy,
and work-readiness programs.
Carole & Art Elias
Merrilou & Justin Hillenbrand
Laurie & George Host
Allison Lopez
Donna & Martin Spellman
Dennis Torres
Since the merger, Stewart continued to
support Literacy Volunteers by joining
Family Centers’ Board of Directors. He
co-chaired the 2014 Scrabble Challenge
David Van Dyke
to benefit Literacy Volunteers. Under his
Bunny Weicker
leadership, he helped expand the
fundraising event and generated a record
$90,000. Stewart is also a key member of
Family Centers’ Community Relations
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Committee, and provides insight on further
developing the Family Centers and Literacy
Volunteers brands in the community.
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Family Centers Brings Chinatown to Greenwich
for Annual Benefit
M
ore than 325 guests were immersed in swirling silks,
The Armory itself was
exotic music and colorful dragons, as Family Centers
transformed into a
brought a taste of the Far East to Greenwich for its annual
Chinese pagoda,
benefit on May 31.
complete with glowing
lanterns, parasols and
Held at historic Greenwich Armory, Family Centers’
Chinese dragons
“Chinatown: Night of the Dragon” benefit captured the
suspended from the
essence of an authentic Chinatown street festival. Drawing
ceiling. As guests
from elements that made the Chinatown areas of New York
enjoyed a family-style
and San Francisco so iconic, event co-chairs Pam Caffray,
dinner prepared by
Co-Chairs
Ann Croll,
Merrilou H
illenbrand
, Pam Caffr
ay
Ann Croll and Merrilou Hillenbrand created a true multi-
Saffron 59, they were treated to a martial arts
sensory experience unlike any other.
demonstration and a performance by Chinese Lion Dancers.
During the cocktail reception, guests sipped on signature
DJ David Chang.
After dinner, guests danced the night away to music of
drinks called “The Red Lotus” and nibbled on dumplings in
between rides on the “Dragon Wagon” (rollercoaster). Guests
“Chinatown: Night of the Dragon” was Family Centers’
also enjoyed the sounds of a Chinese string duo, a ping
largest fundraiser of the year, and raised more than
pong demonstration and a strolling Confucius impersonator.
$560,000 for the agency’s human service, health and educa-
Once the sun went down, Chinese Dragon Dancers led
tion programs serving more than 23,500 Fairfield County
attendees into the Armory for dinner.
residents each year.
Joan Melber Warburg
Early Childhood Center
Tel (203) 629-2822
Kids Corner Head Start
Tel (203) 869-2730
First Steps Head Start/School Readiness
Tel (203) 522-0633
Gateway Preschool
Tel (203) 531-8430
Early Childhood Education
& Head Start Preschools
Family Centers –
Stamford Government Center
Tel (203) 977-4939
Center for HOPE
Tel (203) 655-4693
Family Centers Stamford
Tel (203) 324-3167
Family Centers Darien/New Canaan
Tel (203) 655-0547 / Tel (203) 972-0556
Family Centers Greenwich
Tel (203) 629-2822
Family Centers’ Executive Offices,
& Arch Street Preschool
40 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT 06830
Tel (203) 869-4848
www.familycenters.org
Contact us
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Greenwich, CT 06836-7550
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