Cloonan Middle School Health Center Opens

EMPOWERING CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL
THE NEWSLETTER OF FAMILY CENTERS | FALL 2014
Cloonan Middle School Health Center Opens
New Board officers Leigh Carpenter and
Tom Ashforth
ASHFORTH ELECTED CHAIRMAN,
CARPENTER VICE CHAIR
At the 123rd Annual Meeting, the Board
of Directors appointed Tom Ashforth
Chairman.
Cloonan Middle School Student Council President Maura Jean Johnston (center) cuts the ribbon to open Family
Centers’ new School Based Health Center at Cloonan Middle School. Looking on are (l-r) Family Centers’
President Bob Arnold, Stamford Mayor David Martin, Rep. Jim Himes, Stamford Public Schools Superintendant
Dr. Winifred Hamilton, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Family Centers’ Board Chairman Laurie Host, Cloonan Middle
School Principal David Tate, Family Centers’ Director of Healthcare Programs Dennis Torres, Stamford Board of
Education President Geoff Alswanger and Stamford Board of Education Member Jackie Heftman.
Since coming onto the Board of
Directors in 2003, Tom’s leadership
and strategic input has helped Family
Centers make a greater impact in
the community.
Tom currently works as a Principal at
Transwestern Commerical Real Estate
in Greenwich. Tom has been involved
in numerous special events and
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Jim
Himes, Stamford Mayor David
Martin, Stamford Public Schools
Superintendant Dr. Winifred Hamilton
and members of the Stamford Board
of Education helped Family Centers
celebrate the opening of its newest
School Based Health Center (SBHC) at
Cloonan Middle School on Sept. 29.
fundraisers. His wife, Brooke, has
co-chaired three of Family Centers’
most successful benefits.
The Board of Directors also elected
Leigh Carpenter Vice Chairman.
Leigh joined the Board in 2005 and has
chaired several fundraising events,
including 2007’s Castaway and 2010’s
Coney Island benefits. She is the cochair of the Families in Crisis Center of
Excellence Committee, and sits on the
Development, Special Events and
Community Relations committees.
The Cloonan SBHC is Family Centers’
fifth clinic serving students in seven
of Stamford’s public schools. Available
to all students, the SBHCs are staffed
by nurse practitioners, social workers
and dental professionals, and provide
medical assessments, physicals, mental health counseling, dental care and
other services to nearly 1,050 children
each year. Health education and outreach efforts are offered to an additional 8,100 students and families .
Services are provided regardless of a
family’s income or health insurance
status.
Vacant space previously occupied by
Cloonan Middle School’s Industrial
Arts program was used to build the
new clinic. Funding to renovate the
space was made possible through a
grant from the Health Resources &
Service Administration of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human
Services. Operating funds were provided by the State of Connecticut’s
Department of Public Health and
Stamford Public Schools.
Other clinics operated by Family Centers
are located at Stamford High School,
Westhill High School, Rippowam
Middle School/AITE High School and
Dolan Middle School/Toquam Elementary School. An additional clinic
serves Kids in Crisis in Greenwich.
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W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
VINE TO
CIA “SPYMASTER” JACK DE
DEC. 12
SPEAK AT BREAKFAST ON
hanks to the cunning intelligence and daring missions of fictional characters like James Bond, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and 24’s Jack Bauer, popular culture has long been obsessed with espionage stories. The real-life secrecy of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) only adds to this fascination.
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AREA FOUNDATIONS
SUPPORT FAMILY CENTERS’
PROGRAMS
We thank the following foundations and organizations for their
commitment to ensuring residents
On Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 a.m., Family Centers
welcomes former CIA Acting Director Jack
Devine to the Greenwich Hyatt for a breakfast
entitled “A Peek Behind the CIA Curtain with
Spymaster Jack Devine”.
of lower Fairfield County continue
to have access to quality human
service programs.
•
United Way of Greenwich —
$333,375 for Early Care and
In addition to providing his perspectives
on the CIA’s role in such global events
as the fall of Salvador Allende in Chile,
the Iran-Contra affair and the covert conflict against the Soviets in Afghanistan
famously depicted in the film, Charlie
Wilson’s War, Devine will shed light on
the inner-workings of the world’s most
secretive government agency.
Education, Head Start,
Counseling & Mental Health
and Literacy Volunteers
•
$176,000 for Early Care and
Education
•
Lone Pine Foundation —
$100,000 for FCITC and Capital
Projects
•
Tickets start at $100, and proceeds will support Family Centers’ programs
that provide counseling and support to families and individuals experiencing
a crisis. Several exciting sponsorship opportunities – which include a semiprivate reception with Mr. Devine – are also available. For information and
tickets, visit www.familycenters.org or call 203-869-4848.
Viking Global Foundation —
William Randolph Hearst
Foundation — $75,000 for
School Based Health Centers
•
United Way of Western
Connecticut — $66,939 for
Clinical & Mental Health, School
Based Health Centers, RITE,
During his more than 30 years with the CIA, Devine was involved in organizing, planning and executing countless sensitive projects in virtually all areas
of intelligence, including analysis, operations, technology and management.
In addition to serving as Acting Director, Devine headed the CIA’s Counternarcotics Center and oversaw the Afghan Task Force and operations in Latin
America. In 1987, he was awarded the CIA’s Meritorious Officer Award for
countering Soviet aggression in Afghanistan.
Stamford CARES and Literacy
Volunteers
•
Dalio Family Foundation —
$25,000 for Literacy Volunteers
•
Thompson Reuters — $20,000
for RITE and Literacy Volunteers
•
Edward John Noble
Foundation — $10,000 for Early
Devine is a founding partner and President of The Arkin Group LLC, which
specializes in international crisis management, strategic intelligence, investigative research and business problem solving. His memoir, Good Hunting!
An American Spymaster’s Story was released by Sarah Crichton Books in
June 2014.
Care and Education
•
ViiV Healthcare — $10,000 for
•
Pitney Bowes — $5,000 for
Stamford CARES
Literacy Volunteers
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
Van Dyke, Tahmin Celebrated
at Annual Meeting
t the 123rd Annual Meeting,
Board Member David Van Dyke
and volunteer Arlene Tahmin were
honored for their service to Family
Centers and dedication to improving
the lives of Fairfield County’s families
and children.
A
David joined the Family Centers’
Board of Directors in 2008 after
helping to facilitate a merger with
HealthCare Connection as that
organization’s chairman. The move
brought the School Based Health
Centers, Stamford CARES and Care to
Care under the Family Centers
umbrella of services.
David quickly embraced his role as a
Family Centers Board member and is
a tireless advocate for the welfare of
our community’s children. He is
currently the co-chair of the Bright
Beginnings Center of Excellence
Committee and serves on
the agency’s Families in
Crisis committee. David
has also provided key
strategic insight, having
contributed to the formation of the agency’s 20142016 Strategic Directions.
David is Rector of First
Presbyterian Church (The
Fish Church) in Stamford.
To thank him for his many contributions to the agency, Family Centers
presented David with the 2014 Helen
Gratz Rockefeller Outstanding
Volunteerism Award.
UBS Financial Services Greenwich
employee Arlene Tahmin was named
the 2014 Family Champion. For the
past several years, Arlene has led
numerous volunteer efforts within
UBS to benefit Family Centers.
“Bali Ha’i” is Calling!
Join Family Centers for one Enchanted Evening filled with island
adventure and romance at our “South Pacific” benefit on Friday,
May 29, 2015. Drawing from elements of the classic Broadway
musical, co-chairs Brooke Ashforth, Laurie Grauer, Laurie Host
and Susan Yonce will transform the waterfront home of Laurie
and Peter Grauer into a Polynesian paradise on Long Island Sound.
We’re holding a spot for you at the bar at Trader Vic’s, so get ready
for a night to remember!
2014 Family Champion Arlene Tahmin and 2014
Helen Gratz Rockefeller Outstanding Volunteerism
Award winner David Van Dyke
In addition to organizing landscaping
and clean-up projects at the Center
for HOPE and Palmer’s Hill locations,
Arlene and her team of UBS
volunteers participate in Friendly
Connections’ annual holiday and
summer luncheons. During the holidays, Arlene spearheads food and gift
drives at UBS to benefit Family
Centers’ neediest families.
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W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
NEW PLAYGROUND OPENS AT
GATEWAY PRESCHOOL
Children at the Gateway Preschool now have a new
place in which to climb, slide and explore. Earlier this
fall, a new playground was unveiled featuring a pirate
ship-themed play structure, a small jungle gym and
several ride-on toys.
H elp a
family in
need this holiday season
The playground also features several stations emblazoned with QR codes so that teachers can engage
students with educational games on mobile devices.
A smaller play structure was also built on the school’s
toddler playground.
While many of us look forward to
Funding for the playground was provided by the
the festivities associated with the
Town of Greenwich’s Community Development Block
holidays, financial hardships and
Grant (CDGB) and the State of Connecticut.
other issues make the season a
difficult time for many area
families. Consider bringing a little
In Memory of Milly Beattie
We fondly remember MILLY BEATTIE, a longtime staff
member who recently passed away following a short illness. Milly served as Finance Director from 1992-2010,
and played a key role in ensuring that Family Centers
remained a fiscally responsible community organization. She also oversaw
the agency’s Human Resources function for many years.
joy to some of Families Centers’
neediest families by participating
in our annual Holiday Giving
campaign.
Whether you are interested in
giving gifts for an entire family,
running a food drive or providing
a coat to a child in need, Family
Centers has a number of ways to
Milly was a tireless advocate for Family Centers and the families it serves. In
addition to assisting with numerous special events and fundraisers, she continued to volunteer in the Finance Department after her retirement.
give back this holiday season.
For more information on Family
Centers’ Holiday Giving program,
At the request of her family, those wishing to memorialize Milly’s life may do
so through a gift to Family Centers. Donations may be made online at
www.familycenters.org or mailed to: Family Centers, 40 Arch Street,
Greenwich, CT 06830.
contact Jennifer Flatow at
jflatow@familycenters.org or
203-869-4848.
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
RUNNERS PREP FOR
third annual
TREADMILL MARATHON
RELAY
On Sunday, Dec. 14, runners
from Family Centers, Toyota of
Stamford and the greater
Stamford community once
again lace up their sneakers
to help families in need this
holiday season.
Beginning at 9 a.m., teams of
runners will take to several
treadmills at Planet Fitness
Harborview in Stamford to
cover the 26.2 mile marathon
distance – all while raising
funds to purchase holiday gifts
and basic living necessities for
Stamford families. The event,
dubbed the Marathon on
Myrtle, is an annual fundraising
collaboration between Family
Centers and Toyota of
Stamford.
Last year’s event raised more
Priceline.com, GE Capital Treasury
Host Job Readiness Events
than $5,000. In addition to
directly supporting Stamford
families, the Marathon on
Myrtle also raises scholarship
funds for preschool families.
To register or sponsor a runner,
visit www.familycenters.org.
wo of America’s most-recognized
companies recently gave participants of the Reaching Independence
Through Employment (RITE) program
valuable insight, while helping to
strengthen the skills they need to
land a job and succeed in the
business world.
T
In July, Priceline.com hosted a Job
Readiness Day at its Norwalk headquarters. In addition to meeting the
company’s top executives and participating in career advancement workshops, three RITE clients participated
in resume evaluation, mock interview
and job shadowing exercises with
Priceline employees. GE Capital
Treasury held a similar event in
October for an additional seven
participants.
In addition to improving participants’
job skills, the RITE program also
offers regular educational enhancement opportunities, referral services,
resume-writing and interview assistance, ESL/literacy classes and bilingual computer training. All services
are free and open to all residents of
Greenwich and Stamford.
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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
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endy Marroquin has
experienced more
hardship and adversity in
her 17 years than most
people might throughout an
entire lifetime. As a young
girl, Wendy and her family
left their native Guatemala
for a chance at a better life
in the United States. While
she was excited about the opportunities that awaited in
her new hometown of Stamford, the thought of adapting
to an entirely new culture made Wendy anxious.
The transition was initially difficult for Wendy. Despite
being a good student in Guatemala, Wendy was placed in
remedial classes as she worked to learn how to speak
English. This language barrier also prevented Wendy
from making friends. Despite these barriers, however,
Wendy was determined to further her education. In just a
few short years, Wendy managed to become fluent in
English and began taking honors courses.
Things seemed to looking up for Wendy, and she entered
Stamford High School with a positive outlook on her
future. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before things
became unhinged. Halfway through her sophomore year,
Wendy’s mother was diagnosed with an aggressive form
of cancer. Because the illness left her mother lethargic
and weak, Wendy assumed the responsibilities of maintaining the household. In addition to her mounting
schoolwork, Wendy cooked, cleaned and cared for her
baby sister. On top of that, Wendy was the main source
Wendy Marroquin
of support for her mother, as her father grew emotionally withdrawn from the family. Despite having her entire
family nearby, Wendy felt alone and isolated.
The stress took a major toll on Wendy. She gained
weight, functioned on little sleep and began to suffer
anxiety attacks. Sensing Wendy was near a breaking
point, a friend suggested Wendy go to the School Based
Health Center for help. She was introduced to the
Center’s social worker, who lent a sympathetic ear and
provided Wendy with some ideas on how to manage the
stress and reduce her anxiety. The Center’s nurse practitioner also educated Wendy on healthy lifestyle choices
and offered weight loss suggestions.
Wendy continued to visit the Health Center on a regular
basis over the next two years. Whether she needed to
talk about something that was bothering her or was just
“checking in,” Wendy felt she finally found a place where
she could focus on her own well-being. Over time, she
managed to lose weight, gained confidence and learned
how to take time to focus on her own goals. This lesson
proved to be extremely valuable, as Wendy graduated
last spring with honors and earned a college scholarship.
While she admits that her life can still be hectic at times,
Wendy said the School Based Health Center gave her the
tools she needed to find a balance in life. “The most
important thing I’ve learned was that in order to help my
family, I needed to take care of myself, too,” she said.
“Things are still crazy, but I’m able to manage the stress
better now. Thanks to the School Based Health Center,
I’m a more healthy and centered person these days.”
A BRAND NEW WWW.FAMILYCENTERS.ORG
Family Centers’ website, www.familycenters.org, has undergone a bit of a
change. In addition to its fresh look, the new site operates on a more userfriendly navigation configuration and includes several new exciting features.
For one, it’s completely mobile compatible – allowing users to easily navigate
the site from any mobile device. We’ve even added a live Facebook page feed!
We hope you enjoy the new and improved www.familycenters.org and use it as
a useful tool to find important information about our programs and services.
W W W. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS
~ IN MEMORY OF ~
At the Annual Meeting on October 28, Family Centers welcomed
Anne Firestone Ball
Nancy Axilrod, Elizabeth Lake and Maribeth Smith to the
Lizora Yonce
Board of Directors.
Chandler Bates, Jr.
Greenwich Horseneck Club
A longtime Greenwich resident, Nancy brings a
Mildred Beattie
Jane & Jim Francisco
wealth of marketing and sales experience to the
Richard F. Daly, Sr.
Family Centers Board. After earning a bachelor’s
Claire Daly
Rosemary Eschenbrenner
Jane & Alan Batkin
FAMILY CENTERS
EARNS ANOTHER
4-STAR RATING
Peter J. Howard
Elizabeth Hebert
Christine Matyszkowicz
Susan Crawford
Allison Lowrie
Lisa Martin
Tara Metcalf
Jane Potrzebowski
The Jon and Kathy Savitz Foundation
Thomas Seibold
Ellen Spark
Samuel M. Yonce
Lizora Yonce
LUMINARIES
Milly Beattie
For the eighth
consecutive year,
Frank Fiore
~ IN HONOR OF ~
Paul Adelberg
Mariellen & Richard Harland
Brandon Campbell
Peggy Campbell
Anne Croll
Nell Wall Otto & John F. Otto, Jr.
Helen Dixon
Anonymous
Kathleen Ryan-Mufson
Pitney Bowes
Suzanne Seton
Lily E. Knobler
Miha Zajec
Linda Fields
Babson College, she worked as a government
bond sales representative for Carroll, McEntee
& McGinley.
In recent years, Nancy shifted her focus to raise her three
Charity Navigator, the
children. She served on the Greenwich Academy Parent Board,
largest independent
and was very active at Brunswick School. Nancy has also
evaluator of U.S.
volunteered for the Breast Cancer Alliance, Boys and Girls Club,
charities, awarded
City Harvest and Family Centers.
Family Centers with
Elizabeth earned a bachelor’s degree in the
its 4-star rating for
history of arts and architecture from Brown
outstanding fiscal
University, and previously held positions with
management.
Family Centers’ Finance Department
Lisa Nelson Fiore
degree in marketing and communications from
Sotheby’s in New York. In 2006, she switched
career paths to start her own residential
The 4-star designation
interior design firm.
is Charity Navigator’s
highest honor, and
Elizabeth also serves on the board of the Merck Family Fund,
indicates that Family
which awards grants to nonprofit organizations across the U.S.
Centers outperforms
Maribeth has been actively involved in the
the majority of non-
Greenwich community for more than 20 years.
profits in America
She has served on the Board of Directors for
with respect to fiscal
such organizations as the Greenwich YWCA,
responsibility and
Neighbor to Neighbor and the Greenwich
transparency. Only
seven percent of nonprofits surveyed have
earned Charity
Navigator’s four-star
rating at least four
consecutive years.
Garden Club. She also is a board member of
her family foundation, The Edward John Noble Foundation.
Maribeth is a staunch advocate for the education of young
children, and regularly volunteers at the Greenwich Head Start
preschool. She has also donated her time to assist Greenwich
Hospital, Greenwich Arts Council and St. Barnabas Church.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR ADVISORS
Officers • Tom Ashforth, Chairman • Leigh Carpenter, Vice Chairman • Laurie Grauer, Vice Chairman • Michael McKeever, Treasurer • Kevin Walsh, Assistant Treasurer
• Susan Yonce, Secretary • Alice Holbrook, Assistant Secretary • Bob Arnold, President & CEO
Directors • Ashley Allan • Nancy Axilrod • Marjorie Berkley • Allison Bourke • Abby Bowers • Doug Brown • Pam Caffray • David Campbell • 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. • Laurie Host • Seeley Hubbard • Kip Koons • Elizabeth Lake • Arlene Mark • Charlotte Minor • Mary Moran • Kathleen Ryan-Mufson • Maribeth Smith •
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 • Lucy Barrett • Molly Byrne • Karen Casey • Nathaniel Day • Kathleen DeCruze • Bob Fields • Muffie Fitzgerald • Gordon Garrett • Edwen Goldstein
• Hazel Hobbs • Mystique Johnston • Karen Keegan • Kim Kispert • Howard Kraft • Muffie Lynch • Tom Melly • Sharon Phillips • Mimi Pivirotto • George Reilly •
Margaret Sirot • Cathy Weisenburger • Victoria Zerjav
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Luminary Season is Here!
ith the holidays right around
the corner, Family Centers is
gearing up for its annual Hope Lights
Lives luminary project.
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Now entering its 21st year, the grassroots-style fundraiser benefits the
Center for HOPE and The Den for
Grieving Kids. More than 600 volunteers from across Fairfield County sell
luminary kits to their neighbors,
friends and families. Dozens of others
help assemble luminary kits and help
distribute them.
The Hope Lights Lives campaign culminates with a county-wide lighting on
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. On that
day, residents of Darien, Fairfield,
Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk,
Rowayton, Southport, Stamford,
Weston and Wilton residents will
adorn their lawns with luminaries to
honor loved ones who have died or
are coping with a critical illness.
To volunteer or become a sponsor of
this year’s Hope Lights Lives campaign, contact Aleksa Lazarewicz at
alazarewicz@ familycenters.org or
203-869-4848. Individual luminary
kits are also on sale now at
www.familycenters.org.
The 2014 Hope Lights Lives campaign
is sponsored by Ann Croll, Frank
Fiore, Nancy Palmer, Keno Graphics,
Siegel, Reilly & Conlon, Springdale
Florist, Walter Stewart’s Market,
Family Centers’ Finance Dept., Pizza
Post, Nancy Palmer, GE Capital, Mr.
and Mrs. Paul Adelberg, Splash Car
Wash, The Schriber Family and three
anonymous sponsors.
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
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