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Board Member George Reilly and Cheryl Norfleet, Family Centers’ Intake
Coordinator, were honored by the Connecticut Council of Family Services Agencies
(CCFSA) for their dedication to improving the lives of local families.
For the past three years, George has selflessly donated his time and energy to the Family
Centers Board of Directors and improved the lives of individuals and families living in
lower Fairfield County. As the former chair of the Center for HOPE’s Board of Directors,
George helped facilitate the organization’s merger with Family Centers in 2005 – a move
that created a comprehensive continuum of care for clients and reestablished the Center
for HOPE as a leader in bereavement and critical illness support.
As Family Centers’ Intake Coordinator, Cheryl is often the first voice clients seeking
the agency’s services hear. Whether they are coping with a mental illness, the death
of a loved one, a failing marriage or parental challenges, Cheryl ensures that clients
are quickly referred to the appropriate program or counselor. She is also a longtime
Friendly Connections volunteer. Congratulations! Reilly and Norfleet
REILLY, NORFLEET NAMED “FAMILY CHAMPIONS”
On July 1, Family Centers and HealthCare Connection madeits merger official during a ceremony at the City of Stamford’sGovernment Center.
As staff and members of the Family Centers andHealthCare Connection boards of directors looked on,Family Centers’ Board Vice Chair Laurie Grauer and theRev. David Van Dyke, HealthCare Connections BoardChairman, signed the merger documents. Stamford MayorDannel Malloy also attended the ceremony to congratulatethe two organizations.
The merger is effective immediately, and HealthCareConnection’s four programs – the School Based HealthCenters, Stamford CARES, Care to Care and the TLC HealthCenter at Kids in Crisis – are now part of Family Centers’already diverse service mix.
Top: Family Centers’ Board Vice Chair Laurie Grauer and the Rev. David Van Dyke,Chairman of HealthCare Connection’s Board of Directors, sign the merger documents.
Bottom: (l-r) The Rev. David Van Dyke, Chairman of HealthCare Connection’s Board ofDirectors; HealthCare Connection’s Interim Executive Director Tricia McCann; LaurieGrauer, Family Centers’ Board Vice Chair; and Family Centers’ President Bob Arnold.
EMPOWERING CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL
Family Centers and HealthCare Connection Complete Merger
THE NEWSLETTER OF FAMILY CENTERS | SUMMER 2008CenterPiece
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Special thanks to this year’s sponsors,whose support helped make this eventpossible – The Windmill Foundation,M. Bonnie Axthelm Foundation,Ring’s End Lumber, UST, Bitter EndYacht Club, MasterCard International,Cheswick Wright Wealth ManagementLLC, The CJB Group/Merrill Lynch, Jan and Bob Dilenschneider, PatriotNational Bank, Kitchens by Deaneand Wheeler Real Estate.
“Lights of Hope” Shine Bright for Center for HOPE, The Den for Grieving Kids
Photos clockwise from top:
Event Co-Chairs Carol Cheswick Wilson (center) andCarol Matton (right) with Gloria Veeder, FamilyCenters’ Director of Development.
Peggy Kaminski hits the runway.
Luncheon Speaker Pam Zangrillo (right) and GailBaldwin.
The grand finale!
Family Centers’ Senior Advisor Karen Casey (right)and Joanne Shakley.
Family Centers’ Board Chairman Jan Dilenschneiderand Senior Advisor Ginny Bantle
Janet Plotkin of the Adolph and Ruth SchnurmacherFoundation, Inc. and Family Centers’ President BobArnold.
Walt Ritz, Director of Family Centers’ Housing ResourceProgram, shows off some fresh duds on the runway.
The Center for HOPE held its AnnualLuncheon and Fashion Show andtransformed the Wee Burn CountryClub into a scene straight from NewYork’s Fashion Week.
Named “Lights of Hope”, this year’sevent was co-chaired by Carol Mattonand Carol Cheswick Wilson. Morethan 200 guests watched models strutthe runway in the latest spring fash-ions from the Darien Sport Shop andjewelry by Betteridge Jewelers. PamZangrillo, a Darien resident and for-mer client, spoke about how theCenter for HOPE’s support helped herovercome breast cancer.
The more than $80,000 that was raiseddirectly benefits the Center for HOPEand The Den for Grieving Kids, FamilyCenters’ programs offering critical ill-ness and bereavement support toadults and children living in lowerFairfield County.
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Thanks to the generosity of Darien resident Ginger
Morgan, the Center for HOPE now has a serene place
where clients can reflect on their feelings as they cope
with a death or critical illness.
Morgan, along with her sons Reed and Andrew, spear-
headed a complete renovation of the Center’s backyard to
create a beautiful garden for clients to enjoy during the
summer months. With the help of Boy Scout Troop 53,
the Morgan family removed debris and prepared the
garden area for planting.
Several local landscaping businesses also helped in the
project. Noble Lawn & Shrub Care seeded, aerated and
fertilized the lawn, while The Growing Concern donated
the garden’s flowers and plants. Once the work was com-
pleted, Morgan put the finishing touches on the garden
by installing a new fence and donating comfortable out-
door furniture.
The Center for HOPE hopes the community will utilize
the garden for meetings or small social gatherings. For
information on reserving the Center for HOPE’s garden for
your next event, contact Gloria Veeder at 203-869-4848.
Local Volunteer, BoyScouts Help Spruce upCenter for HOPE’s Garden
Ginger Morgan and Family Centers’ Board Chairman Jan Dilenschneideradmire the Center for HOPE’s newly landscaped garden.
Splash Car Washes recently helped ensure that quality sup-port services remain available to people living in lowerFairfield County.
The Splash location in Darien recently presented theCenter for HOPE with a check for $2,685 to help fund theprogram’s bereavement and illness support services.Splash’s Stamford location also awarded The Den forGrieving Kids $1,059.
The money represents a percentage of the proceeds fromSplash’s annual holiday gift card sale. Every year, Splashlocations in Connecticut and New York adopt local chari-ties and earmark part of the proceeds from gift card salesto those charitable organizations.
Splash Car Wash Donates Fundsto Center for Hope and The Den
Deirdre Lewin, Director of the Center for HOPE and The Den for Grieving Kids,accepts a check from Splash owner Mark Curtis.
PILGRIM TOWERS RESIDENTS CELEBRATE40 YEARS INDEPENDENT LIVING Pilgrim Towers, an independent living residence for
Stamford-area seniors, celebrated its 40th anniversary with
an open house and reception.
Local dignitaries including Rep. Philip J. Giordano were on
hand to mark the occasion. A special proclamation from
Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy was read, and declared
June 29 “Pilgrim Towers Day” in Stamford.
Located at 25 Washington Street in Stamford, Pilgrim
Towers is a HUD-subsidized complex offering affordable
independent living services to people over the age of 62.
Family Centers provides a host of onsite support services to
help residents maintain a greater sense of independence
and enjoy a better quality of life. Family Centers also offers
psychosocial and physical support when necessary.
4 W W W . F A M I L Y C E N T E R S . O R G
Bob & Barbara Wells
Alice Holbrook, Fred Bontecou, Teresa Haskett and KK Lowther Ben & Leigh Carpenter and Jessica & Basil Zirinis
Arlene Mark, Sharon & Barney Phillips and Reuben Mark
Valerie & Mike McKeever
Barbara & Ed Netter Jan Dilenschneider with Peter & Laurie Grauer
5W W W . F A M I L Y C E N T E R S . O R G
Carlos Ferrer & Eric Fast
Cathy & Randy Weisenburger
Avery & Allison Bourke Laura & Chris Jachino and Maura & Andy Igoe
Dee Dee Sherman, Kathy Clark and Rob Sherman Jack & Anne Ball Gillian Steel, Nancy Coffin and Mary Moran
Doug Brown and Ben SaleebyCharlotte Minor, Nick Somers and Terri Walker
Darryl Branch, Barbara Thompson and Dr. Johnnie Lee Icy Frantz, Lisa Stuart, Scott Stuart and Scott Frantz
6 W W W . F A M I L Y C E N T E R S . O R G
Family Centers’ Greenwich Head Start Preschools recently held a graduationceremony to celebrate the 21 students moving on to kindergarten.
Teachers presented each graduate with a “diploma”, and all 34 students enrolledin the preschool performed a collection of their favorite songs. Afterward, thestudents and their families gathered for a pot-luck lunch.
In addition to honoring the preschool’s graduates, the ceremony recognizedtheir parents. Head Start teachers – along with Family Centers’ clinicians – reg-ularly work with parents to help them identify and achieve their vocational andeducational goals.
The Public Relations Society of
America (PRSA) recently honored
Family Centers for outstanding pub-
lic relations/communications tactics.
Family Centers picked up a Gold
PRSA Mercury Award for its 2007
Annual Report, which resembled a
children’s book and featured inspi-
rational client success stories. The
publication was designed by New
Leaf Graphic Design and under-
written by GE Real Estate. The
agency also received a Silver
Mercury Award for the community
awareness campaign that helped
prevent the “Dancing Dolphins” pre-
school classroom from closing.
Along with the Mercury Awards,
Family Centers also won three
Hermes Creative Awards from the
Association of Marketing and
Communication Professionals. The
“Save the Dancing Dolphins” cam-
paign earned the prestigious Platinum
Hermes Award, while Family Centers’
Agency Video and Annual Report
took home Gold and Honorable
Mention Awards, respectively.
FAMILY CENTERS WINSAWARDS FOR PUBLICRELATIONS EXCELLENCE
Family Centers’ Communications Director BillBrucker (left) accepts a Gold PRSA MercuryAward from Matt Scott, WTNH-TV meteorolo-gist and reporter.
Head Start Preschools SendStudents Off to Kindergarten
Left: Delmy Reyes (left) and Brittany Soriano. Right: Xavier Estiverne proudly shows off his diploma.
YPP PARTICIPANTS CELEBRATE SUCCESS
The Young Parents Program (YPP) wrapped
up the year with a picnic at Family Centers’
Stamford offices. The event gave the
program’s participants the opportunity to
celebrate their accomplishments and relax
with their families. This year, YPP helped
to ensure that all 12 girls enrolled in the
program either finished high school or
earned an equivalency degree.
The Young Parents Program supports preg-
nant teens and young mothers as they
transition into their roles as parents. In
addition to providing prenatal/parenting
education and support, YPP clinicians help
young parents further their educational
and vocation goals.
Photo top: Young Parents Program CoordinatorAndrea Payo (right) and Ebonie Ruffin. Photo bottom:YPP graduate Trinia Holman and her baby, Makiah.
7W W W . F A M I L Y C E N T E R S . O R G
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & SENIOR ADVISORS
Officers • Jan Dilenschneider, Chairman • Marge Berkley, Vice Chairman • Laurie Grauer, Vice Chairman • Michael McKeever, Treasurer • Kevin Walsh, Assistant Treasurer • Laurie Host,Secretary • Allison Bourke, Assistant Secretary • Bob Arnold, President & CEO
Directors • Tom Ashforth • Will Ault • Anne Ball • Abby Bowers • Ellen Bromley • Doug Brown • Molly Byrne • Dave Campbell • Leigh Carpenter • Helen Dixon • Cory Donnalley Patti Fast • Jane Frank • Judy Gooding • Carl Goodnow • Julie Graham • Ruth Gretz • Hazel Hobbs • Richard Hokin • Alice Holbrook • Seeley Hubbard • Jim Jakubek • MystiqueJohnston • Kip Koons • Muffie Lynch • Arlene Mark • Jeanne Matson • Charlotte Minor • Sharon Phillips • Michael Pralle • George Reilly • Allison Rubeli • Nonie Sullivan • Mimi TabahKathleen Tropin • David Tuttle • Rev. David Van Dyke • Terri Walker • Joan Warburg • Bunny Weicker • Cathy Weisenburger • Bob Wells
Senior Advisors • Liz Anderson • Bert Ballen • Gini Bantle • Lucy Barrett • Mary Birle • Darryl Branch • Karen Casey • John Conte • Suzanne Curto • Bob Fields • Muffie Fitzgerald Joi Gallo • Edwen Goldstein • Mickey Graham • Hy Hoffman • Debra Katz • Karen Keegan • Kim Kispert • Howard Kraft • Dr. Johnnie Lee • Tom Melly • Mimi Pivirotto • MarionSchmeelk-Kirkman • Margaret Sirot • Alice Zea
Richard F. DalyMrs. Claire M. Daly
Karl HassenfratzMrs. Marian C. Hassenfratz
Betty HazenfieldStephanie, Ray & Tess Richards
Alvin and Elizabeth JosephyMr. and Mrs. Steven Wolowitz
Mimi KayeBackcountry Ventures
Mr. and Mrs. James J. CalabreseMs. Jacqueline R. Chamandy
Mr. and Mrs. Michael N. CohenMs. Margaret Connery Dietz
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan G. CunninghamMr. Rocco V. D’Andrea
Mr. and Mrs. Tony DiPaoloMr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Dorman
Mr. and Mrs. James DutcherMr. and Mrs. Robert F. Frankel
Mr. and Mrs. Frank FrascaMr. and Mrs. Philip H. Groth
Ms. Judith S. HoffmanMr. and Mrs. Peter HortonMs. Mary Elizabeth Jaeger
Mr. and Mrs. Hagop MeneshianMr. and Mrs. Neil J. Metviner
Ms. Ellen MoshirMs. Norma G. Perlstein
Mr. Louis P. PittoccoDr. and Mrs. Joel M. Rein
Ms. Joyce Roper NyeMs. Delores C. Sheehan
Sount Beach Partners. LLCMs. Amanda Starr
State of CT – Court Operations UnitDr. Elaine M. Suchman
(Mimi Kaye cont’d.)Whitman, Breed, Abbott & Morgan
Ms. Diana S. WhyteMr. and Mrs. William Zales
Margorie LaffMr. and Mrs. Kenneth I. White
Peg Murta & Mary CorcoranCaroline Andrew
Mr. and Mrs. Bill BrennanMr. and Mrs. Perry D. Caminis
Karen M. CaseyMr. and Mrs. Bourke CorcoranMr. and Mrs. Roland DiLeone
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dolyak, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Neil B. ForsterMr. and Mrs. Lars Jonsteg
Birgitta LindbergKerwin K. MayersReinhard Schreiber
Richard ShillingCatherine Sommerfeld
Mr. and Mrs. Fordyce B. St. John IIIPatricia Steigerwald
Peter Thurell
Anne OstroskyDr. and Mrs. Walter J. Richar
Robert RechMrs. Ola Rech
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Weihs
Julia RobbMr. and Mrs. Theodore J. Cutler
Patrick SexstoneStephanie, Ray & Tess Richards
William J. SperanzaMr. and Mrs. R. Byard Hires
~ IN HONOR OF ~
Elizabeth Radley AndersonAnstiss Hunt Smithers
Candee I. Weed
Laurie M. GrauerMs. Diana L. Taylor
Arlene MarkMr. and Mrs. Michael A. Carpenter
Maureen E. MeehanLaurie B. Stuek
Joan NorfleetMr. and Mrs. Walter Sidas
Leslie P. SexerMr. and Mrs. Jonathan Kern
Joan Melber WarburgBruce Museum
Cathy WeisenburgerMr. and Mrs. John Kramer
Susan YonceMs. Amy Gerry
~ IN MEMORY OF ~
STAMFORD RITECOORDINATOR ON BOARDWelcome to Donna Fletcher,
who joined Family Centers
as the program coordinator
for the Stamford Reaching
Independence Through
Employment (RITE)
program.
Donna will assist RITE clients
living in Stamford strive
toward self-sufficiency
through career counseling,
educational assistance and
case management.
Prior to coming to Family
Centers, Donna worked as
an addictions counselor at
Liberation Programs in
Stamford. She also operated
a private practice offering
psychotherapy and marriage
and family therapy.
Welcome!
NEW STAFF STATE AWARDSSCHOOL BASEDHEALTH CENTERSFUNDING TO EXPANDDENTAL CLINIC
The State of Connecticut’s
Department of Public Health
provided the School Based
Health Centers (SBHC) with a
$49,453 grant to expand the
dental clinic at Westhill High
School in Stamford.
The SBHC dental clinic is open
to all children enrolled in
Stamford Public Schools,
regardless of their family’s
insurance coverage. Staffed by
a board-certified dentist and
experienced dental assistants,
the clinic offers an array of
dental services including rou-
tine cleanings, fillings and
restorative care.
School Based Health Center dentistCristina Simoes Oliveira, DDS providesa thorough cleaning.
40 Arch Street,P.O.Box 7550Greenwich,CT 06836-7550
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDBridgeport, CTPermit No. 347
Contact usFamily Centers’ Executive Offices,Arch Street Preschool & The Den40 Arch Street,Greenwich,CT 06830 Tel (203) 869-4848www.familycenters.org
Family Centers GreenwichTel (203) 629-2822
Family Centers Darien/New CanaanTel (203) 655-0547 / Tel (203) 972-0556
Family Centers StamfordTel (203) 324-3167
The Center for HOPETel (203) 655-4693
Early Childhood Education &Head Start Preschools
Gateway PreschoolTel (203) 531-8430
First Steps Head StartTel (203) 522-0633
Kids Corner Head StartTel (203) 869-2730
Joan Melber Warburg Early Childhood CenterTel (203) 629-2822
More than 350 guests joined Family Centerson a trip back in time to 1940’s-era Havanafor the agency’s Fiesta Cuba benefit.
Held at the Belle Haven home of Laurieand Peter Grauer, Fiesta Cuba raisedmore than $720,000 for the agency’s
30 human service and education programs.
Before sitting down to an authentic Cubanfeast, guests were treated to Havana delica-cies like mojitos and hand-rolled cigars.Meanwhile, roulette, blackjack and othergames of chance were played in the world-famous Riviera Casino. Once the sun wentdown, the party really heated up, as a 13-piece orchestra played a mix of Latinstandards and party tunes.
Fiesta Cuba was co-chaired by BoardMembers Patti Fast, Julie Graham, LaurieGrauer and Nonie Sullivan.
Guests Enjoy Sights, Sounds andTastes of Cuba at Annual Benefit
For more event photos and a list of ourgenerous sponsors, turn to pages 4-5.
Photos left, top to bottom: Lucy & Ricky. Fiesta Cuba Co-Chairs (l-r) Patti Fast, Laurie Grauer, Nonie Sullivan andJulie Graham. Richard and Justin Hokin.