Family Services of Westchester

upFAdLL 2010a tISe SUE SIXTEEN

Youth Councils Lobby for Gun Control, Encourage Tolerance, Create Literacy Film and Tend Community Garden Not every Westchester teen gets to travel to Albany to lobby for sensible gun legislation but that’s what members of the Westchester County Youth Council and the Westchester County Junior Youth Council did in late April. These fortunate teens were joined by 150 other high school students and community activists from around the state at the New Yorkers Against Gun Violence event. They also spoke to four state representatives, including Amy Paulin, Mike Spano, Ruth Hassell-Thompson and Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “The sky’s the limit for what these teens can do,” says Laura Achkar, former Director of Youth Empowerment Programs at FSW. “They have so much energy and enthusiasm that they bring a lot to any cause they embrace.” For the past 10 years, FSW has run the Senior Youth Council, whose members have traveled as far as Washington DC and Los Angeles to serve as advocates for issues concerning teens. This year, the senior group led the Youth Action Convention at , which drew 300 teens from across the county to discuss ways they can stop judging people and help prevent prejudicial behavior. “Both “The sky’s the limit for what these teens can do ”. Youth Councils succeed because the participants don’t limit themselves and their thinking is valued by the administrators who oversee the groups,” says Liz Mark, a strong county advocate for youth.

This year’s highlights for the senior group included: • Attending the NYS Youth Bureau Leadership Forum in Albany; • Participating in the Martin Luther King Youth Legacy Awards Ceremony; member Benjamin Muhammad won an Award in the Social Action category; • Participating in a MLK community service project, sorting relief supplies for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

To find out more about the The Westchester County Junior Westchester County Youth Youth Council, which consists of ado - Councils, contact Terrell lescents ages 11 to 13, were also high - Wheeler at (914) 872-5225. ly productive this past year. Led by Terrell Wheeler, Program Specialist, the members created a 22-minute documentary about the importance of Child Literacy; created a comic strip and poster campaign with car - toonist Jerry Craft to launch a book drive; and collected more than 500 new and used books for the Maria Fereri Children’s Hospital at the Westchester Medical Center. Recently, the group has been tending a community garden plot in Mount Vernon planting tomatoes, peppers, Members of the Westchester County Youth Council traveled to Albany to weigh in on the debate at the New Yorkers Against Gun Violence event. The students met basil and cucumbers. The produce will be collected and donated to with New York Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, top row center. soup kitchens throughout Mount Vernon.

FSW Collaborates with United Way on Two Major Initiatives $25,000 United Way Grant Aims to Help 20 At-Risk Youth A new “Participate to Graduate” initiative funded by a $25,000 grant from United Way will help 20 highly vulnerable Yonkers youth at risk for truancy stay in school and graduate from high school. These participants will be identified by the city and school dis - trict and will work within the framework of New Directions, an FSW intervention program designed to reduce juvenile offenses, and ADAPT, an FSW teen/parent mediation program. “We know that this model works well so we are optimistic that the students who participate in this program will stay in school and graduate,” says Marge Leffler, Vice President of Program Development for FSW. “The students identified for this project will be able to turn their lives around and be placed on a path that will lead to success in life.” “The initiative is unique in that it incorporates the entire family in the process,” explains Marissa Malett, Director of Criminal Justice Services at FSW. FSW social workers will conduct initial assessments and

continued on page 3 www.fsw.org 914-937-2320

Our Mission: A Letter from the CEO, Family Services of Westchester, founded in 1954, offers a broad range of social Susan B. Wayne and mental health services to strengthen and support families, children and As we begin a new academic year, Family Services of Westchester is proud to work collabora - individuals at every stage of the life tively with so many school districts around the county. Our social workers, many of whom work onsite in school buildings, offer counseling and support services to hundreds of students each cycle, from infancy to adulthood. year. We have many programs in place that help school children of all ages thrive and stay in school and graduate. Adoption & Children’s Services Big Brothers Big Sisters Our new Gang Prevention Services Program targets 120 Mount Vernon youth and intervenes to keep them out of gangs and in school. JLaw , a Juvenile Law Education Program, presents work - Camp Viva for families shops in schools that teach young people their rights and responsibilities under the law, noting living with HIV/AIDS how one wrong turn can ruin a student’s lifetime. Our Westchester Youth Council and Junior Youth Child and Family Clinic-Plus Council place 60 youth from around the county in leadership and peer advocacy roles. Bienvenidas Girls is a pregnancy prevention program at Port Chester High School that works with Early Childhood Services new immigrants to encourage them to stay in school and graduate. Although Port Chester has one of the highest pregnancy rates in the county, not one of the participants in this four-year-old Elder Abuse Prevention program has become pregnant. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) We also have thriving local chapters of three important national youth organizations: Enriched Housing for Seniors Big Brothers Big Sisters, AmeriCorps Future Leaders , and Head Start/Early Head Start .

Family Mental Health We are proud of our outreach to schools and to the students and families they educate. We hope all the families we serve, in school and out, have a healthy and productive school year. Family Support Services Fathers Count Susan B. Wayne FS Works Susan B. Wayne, Geriatric Outreach/ President, CEO Case Management Head Start/Early Head Start Home Health Care FSW Receives Grant from Alliance for Children and Intergenerational Families To Mentor a Peer Organization Adult Day Program Family Services of Westchester won a 12-month $18,500 grant from the Alliance for Children Parent Skills Training and Families to serve as a mentor to a peer organization, Operation ABLE, which is based in Detroit. The grant is part of the New Age of Aging, a major Partnership for Care five-year initiative designed to help prepare human HIV/AIDS Services service organizations to better serve older adults. The Prime Time Special-Ed Preschool $2.6 million New Age of Aging initiative is funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies. Special Needs Youth Programs “This important grant recognizes FSW as a leader in delivering innovative services to meet the needs of older Supported Youth Residences adults,” says Marge Leffler, Vice President of Program Yout h-At -Risk Interventions Development. “We are excited about this opportunity to work together with Operation ABLE and Spectrum Youth Mentoring Programs Human Services to develop strategies to strengthen services for older adults.” Westchester County Youth Councils “This important grant recognizes FSW as a leader in delivering innovative services to meet the needs of older adults.” FSW Update A publication of the Development Office FSW was selected to mentor Operation ABLE based on its experience launching FSWorks, a job-training and employment referral program that serves hundreds of older adults each year. Lynn Green, In collaboration with The Volunteer Center of United Way and Westchester Community College, Vice President, Development and External Affairs FSW opened the AARP Foundation employment referral program in Yonkers in May of 2009. Colleen Davis Gardephe, Operation ABLE, which is part of a large multiservice operation called Spectrum Human Services Marketing Associate and Affiliated Companies, also helps older workers upgrade their job skills and find employment. 2 PEACE Program Provides help for Divorcing Parents

For children, one of the toughest aspects of experiencing their New York State Office of Court Administration to launch the PEACE: parents’ divorce or separation is listening to them argue and Parenting Apart program. FSW’s educational program consists of seeing them angry. An educational program for divorcing and two classes, each three hours long, held one week apart. Lawyers, separating parents that was previously administered by the state judges, therapists and mediators provide legal and psychological and county court systems is now information about the divorce being run by Family Services of process to participants through Westchester. The aim of the program, called PEACE: Parenting For more information about PEACE: Apart, is to educate divorcing Parenting Apart, contact Monica parents on how to navigate the Rickenberg at (914) 964-6767, ext. 33 challenging process of divorce or e-mail her at [email protected] more smoothly, with the goal of reducing the stress on their lectures, videos, role-play and children. The program is open discussion. to parents going through a The program is designed for separation as well. parents to participate separately, “Divorce is difficult for every - not as a unit, and can be attended one involved, but parents can by only one parent. While judges take steps to minimize the can recommend that a parent negative effects of their disagree - attend, FSW also takes referrals for ments on their children,” notes the program from lawyers, media - Monica Rickenberg, Esq., LMSW, tors, social service agencies, clergy, Program Coordinator for PEACE: pediatricians and others. Parents Parenting Apart. “When parents actively try to reduce their can also volunteer to attend. Victims of domestic violence can conflicts and work together to be supportive, children handle the participate in the program but cannot be mandated to do so. “In divorce or separation better,” adds Rickenberg. situations where domestic violence has been an issue, parallel parent - Family Services of Westchester received a $20,000 one-year ing, in which parents have minimal or no contact, is preferable,” grant from the Parent and Education Awareness Program run by the explains Rickenberg. “Safety is always our number one priority.”

United Way from page 1 develop goals for each youth and his or her family. Families will be referred to community resources for substance abuse issues and housing, and other services. The youth selected will participate in peer groups that will emphasize life skills, their legal responsibilities and rights, communication skills and conflict resolution strategies. These peer groups will meet for 12 to 16 sessions in two cycles “...we are optimistic that the students per year, serving at least 20 youth annually. Parents and youth will participate in ADAPT mediation to reduce conflict who participate in this program will stay in the home and re-establish a positive rapport between parents and in school and graduate.” children. “Through these ADAPT sessions, FSW social workers will model strong parenting skills using effective communication strategies and conflict resolution approaches,” adds Malett. The goals of the program include: reduced truancy, increased attendance rates, a decrease in engagement of risky behavior and lower rates of reported conflicts with family members.

Head Start to Track Effectiveness of Early Childhood Education A second United Way grant of $27,500 will help prepare young children for success in school through a special initiative called “Thrive by Five.” Head Start Director Barbara Sommer notes that FSW was one of three organizations in Westchester, along with The Guidance Center and the Hendrick Hudson Public Library, chosen as grant recipients for this important initiative. “We are very excited about this grant and the opportunity it gives us to see which teaching strategies and classroom resources are most effective in increasing the literacy and school readiness of young students,” notes Sommer. As part of the initiative, Head Start will track the social, emotional and academic development of its students at various ages and stages. “We will use proven tools to measure the effectiveness of early childhood education in preparing children for elementary school,” adds Sommer.

3 Ray Rice, Tiki Barber, Mookie Wilson, and Bucky Dent Join 500 Guests at Glen Island Dinner

Adam Kintish and his two sons

Ron and Kerry Moelis with Mookie Wilson

Brandon Steiner and Keith Hernandez

Ximena Francella and her son Andy; Gustavo Trujielo

“This STAR Gala was one of the most successful fundraising dinners our organization has ever held”

Susan B. Wayne, President and CEO of Tiki Barber, FSW Chairman of the Board, Ed Foley, Jr. and Baltimore Ravens running Family Services of Westchester back, Ray Rice, recipient of FSW’s Star Spirit Award 19 Famous Athletes Salute Brandon and Mara Steiner of Steiner Sports at Family Services of Westchester’s STAR Gala 535 guests gathered at Glen Island Harbour Club recently to honor Brandon and Mara Steiner of Scarsdale at Family Services of Westchester’s STAR Gala. Ray Rice, Tiki Barber, Bucky Dent, Keith Hernandez and Anthony Mason were among 19 high-profile athletes who attended to salute the Steiners. Brandon Steiner is founder and CEO of Steiner Sports Marketing and Memorabilia, which is the largest company of its kind in the country. Headquartered in New Rochelle, Steiner Sports boasts an inventory of 10,000 collectible items and a relationship with more than 5,000 professional athletes. Verizon Fios was the Grand Galaxy Sponsor for the event and TD Bank was the Celestial Sponsor. Other corporate and institutional sponsors included Bronxcare Orthopedics of Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Credit Suisse, G-III Apparel Group, Howard Properties, Ltd., L & M Development Partners, Omnicom, RNC Industries, BD Realty, Rawlings Sporting Goods, The William Elaina, Renee and Ashley Mango and Sylvia Silberstein Foundation and Title Associates. Ray Rice, celebrated football player from and Rutgers University and now a running back with the Baltimore Ravens, was given The STAR Spirit Award by former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber. Roy Firestone, a prominent sports interviewer and seven-time winner of the Emmy Award, was the Master of Ceremonies for the event. “This STAR Gala was one of the most successful fundraising dinners our organization has ever held,” says Susan B. Wayne, President and CEO of Family Services of Westchester. “We were all so thrilled to see the Steiners receive the recognition they deserve. Their longtime commitment to the children FSW serves is truly remarkable.” A treat for the whole family, meeting Bucky Dent

The Steiner Family, Star Gala Honorees Nicole, Brandon, Mara and Crosby Big Brothers Big Sisters Hands Out Five BIG Awards to Community Partners US Tennis Association, Yonkers School District, Marlene Furtick Among BIG Recipients

To honor some of the individuals and corporations who have helped contribute to the growth and success of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester, the organization held its second “Big Breakfast” recently. Hosted by and held in the school’s historic Reid Castle, the breakfast gave BBBS of FSW the opportunity to honor four individuals, two school programs and one corporation. “Big Brothers Big Sisters is all about partnerships,” says Director Marsha Tom. “We work collaboratively with school districts, corporations, foundations and individuals to help children succeed through our mentoring programs, so it’s an honor to express our gratitude to some of our most loyal partners.” Five awards were presented at the breakfast, including: • The Youth Advocate Award: Marlene Furtick, the former Executive Director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau, received this award for her longstanding dedication to children and teens. • Educational Partnership Award: This important award was given to the Yonkers City School District and the Manhattanville College Duchesne Center. Dr. Stephanie Lemelle and Dr. Albert (George) Thomas won the • The Mentor Magic Award: Recipients Dr. Stephanie Lemelle and her Mentor Magic Award at the BIG Breakfast. They are pictured here husband Dr. Albert (George) Thomas served as mentors to a special with Marsha Tom, Director of FSW’s Big Brothers Big Sisters. needs child named Adam for 10 years. • The Caregiver Magic Award: Yvette Shattock, a Jamaican-born mother raising her two sons on her own, demonstrated her gratitude to the Big Brother Big Sisters program for finding a mentor and friend for her older son, Ian. • The Corporate Leadership Award: For the past five years, the United States Tennis Association–Eastern has provided scores of “Littles” with a special treat: tickets to Arthur Ashe Kids Day, the family celebration that kicks off the U.S. Open. “Big Brothers Big Sisters is all about partnerships.”

At the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony, Taren Washington, the principal at Scholastic Academy in Yonkers, delivered a keynote address, outlining the benefits her students have reaped from being mentored by high Susan Wayne, CEO and President of FSW, is pictured with school and college students: improved academic performance; increased Bernard P. Pierorazio, Superintendent of the Yonkers School attendance rates; and greater parent involvement. District, which won the Educational Partnership Award. “Bigs” and “Littles” Enjoy 6th Annual Summer Games

This year’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Sixth Annual Summer Games, held once again at , featured such fun activities as rock climbing, volleyball, soccer, basket - ball, football, jousting and Zumba. “This was one of our best events,” says Laura Rosen, a Mentor Manager for Family Services of Westchester’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program. “The weather, our sponsors and volunteers, the food and activities were all wonderful,” adds Rosen. Activities at this year’s event were made possible by generous corporate donors, including Pepsi, Goldman Sachs, New York Life, Steiner Sports Memorabilia, Sportime USA, Greenburgh Multiplex Theater, Build A Bear, TD Bank, Got Game, Fairview Golf Center, Longford’s Own- Made Ice Cream, and Modell’s. The Rye Country Day School offered its fields, gym facilities and cafeteria to BBBS of FSW for the sixth year in a row. Volunteers from Pepsi ran the fun-filled obstacle course and potato sack races while New York Life provided a dozen volunteers, many of whom helped out in the specially designed Kiddie Area. Twenty-five Goldman Sachs volunteers helped kids enjoy rock-climbing, jousting and football. “Without the generous support of our sponsors and the help of our volunteers, we would not be able to provide such a special event to the community,” notes Rosen.

Top: Skyler Conway and his Little Brother Jose enjoy the arts and crafts table at the Summer Games. Bottom: Debbie Linder, right, was matched with her Little Sister Zhane in April 2005. Photos courtesy of Riley Kaminer

6 home . t at gh ri ce n e r Blind Brook Students Create e f f Bikes for FSW Participants i A group of students from Blind Brook High d School’s Community Coalition Club worked with a FSW Danny’s Cycles in Scarsdale to build 18 bikes and g

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trikes for participants of FSW programs. “The i

kids were so excited to receive these bikes,” k says Gerry Goldberg, Director of Outreach for a M Happenings FSW. Participants from FSW’s Respite, Head Start, Therapeutic Foster Care and Big Brothers Big Sisters programs were the lucky recipients of the bikes. Mark Vavolizza, a member of FSW’s Youth Council, informed the Community Karen Fink, District Coalition Club of the needs of the non-profit’s Administrator, Port Chester; participants. Janice Girardi, Dean, School of Information Technology, and Susan Wayne, CEO of FSW Two FSW Employees Receive Recognition Karen Fink, District Manager of FSW’s Port Chester office, recently received The Extra Miles Award from the Port Chester Council of Community Services. Karen was honored for her work with the Port Chester Cares Monroe Students Community Coalition as well as for her years of service conduct equipment with the students and families involved with the Port audit under the Chester schools. supervision of Marissa Malett, Director of Criminal Justice Services Dr. Jacob Boaheng for FSW, was recently honored by the Department of Probation for the work she and her staff have done Monroe College Students Intern with the Fathers Count program. Marissa and her staff at FSW’s Tech Center help fathers involved with the criminal justice system develop job and parenting skills as they transition back Students from Monroe College’s School of into family and community life. Information Technology recently visited FSW’s Jerome Technology Learning Center to conduct an equipment audit of the 30 computer stations and make repairs. Beginning in the fall, they will be collaborating with FSW in a formal internship program as teaching assistants, helping FSW close the digital divide for Port Chester community residents. In addition to their teaching Kudos to FSW’s Outreach to responsibilities, they will also monitor the equipment Families with Children At Risk for and troubleshoot problems that arise with hardware and software in the Lab. Foster Care Placement “This is a wonderful collaboration on all fronts,” The New York State Office of Children and says FSW CEO Susan Wayne. “The students get direct, Family Services recently sent a letter to FSW hands-on experience, and our community members congratulating the agency on its successful benefit from their individual attention.” Preventive Services Step Down Program, which helps birth families keep their children from entering foster care by building up their parent - ing skills, reducing substance abuse and offer - ing community resources. “The Step Down Program continues to be successful in stabiliz - ing and strengthening the families who are at “Your staff goes above and beyond in an risk of having a child or children placed in foster care, or having a child returned home from effort to help the families they serve.” care,” notes the state office. “Your staff goes above and beyond in an effort to help the families they serve.”

7 Family Services of Westchester One Gateway Plaza NoN Profit orgaNizatioN Port Chester, NY 10573 US PoStagE PaiD WHitE PLaiNS, NY Family PErMit No. 699 Services of Westchester

F S update FALL 2010 ISSUE SIXTEEN W e. m o h t a t h ig r e c n e r e f f i d

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Join FSW on Facebook and YouTube

To reach a wider audience, provide faster agency updates and encourage more Westchester residents to get involved with the organization, Family Services of Westchester is tapping into the influence of several social networking sites. On Facebook, users can see updates to the agency’s offerings, photo albums from past celebrations, a listing of upcoming events and links to the agency’s 50 plus programs, newsletters, Annual Reports and press releases. “Facebook gives FSW a venue to broadcast our message and expand our outreach to potential volunteers and supporters,” notes Deborah Wilson, Assistant Director of Development for FSW. An FSW YouTube link connects followers to the agency’s own videos. FSW is also updating its website to make it more interactive and user-friendly. “We hope our friends will encourage their family members and co-workers to follow FSW in these new venues,” adds Wilson.

My Second Home Sponsors An Educational Luncheon Series For its first “Live, Learn, Lunch” program, My Second Home, FSW’s intergenerational adult day program, will tap the expertise of Dr. Alan R. Jacobs, who will speak on “Mind and Memory: How Not to Lose It.” Dr. Jacobs is an expert on disorders affecting the mind, including Alzheimer’s. At the Wednesday, September 29 luncheon from 12 to 2 pm, Dr. Jacobs will outline ways to remain mentally healthy. The luncheon, which costs $50, will take place at the Bedford Golf and Tennis Club in Bedford. Reservations are requested by September 27; please call (914) 937-2320 ext. 116 or email [email protected] to reserve a spot.