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Would you like to play a game with me?  The first five people to click on any link in this email will get recognition in our next newsletter. The first two people to click on the Dubus fundraising link AND register for the event AND forward this newsletter on to a friend who is not on our mailing list  will get a free autographed copy of Townie.    You may wonder how we can track this.  It's magic! It works.   I'll know immediately who has won and I will let you know.

Why did I invite you to play this game?  Because we feel so strongly about our mission that we want more people to know about it.  We are asking you to help by forwarding this newsletter to others. Recently I learned of the strangling death of a toddler in Jamestown, NY, where I used to live.  The toddler was left with a 14 year old who was not prepared for his crying.  So she strangled him.  His life is over.  Her life is also over. And the family will live with all of this all of their years.  This kind of a death is completely avoidable.  With the education and training we provide, parents and caretakers learn ways to handle the stress of raising children.  They also learn the tools necessary to give the child the best start in life possible.  It matters to us and we hope it matters to you.  

So, join us at the event and please share this newsletter with others who may be interested in hearing Andre AND supporting our mission.  

Maggie Monroe-Cassel
Executive Director
October Fundraising Breakfast
A ndre Dubus III climbed to the level of a
New York Times  best-selling author.  His roots here humble.  Andre was raised in post-industrial Haverhill, MA.  His parents were divorced.  He lived with his mom and siblings in an apartment that they had to vacate for a few weeks each year when the landlord used it for his own family.  He spent a lot of time on the streets in a then struggling city.  He learned how to cope.  One way was to work out so he could beat up the kids who beat him up. He had another way to cope: writing. He rose to fame in the publishing of his book House of Sand and Fog .   Dubus will be the keynote speader  at a breakfast event to support Good Beginnings on October 29th at The Common Man in Claremont.  He will share some of his stories from his memoire  Townie.   His stories are a kin to the stories of the families we serve.   Click here to learn more about Andre. Click here for more information and to register for the event. 
Stroller Parade
"A Stroll Down Broadway" is the theme for the first annual stroller pararde sponsored by Good Beginnings of Sullivan County.  Decorate a stroller or wagon and join us at the corner on Board and Tremont Streets in Claremont on Thursday, September 17th from 6-6:30 pm. The walk will be short.  We will loop down to Stevens High School and then back to the parking lot of Claremont Savings Bank.  Refreshments will be available there.  Raffles and prizes will also be part of the event.  
"We wanted to do a family friendly event that also gives us a chance to promote our mission of caring for the health and development of area children," said Executive Director Maggie Monroe-Cassel.  Everyone, participant and spectator alike, is welcome to come.  There is $10 fee for entering one stroller or wagon.  If a family wants to do more than one, the fee is $20 for 2 or more entries per family.  Click here to register on line.
SHINE
SHINE will be offered after-school at Stevens High School in Claremont on Thursdays this year.

Newport Middle High School & Fall Mountain Regional High School schedules to be announced soon.

Brain Building In Progress

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley have launched "Brain Building in Progress (BBIP)." This is a statewide public awareness campaign to convey the importance of investing time and resources in young children.


 

Through "Five Ways to Be a Brain Builder," the campaign's key messages translate the science of brain development to communicate that everyone can be a "brain builder." Among the campaign's primary messages are:

1) "Make Every Moment a Brain Building Moment" to foster positive interactions anywhere, anytime; 
2) "Look for Brain Building Zones" to create safe, child-friendly environments; 
3) "Build Your Knowledge: The More We Know, the More We'll Help Children Grow" to increase knowledge of the early childhood education sector; 
4) "Make the Connections That Build Young Brains" to engage with families and communities; and 
5) "Lead So That Young Children Succeed" to focus on leadership and advocacy.

 

 Click here to read the full article.
Children in poverty

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, one out of five American children live in poverty, and we have the Great Recession to blame. Today, 22 percent of children live in poverty, up from 18 percent in 2008.  "Despite policies and programs designed to help families recover, the economic slowdown left many families behind," said Laura Speer. She is the Casey Foundation's associate director for policy reform and advocacy and oversees the national KIDS COUNT project.

 

Click here for more information.

Visit Second Beginnings, our gently used children's clothing store supporting our mission.  109 Pleasant St, Claremont, NH. Tues-Sat, 10-4.
So we hope that you have enjoyed receiving this enewsletter. Again, please help us out by passing it along to your friends who are also concerned about children and families.

Sincerely,

Maggie Monroe-Cassel 
(603) 542 1848