Everyone loves CORA .. even Danny Devito!

CORA CONNECTION

February 2017

CORA Empowers Our Community

February is the month typically dedicated to love and kindness - I can honestly say that my CORA colleagues dedicate every day, all year long, to this.

Showing their clients, and each other, compassion and respect and motivating them to move forward are hallmarks of how CORA operates. In fact, the only thing CORA loves more than helping people is empowering people to help themselves.

There are endless examples of how CORA empowers its clients. If you haven't yet seen CORA's video, I urge you to watch and then please share with a friend! As you listen to Danny DeVito explain all the ways CORA shows love to its clients, I think you'll see exactly what I mean. From the special needs toddler who was thriving in our Early Years Pre-K Program, to the student who overcame a speech impediment by working with Eric Smith, our Speech Therapist, our clients remain number one in our hearts and we'll do everything we can to support them. Check out the video here on our homepage - scroll down to view.

Recently we announced a new scholarship opportunity for students who participate in the CORA Peer Helper Programs run by our counselors at 6 local grade schools. Each year, starting this May, we'll be awarding one 8th grade student $1,000 to support them as they move on to pursue secondary education. Applicants must show that they have acted as leaders and contributed positively to their schools, by acting as mentors to younger children and empowering them to be better students.

Just last week, CORA opened its doors and welcomed more than 100 concerned community members to a listening session addressing the opioid crisis in Philadelphia. On April 22, CORA will host our 5th Annual Family Festival where we welcome families to enjoy outdoor activities and learn about local resources that could benefit them. I look forward to seeing you there and and appreciate your support of this wonderful tradition!

Since CORA's founding, we have built on Sr. Charity's mission of supporting families through care and compassion and we continue to use her vision as a guiding factor when hiring staff at every level, implementing programs and making organizational decisions. We look to her legacy to empower our team as we embrace the organization-wide strategic planning process later this month.

Gratefully,

AnnMarie Schultz

CORA Announces Scholarship Opportunities

CORA Services is seeking applications and nominations for two $1,000 scholarships that will benefit local students.


	Jim Harron and Christian Brown, Classroom Champion 2015

The Classroom Champion Award was established almost 10 years ago to assist a deserving "CORA Kid" who has worked to overcome social or academic challenges. The James F. Harron Classroom Champion Award, named in honor of CORA's longtime President and CEO, was established to reward an extraordinary high school student who has received services from CORA. It was initiated to acknowledge an 11th or 12th grader who has overcome considerable adversity and achieved notable academic progress and/or made significant contributions to their school or community. The award winner will receive a $1,000, made payable to their high school, college, university or trade school.

CORA's newest scholarship opportunity, The Peer Helper Award was established to reward an exceptional 8


Blessed Trinity Peer Helpers

th grade student for their participation in CORA's Peer Helper Program, which fosters leadership and enables st udents to mentor younger children and serve as positive role models. CORA Counselors run Peer Helper Programs at 6 area Catholic grade schools, St. Anselm, St. Christopher, St. Martha, St. Matthew, Blessed Trinity and Holy Innocents. Peer Helpers is approaching its 25th anniversary and CORA is excited to celebrate this impactful program by rewarding a current Peer Helper with $1,000 to the high school of the recipient's choice to supplement their tuition.

The deadline to apply for both scholarships is Friday, May 5, 2017 and the criteria is outlined on CORA's website, www.coraservices.org. The scholarship winners will be announced in June 2017. Gifts to support the scholarships can also be made on CORA's website.

Peer Helper Alum Pays It Forward

Looking back on her childhood, Andrea is grateful for the role CORA Services played in her development, socially and emotionally. According to Andrea, there were a few very rough years, during elementary school, where she changed schools and experienced some family hardships. While she was a third grade student at St. Bartholomew's, her parents divorced. She says it was her CORA Counselor, Gloria, who saved her.

"Gloria gave me the attention I needed to make me feel special and taught me to be self-reliant, so I could overcome my difficult family situation".

CORA's Counselors are highly professional and specially trained to recognize the warning signs children exhibit, and step in and offer help where needed. Gloria saw a young girl that needed guidance - she stepped in at the right time and it made all the difference for Andrea. She helped Andrea focus on the positive aspects of school and get involved in sports. It was because of CORA and Gloria's compassion and dedication that Andrea gained confidence.

Read the whole article here to see how Andrea gave back to CORA

See More Photos from Andrea's Pay it Forward Party.