Our mission is to provide individuals and families in need with services, opportunities, and the tools they require to lead satisfying and productive lives.

BOARD OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

Eileen Ward

VICE PRESIDENT

Thomas S. Cunha

TREASURER

Eric Philippii

VICE TREASURER

Carol Bratley

SECRETARY

Susan Mullen

BOARD DIRECTORS

Jim Henry

Lorrie Morton

John L. Tobin, Esq.

Phyllis Hickey

Edward M. Katz

James P. Collins

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Executive Director

Terry Kennedy

(P) 617-241-8866 Ext. 1312

TKennedy@KennedyCenter.org

Director of Children's Services

Kathy Torosian

(P) 617-241-8866 Ext. 1340

KTorosian@KennedyCenter.org

Enrollment Coordinator

Jackie Blaikie

(P) 617-241-8866 Ext. 1339

JBlaikie@KennedyCenter.org

Controller

Joe Maciel

(P) 617-241-8866 Ext. 1311

JMaciel@KennedyCenter.org

Community Services Coordinator

Le My To

(617) 398-6242

LTo@kennedycenter.org

Director of Capacity and Program Development

Crystal Galvin

(617) 580-8140 cgalvin@KennedyCenter.org

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Dining for a Cause

Thank you to all who supported us at the Dining for a Cause Event at the 99 Charlestown on November 5th. It was a fun night out. I hope to see you all again soon.

JFK Early Education Centers

Enroll NOW!

The JFK Early Education Centers are still accepting applications for the 2014-2015 School Year! Parents or caregivers with children ages 3-5 are welcome to register. Programs include: Head Start, Extended Day, After-school, Early Education, and Childcare Services.

For more information about: Head Start, Extended Day, or Afterschool at 23A Moulton St. please contact Jackie Blaikie, Enrollment Coordinator at (617) 241-8866 Ext. 1339.

Annual Flea Market ~ Thursday and Friday December 4th and 5th at 55 Bunker Hill St.

If you have gently used items that you are no longer using please consider donating them to the John F. Kennedy Family Service Center's 2014 Annual Flea Market. This event will be held at our Community Resource Center (55 Bunker Hill Street) on Thursday and Friday December 4th and 5th.

The Kennedy Center sponsors this annual event to provide low income families the opportunity to purchase quality used merchandise at reasonable prices in an effort to stretch their purchasing power during the holiday season. The funds raised by this event support the Kennedy Center's (self-funded) antipoverty services including the continued operation of our Community Resource Center.

Below is a listing of the kinds of items that have been popular in previous years:

Children Clothes, Children's Shoes, and Toys

Men's Coats,

Women's Coats and Accessories

Household Items and Small Appliances

Sporting Equipment and Bicycles

Electronics (please no old computers and/or monitors)

Children's Books, Books on Tape, Music CDs, and Video Game Discs

Holiday Items and Small Pieces of Furniture

Donations can be dropped off the Kennedy Center's Community Resources Center located at 55 Bunker Hill Street between 8:30 AM and noon and 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday starting on November 17th. The last day donations can be accepted is Wednesday December 3rd. If you are unable to drop off items at this location or during these hours please call Le at 617-398-6242 to schedule an alternative drop off option.

Thanks for your support of the Kennedy Center's Mission.

The Kennedy Center is helping seniors stay healthy.

Over 50 seniors received FREE Flu shots last week at the Kennedy Center Flu Clinic at Robert A. Georgine Towers. Special thanks to our incredible partners at the MGH IHP and Paul Sullivan, Manager of Georgine Towers.

For more information about the flu shot, please click the link below:

10 Flu myths: Harvard Health Publications

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Holiday Gift Drive is underway!

The Annual Kennedy Center Holiday Gift Drive is underway!

Families

If you would like to sign up to receive Christmas Gifts, please contact: Martha Auerbach, at (617) 241-8866 ext. 1338 or email mauerbach@kennedycenter.org by Friday, December 12th at 5:00PM.

Sponsors

If you would like to sponsor a family this year, please see below for important information.

Gifts Can be dropped off at the Kennedy Center's Main Office, located at 23A Moulton St.

Monday - Friday from 9:00AM - 5:30PM,

Saturday, December 6th 10AM-12PM or Saturday, December, 13th 10AM -12PM.

The Deadline for sponsors to drop off gifts to the Kennedy Center will be: Wednesday, December 17th at 6PM.

If you are interested in helping the program shop for gifts, become a secret Santa! Please contact Jane Reitz at (617) 959-1624 or jreitz@kw.com.

Monetary Donations will also be accepted. Cash will be used to purchase gifts for any wish lists that were not sponsored.

Please mail checks to

John F. Kennedy Family Service Center

Attn: Holiday Gift Drive

23A Moulton St.

Charlestown, MA 02129

For additional details and instructions, please click the following link: Kennedy Center Holiday Drive - Donor Instructions

Thank you!

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Holiday Resources

Looking for assistance with holiday presents for your family? See this link for a resource list for possible agencies that can assist.

Holiday Help 2014

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Kennedy Center Staff Around Town

Team Kennedy Center at the Charlestown Stroll for Hope

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Upcoming Events

Please support the Kennedy Center on #GivingTuesday, December 2nd 2014.

What is #Giving Tuesday?

#GivingTuesday, is a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. http://www.givingtuesday.org/

Follow the Kennedy Center on social media:

@kennedyfsc

/JohnF.KennedyCenter, Inc.

Join us ~ Kennedy Center Annual Community Luncheon ~

Wednesday, December 17th from 12:30PM - 2:30Pm at 55 Bunker Hill St. For more information, please contact Le at lto@kennedycenter.org.

Ready for Reading

Boston Public Library-Charlestown Branch Children's Librarian, Laura Miller

For more information, please contact:

Laura Miller

Charlestown Public Library

179 Main Street

Charlestown, MA 02129

(617) 242-1248

Monday 12:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday 10:00 am- 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Thursday 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

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Calendar of Events

The Kennedy Center wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!

All offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th.

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Donations and Volunteering

The Kennedy Center gladly accepts donations.

Are you interested in making a donation to the Kennedy Center to help support the vital services we provide to the Charlestown community? You can now donate to the Kennedy Center using PayPal.

Below are items that are currently needed for families and teachers at the Kennedy Center.

Basic essentials: Underwear, Diapers, Toiletries

Children's Computer Programs (64 byte)-especially computer programs that are focused on learning

The Kennedy Center is also seeking volunteers. Below is a list of ways to volunteer:

1. Call BINGO at the Senior Center at 100 Ferrin Street on Wednesday and/or Friday from 12:15-2:00.

2. Reading a story to children in our early childhood education programs.

3. Picking up donations from Cradles to Crayons in Brighton, and delivering them to the Kennedy Center.

4. Helping teach people how to use a computer at our 55 Bunker Hill Street location.

5. Helping plan fundraising events.

6. Helping with our community newsletter.

7. Helping with Fair Foods on Thursday afternoons.

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If you would like more information about our programs, volunteering, or donating to the Kennedy Center, please contact Crystal Galvin, Director of Capacity and Program Development, at cgalvin@kennedycenter.org or (617) 580-8140.

Sincerely,

Crystal Galvin

Director of Capacity and Program Development

John F. Kennedy Family Service Center, Inc.