CORA CONNECTION
October 2018          




As the CEO of CORA, I have the privileged position of leading a team of professionals who
  are truly dedicated to meeting the unmet needs of children and families. Whether that be at school, home, or somewhere else in the community, CORA staff members   are focused on removing barriers and providing resources to help children thrive. 
 
At our all-staff orientations last month, I challenged our community to be  " caring creative non-conformists " , in the tradition of the Sisters of Good Shepherd. That means, if we can help it,  all  child ren   who come to CORA for services  will   be provided  what they need - academically, emotionally and sociall y .  No child or family is turned away.  I urged our staff to work collaboratively, across departments and with external partners,  to make sure that we can directly provide or link children and families to high-quality  services that can help them no matter the service  need
 
As a resource center for children and families, we are committed to providing support to overcome life's obstacles. There are so many ways to support our mission and get involved in the compassionate community that is CORA. You'll read about plenty of them in this month's issue of the CORA Connection. 
 
Just as the staff was encouraged to be mindful of the mission CORA was built on, I challenge you too to help CORA carry our mission into the future. With the utmost integrity, I assure you that our people and programs are worth supporting. As you read this update on what's happening at CORA  this  fall, consider doing one of the following to help CORA help more kids!
  • Attend a CORA event
  • Inquire about volunteering 
  • Make a gift or sponsor one of our programs 
  • Tell a friend about how CORA helped your family
  • Share this newsletter
Thanks as always for your time and interest.

AnnMarie Schultz, CEO, CORA Services


Positive Techniques to Counter Depressed Thoughts and Emotions in Children

October happens to be National Depression Awareness Month. Depression is often thought of as an adult illness and not always recognized when it affects children. However, depression does occur fairly often in young people and can manifest itself in ways which inhibit their ability to enjoy life. About one in five teens will experience depression at some point. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that approximately 11 percent of adolescents have a depressive disorder by age 18. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step in helping a depressed child or adolescent.

nami.org

When dealing with concerns of depression, it is important to create a network of support among family, friends, and health-care providers. Self-care behaviors are a vital part of treatment, including healthy eating and sleeping patterns, increasing physical activity, socializing with others, and personal hygiene. Symptoms of depression among teens can develop from various triggers, such as issues of bullying, excessive use of technology, low physical activity, and experimental substance use. There is a positive impact from educating children and adolescents on  how to implement mindfulness exercises and grounding techniques in order to gain more control of their emotions. Mindfulness coping skills bring awareness to at least one of the five senses of the body and tend to help balance both sides of the brain.                                     Read the entire article.

Kara DeVoe, MA, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and was hired in 2012 after graduating from La Salle University's Master's Program.  As a Family Intervention Counselor, she provides individual and family counseling in the Family Advocate Program, and provides individual and group counseling at the Philadelphia Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush High School in the School-Based Teen Intervention Program (TIP).  Kara is an integral part of the CORA Clinical Services Team.
Literacy Happens at CORA  begins this Thursday,  October 4th 
Literacy at CORA Fall Flyer October 2018


Is your child ready for kindergarten?

This fall, CORA is hosting a series of 1-hour family workshops to help parents prepare their preschoolers to enter kindergarten. The sessions are aimed at helping children embrace literacy with the help of their parents or caretakers. CORA's staff member Eric Smith and his awesome team will guide parents through fun activities and projects to instill the love of literature in young children ages 3-5.             Download flyer here


Free Spots Available at Early Years La Salle


Call 267.385.3436 for a tour! 
2 Penn Blvd. Ste. 220
Phila. PA 19144
 
CORA's Early Years at La Salle University  has been a Keystone Star Four facility for the past 5 years and parents greatly value the wonderful home away from home it is for their eager-to-learn preschoolers. Early Years La Salle recently partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to participate in the Pre-K Counts Program to provide free education to qualifying families

Many interested parents have toured Early Years La Salle already with hopes of enrolling their child in the program this fall, so there is limited space available. 

Parents are encouraged to tour the facility as soon as possible and get on the waiting list long before their child turns 3. To learn more about the program, call the director, Melody Dougherty at 267-385-3436. 



Pennsylvania's First and Only Recovery High School

OPEN HOUSE   Thursday, October 18th 
6:30-8:30 PM
7360 Jackson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19136
267-437-2194

Do you know a teen who has struggled with substance abuse? 

Research shows that 8 out of 10 students, returning to previousl y a ttended high schools during early recovery, relapse within 6 months. Recovery education is just what an adolescent needs to stay in recovery while completing high school. CORA invites you to learn more about the Bridge Way School by attending their open house. Meet the students, the teachers, and the Director, Rebecca Bonner, and learn more about how you can support teens in recovery that are working toward attaining their high school diplomas. 
CORA recognizes Bully Prevention Month 

On Thursday, October 18, 2018, CORA is hosting its annual Peer Helper Conference titled, " Be an Upstander: Peer Helpers Lead the Way!", which takes place during Bullying Prevention Month. Christa Tinari, MA, a passionate and inspiring speaker, educator, and trainer, will be bringing her expertise in Bullying Prevention and Social-Emotional Learning, to train the students. They will come away with practical skills they can use to be upstanders and positive leaders among their peers at their respective schools.

Each year, school counselors from six local elementary schools train selected eighth graders to gain leadership skills and make a difference in their schools through the Peer Helper Program.  This tradition has been helping students for more than 20 years!  CORA school counselors continually promote bullying prevention by providing classroom and school-wide presentations in over 50 non-public schools in Philadelphia.

CORA is looking for graduates of our Peer Helper program, or students that were assisted by CORA Peer Helpers, that would be willing to share grade school or high school experiences. Tell us about how an older Peer Helper left an impression on you. 
Did you benefit from tutoring provided by an 8th grade Peer helper? 
Did you gain leadership experience volunteering as a mentor? 
Were you befriended or helped out of a tough situation by a Peer Helper? 
Let us know!

CORA would like to commend the counselors and students 
that make a difference in our schools every day. 

If you have story to share, please email rmcgonigle@coraservices.org. 
CORA's 2018 Champions for Children Celebration

Salute our 2018 CORA Champions 
at the Union League at Torresdale on 
Tuesday, November 27, 2018. 

Civic Champion - Sister Donna Shallo, IHM

Corporate Champion - Plumbers Union Local 690




CORA's  Fall '18 Apparel Collection  is on sale now.

CORA has partnered with LLoyd Sixsmith Sporting Goods to create an online store where you can purchase CORA t-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets. All orders must be placed online by Sunday, October 14, 2018.






Your shopping can make a difference. Do your Amazon shopping here on Amazonsmile and
 Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchases to CORA! 


 
CORA Services
8540 Verree Road
Philadelphia, PA 19111
215.342.7660

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