Welcome to our second quarterly edition of Postings, PEI Kids' e-newsletter. Here are some of the great things happening at PEI Kids...
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SVU LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Chief, Special Victims Unit meets with Mother/Daughter Support Group
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(L to R) Counselor, Lisa Arnold, Dr. Brooks, Timothy Ward (Chief, SVU), Counselor, Stacy Basara |
We are fortunate to be in a community that cares. Each year, PEI Kids invites guest presenters to speak with members of our Mother-Daughter Support Group. These presenters generously provide important services and information covering a range of issues and topics addressing the needs, risks, and interests of girls and women with a history of sexual abuse.
On Wednesday, April 24th, Timothy Ward, Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor/Chief, Special Victims Unit, met with support group participants to discuss a range of important issues, answer diverse questions and provide education around child sexual abuse, safety planning, victim/witness support, Megan's Law, and the role of the Prosecutor, victim, witness and family in the litigation process.
"This session was one of our most well-attended support group meetings of the year," explained Clinical Director, Dr. Juanita Brooks, "illustrating the importance of strong community partnerships in meeting the needs of crime victims." PEI Kids works closely with the Mercer County Prosecutors Office to provide counseling and support services to child victims of sexual abuse and to coordinate additional needed services for victims and their families during litigation.
PEI Kids' Clinical Director, Dr. Juanita Brooks, is a member of the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) which is a collaborative of the Special Victims Unit, DCP&P, and other community-based service providers to ensure that victims receive a seamless continuum of services to meet their needs following the disclosure or discovery of child sexual abuse.
PEI Kids' Mother/Daughter Support Group meets year-round on alternating Wednesdays and is open to child victims of sexual abuse, their mothers, and maternal caregivers. For information, call 609.695.3739 and speak with Stacy Basara, Program Coordinator, or visit our website.
We would like a
cknowledge and thank Assistant Prosecutor, Timothy Ward, for such informative and meaningful engagement with our group, with a special thanks to the Mercer County Prosecutors Office for its ongoing and generous support
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"DENIM & DIAMONDS AT THE BOATHOUSE" MAKES A SPLASH!
PEI Kids' 28th Annual Gala and Auction marks another successful event
In the warm night air on Friday, May 10th, over 200 guests, friends, and supporters gathered at The Boathouse at Mercer Lake in West Windsor for PEI Kids' 28th Annual Gala & Auction, "Denim & Diamonds at The Boathouse." The event included a relaxed agenda, passed hors d'eouvres, buffet dinner with various food stations, and free run of the Boathouse from the ballroom to the outdoor deck.
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Special thanks to the volunteers from Bloomberg LP who transformed The Boathouse for our Denim & Diamonds theme. |
This year's event was co-chaired by Francesca Bartlett and Marcus Hand, and included special guest host, Eric Scott, from NJ 101.5 radio, who emcee'd the event.
Exclusive and one-of-a-kind packages were featured in the live and silent auctions, including tickets to a NY Giants home game with second-row field seating donated by Tom and Fran Bartlett, one-week luxury-condo vacation in Williamsburg, VA (anonymous donor), St. John original shoulder tote donated by Nicholas and Michelle Ventura, ground-level box seats for a Phillies home game donated by David and Marlene Thompson, a classic diamond necklace donated by Nancy Fennelly, and an incredible "denim & diamonds" package valued at over $4,000 with diamond jewelry donated by Hamilton Jewelers and denim accessories donated by COACH.
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Legendary sports announcer, Michael Barkann, with PEI Kids auction winners Arlene Wertman and Barbara Freeth at a Phillies game earlier this month |
With the support of over 30 sponsors, this event is PEI Kids' biggest fundraising effort of the year. It generates an important share of the agency's operating and program revenue for its child abuse prevention and intervention programs which serve abused children and at-risk youth. "I always look forward to this event," said Roz Dashiell, PEI Kids' Executive Director, "it's one of those special times during the year that we are able to bring together our PEI Kids family to celebrate our legacy while also supporting the mission's work into the future."
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Family Room dedication generates enthusiastic support, lovely tributes
At our 28th Annual Gala & Auction, PEI Kids provided the opportunity for a lucky bidder to name and dedicate our Family Visitation room. This opportunity was so popular, and the bidding so intense, that two bidders agreed to mutually dedicate this special space.
PEI Kids Family Rooms provide a welcoming, family-friendly space  where children in foster care spend quality time with their biological family members during their out-of-home placement. "We provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can visit with parents and siblings, strengthen family bonds, and share in important family milestones," says PEI Kids' Executive Director Roz Dashiell.
For 2019-2020, our primary Family Room will be dedicated on behalf of Francesca and Tom Bartlett who have been faithful supporters of PEI Kids' mission over many years. Since the Bartlett family first dedicated this space in 2015, it has become even more central to the agency's work. During busy counseling periods, the Family Room serves as overflow counseling room, enabling our staff to schedule additional children for therapy sessions.
The Infant/Toddler Family Room will be dedicated on behalf of long-time friends and supporters, Angela Leaney and Dan Hogan, "in loving memory of Dolores and Harry Hogan" to honor Dan's parents and Angela's loving parents in-law. Dedication of both rooms will be memorialized with a tribute plaque mounted outside each room. "It is incredibly moving to see the names of our steadfast supporters so represented in the agency everyday. We know that we simply could not do this work without their generous and thoughtful support," added Dashiell.
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PEI Kids' Clinical Director
Dr. Juanita Brooks |
OUR WINNING TEAM
On Saturday, March 9th, PEI Kids' Clinical Director, Dr. Juanita Brooks,
was recognized during an award ceremony presented by the Capital City Area Black Caucus during its Women's History Month Celebration. The event was designed to recognize and salute women in leadership and service in the Capital City area.
Dr. Brooks leads PEI Kids' Crisis Intervention for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse counseling program. In addition to being recognized by the Capital City Area Black Caucus, Dr. Brooks received a citation from the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders and from The State of New Jersey Senate and General Assembly. She shared, "It is a tremendous honor to be nominated and recognized in this manner for doing work that I care about so deeply."
Congratulations, Dr. Brooks, and thank you for all the tremendous good you do in our community!
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PEER-TO-PEER FUNDRAISING EXTENDS YOUR IMPACT
You've probably seen the new trend in online giving lately -- birthday fundraising. Did you know that you can use Facebook's fundraising tools to raise money for a cause you care about ?
If this sounds like a win-win to you, you can request that your Facebook friends donate throughout your birthday month to a cause that you support by going to your Facebook page, creating a fundraising campaign, specifying the goal/amount that you want to raise, and selecting your charity of choice. You can select Prevention Education, Inc. to have your "gifts" donated to PEI Kids.
Facebook w
ill process all donations received through your campaign and forward them with no processing fees or charges deducted. So, 100% of your donations will benefit the cause you care about. What a great way to give to your favorite charity while celebrating your special day! For information or to set up your campaign, visit: https://www.facebook.com/fundraisers?birthday&source=search_shortcut
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Keep our children safe. Donate today!
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| Thank you for your continued support! |
| Mission Statement PEI Kids is dedicated to promoting and maintaining a safe environment for all children. PEI Kids works with the child, family, and caregiver to provide prevention, intervention and advocacy programs relating to personal safety, sexual abuse, and the overall well-being of the child. |
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