For friends and supporters of Kids In Crisis
|
|
For more information on our exciting upcoming events, please visit
KIDS CHALLENGE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Monday, Sept 23, 2019 Woodway Country Club, Darien
Chair: Cory Solomon
|
|
EFFECTING POSITIVE CHANGE
Kids In Crisis looks ahead
by Shari L. Shapiro, Executive Director
While our
SafeHaven
shelter continues to be the only shelter in Connecticut that accepts children from 0 - 18 who are facing crisis, we also know that helping families navigate challenges before they escalate into crisis is even better. This year Kids In Crisis continues to play an integral role in advocating for child welfare at local, state and national levels by constantly working in partnership with agencies, legislators, youth, parents and schools.
|
|
Right now
Kids In Crisis is seeing an increase in unstably-housed and homeless youth. Kids In Crisis’ presence is critical in helping the state address this vulnerable population. Children and youth need a voice and it’s our job to help to bring that voice to the forefront to effect positive change.
This past year Kids In Crisis welcomed
Lighthouse
into our family, and we are looking forward to helping even more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) teens live their best, healthiest and most authentic lives.
In addition, we continue to focus on bringing our expertise in prevention and early intervention into the area schools, after school programs and overall community through our existing
SafeTalk, TeenTalk
and soon-to-be
KidTalk
programs, and through a new pilot program called Emotion Locomotion.
Thanks for your continued support of our organization. Please stay connected. Even more good things are coming to Kids In Crisis!
|
|
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Spotlight on multi-generational giving
Ralph Wyman is a longtime friend, champion and donor to the Kids In Crisis family. He is the Senior Advisor of GenSpring SunTrust Wealth Management and has actively volunteered and advocated for Kids In Crisis and the surrounding community for over 25 years. Ralph currently serves on the Kids In Crisis Board of Directors and Finance Committee. He is committed to giving back to children.
|
|
|
Following in his exemplary footsteps, three generations plus extended family support the long-term sustainability of Kids In Crisis through the generosity of his family foundation, the Panwy Foundation.
Our Individual Giving team had the pleasure of catching up with Ralph recently. At 93 years young, there is a lot of life, experience, and wisdom to gain from our community role model. One can catch a small glimpse of it by visiting his family offices where the walls are adorned from top to bottom with photographs taken by him and his brother documenting extraordinary experiences and adventures living and traveling across the globe, ultimately bringing the family to Greenwich.
A true ‘phil’-‘anthropist’, Ralph’s adventures and stories reinforce his love for mankind. Ralph shared with us the importance of building a strong family, reputable company and most importantly, a caring community of philanthropists that can give back to where he feels there is the most need. “Children are our future.”
When asked how he was able to instill a culture of philanthropy in his children, grandchildren, grandnieces and nephews, he responded “Strictly by example and I am pleased they got the message.”
|
|
REED REACHES DEEP FOR KIDS IN CRISIS
Dedicated and passionate volunteers
|
|
|
|
Employees at Reed Exhibitions (RX-Norwalk) are some of Kids In Crisis’ most dedicated and passionate volunteers.
They’ve been in our emergency shelter cleaning, painting, redecorating, baking cookies and making dinner with the residents. They’ve planted vegetable and flower gardens on our campus, and collected school supplies and holiday gifts for our kids. They field teams of walkers and runners at our annual Stamford
KIC IT Races
fundraiser, and they
|
|
volunteer as facilitators of our
Lighthouse
program for LGBTQ teens. Many volunteer on their own time, in addition to using their company’s allocated community service hours.
Thanks to the continued and enthusiastic support of the Rx-Norwalk volunteers, Kids In Crisis has been a grateful recipient of funding from their parent company RELX’s global giving program called ‘RE Cares’, for several years. These funds have supported our
TeenTalk
program in the Norwalk school system.
“It is Kids In Crisis’ commitment to being there for children in need of a safe space, that drives the deep level of engagement from our employees, it’s really as simple as that”, said Christine Seiden, RX Norwalk’s Manager of Corporate Responsibility. “And each time an RX-Norwalk employee has their first experience working with Kids In Crisis I know it won’t be their last.”
|
|
Thanks to new targeted funding
|
Thanks to new targeted funding from the Dalio Foundation, Kids In Crisis now has state-of-the art, specially designed case management software. All client data resides in a single database that is accessible to all appropriate staff. The data only has to be entered once, thus streamlining the process and minimizing the possibility for lost or incorrect data due to entries by multiple staff or misplaced paper forms. Kids In Crisis designed the workflow for the software and has tremendous flexibility in what and how data is collected. Reports can be designed in house. And the database can be edited and added to at any time.
With the new tool our Quality Assurance (QA) team can provide up-to-the-minute data to inform the work of both Program and Development staff. For example, direct care staff who access real time data can track the progress an individual is making toward his or her treatment goals. What the data reveals enables the clinician to make timely appropriate treatment modifications. With the same data available to them, Development staff can see and report to funders on the number of clients who have successfully met their treatment goals. Director of QA, Michael Ferguson says, “Real time data that informs Program while it enhances Development’s efforts to raise needed support is truly a win-win for Kids In Crisis.”
|
|
|
|
Since 2012
Lighthouse
has been a welcoming, inclusive and safe space where lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and their allies meet. Earlier this year Lighthouse officially became a program of Kids In Crisis, which has helped expand the group’s reach. Lighthouse provides a platform for teenage voices that are often struggling to be heard.
The group currently meets weekly in Stamford, dinner is provided, and new faces are always welcome.
“Response to the program has already been tremendous,” says
Lighthouse
Adult Facilitator Joe Belisle. “We are looking forward to helping even more LGBTQ youth to live their best, healthiest and most authentic lives.”
Additional group locations will be added and a speaker series is being planned.
Lighthouse
is looking for volunteers to help facilitate groups, and those interested should email
Lighthouse@kidsincrisis.org
for more information.
|
|
MOBILIZING EMOTION LOCOMOTION
Adding social emotional learning to academic curricula is imperative to student success, according to a ground-breaking report from the Aspen Institute.
Children are better learners when their social and emotional needs are met, and Kids In Crisis’ new pilot program funded by the Junior League of Greenwich,
Emotion Locomotio
n addresses exactly that.
Emotion Locomotion
is a series of sessions designed for pre-k and elementary students to learn about feelings and emotions, and how to explore them without judgement. Each session begins with a mindfulness breathing exercise, or a yoga pose, and continues with activities that help empower these students to manage their own feelings. They identify their own individual coping mechanisms to help them avoid negative behaviors.
Emotion Locomotion
serves approximately six children, chosen by teachers and school staff. It runs for 12 sessions. Kids In Crisis works closely with school personnel to share each child’s progress and tailor the sessions to meet the needs of each student. We hold frequent meetings with both parents and school staff to educate them on the importance of teaching social emotional skills both at school and home.
|
|
With mounting, undeniable evidence that adolescent students are struggling to navigate troubling issues, more and more schools are looking to Kids In Crisis and its
TeenTalk
program for support. Our Master’s level
TeenTalk
Counselors provide confidential counseling, referrals, and crisis prevention education and intervention to thousands of students, staff and families in Fairfield County.
Kids In Crisis’ 24-hour confidential helpline, face to face outreach, and crisis intervention supplement the program, proving an invaluable resource to help any child facing crisis.
TeenTalk
is currently in the following schools:
• Academy of Information Technology and Engineering (AITE), Stamford
• Brien McMahon High School, Norwalk
• Central Middle School, Greenwich
• East Ridge Middle School, Ridgefield
• Eastern Middle School, Greenwich
• New Canaan High School
• Newtown High School
• Norwalk High School
• Ridgefield High School
• Western Middle School, Greenwich
• Wilton High School
If you would like
TeenTalk
at your middle or high school, please call Kids In Crisis’ Managing Director, Denise Qualey, at 203-622-6556.
If you or someone you know is concerned about the well-being of a child, please call our 24-hour helpline 203-661-1911.
|
|
JUNE 23RD MARKS FINAL
STAMFORD KIC IT RACES TRIATHLON
New races coming in 2020!
|
|
Kids In Crisis will host its 12th and final triathlon of the Stamford KIC IT Race Series on Sunday, June 23rd at Cummings Park in Stamford. Stamford KIC IT Races raise awareness and much needed funds for Kids In Crisis’ free emergency shelter and 24-hour crisis counseling services, for Fairfield County children and families..
On June 23rd triathletes will compete in Olympic, Sprint or Relay races beginning at 7:00 AM. The popular kids triathlon will follow at 12:30 PM.
Fees vary by race, and relay teams as well as individual participants are encouraged to register. Athletes who register as fundraisers are eligible for free race entry, VIP parking on race day, prime bike racking spots, upgraded goody bags, a high-end ¼ zip pullover, and more.
Fundraising athletes can also win great prizes that in the past have included round-trip airline tickets on Jetblue, vacation getaways, and a brand new road or triathlon bike!
|
|
Because the Stamford KIC IT Race Series is such an important fundraiser for Kids In Crisis, the event will undergo an exciting transformation, and new races are being planned for 2020.
“After 12 years of successful triathlons we’re going out on a high note, and excited about changing things up for 2020,” said Kids In Crisis Executive Director Shari Shapiro.
Per Shapiro, this year’s race is expected to sell out due to the historic nature of the event, and registrations have been coming in strong.
Athletes, fundraisers, volunteers and sponsors are being sought. Please visit
www.kicitraces.org
, or call 203-622-6556 for more information.
Anyone interested in becoming a fundraising athlete, and/or raising funds to help support the critical programs at Kids In Crisis, please contact Natasha at
nhafez@kidsincrisis.org.
|
|
FIVE TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL
SUMMER PARENTING
|
|
1. Plan together.
Asking children to help you with even small decisions like, “Should we go to the market before lunch or after lunch?” helps empower them, and when they feel powerful, there’s less urge to misbehave.
2. Keep to a routine.
School may be out for the summer, but kids still thrive best when they know what to expect, so keeping wake-up, meal, and sleep times consistent will help regulate the day. It might even help to designate times of the day that they play outside or read quietly.
3. Get out!
Kids naturally have energy to burn, so make sure they get outdoors and stay active taking long walks, swimming, hiking, playing soccer, and exploring in nature.
|
|
4. Limit screen time.
Summertime may mean more hours to fill up in the day, but that doesn’t mean kids should spend more time staring at their devices. Encourage kids to look up and explore, discover new talents and hobbies, and enjoy physical activity.
5. You need fun too!
Don’t forget you’ve been looking forward to summer all year too. You definitely deserve some fun, so book a sitter and get together with friends or plan an outing with your spouse — it’s critical for your well-being, which results in better care for your child.
Happy Summer!
|
|
Kids In Crisis is grateful for first quarter 2019 funding from the following foundations,
corporations, and civic organizations:
|
|
Advertising Production
Resources
All Our Kin
Alliance Bernstein
AmazonSmile
Anonymous
Antares Capital
Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom
Barclays Investment Bank
Barteca Restaurants
Brugnatelli Contracting
Burns Tavern
CBRE
Citadel Investment Group
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
The Community Fund of Darien
Corbin Crusaders
David Hair Care and Color
Entwistle & Cappucci
Ethan Allen Retail
The First Bank of Greenwich
Foundation For Life
Fully Mayden
Gap
Garden Catering
Greentree Toyota Scion
Greenwich Braces
|
|
Greenwich Horseneck Club
Greenwich United Way
Greenwich Water Club
Guy Oseary Family Trust
Healthcor Foundation Trust
Henry E. Niles Foundation
IBM Employee Charitable
Contribution Campaign
Ivey, Barnum and O’Mara
Jefferies & Company
Kirkland & Ellis
The Lagomarsino Foundation
Marcum Foundation
MasterCard International
Matching Gift Program
Michael Lazarus, D.M.D.
Milrose Consultants
MOPS (Mothers of Pre Schoolers)
Morgan Stanley
The Navigators Group
Near & Far Aid Association
New Horizons Builders
Northern Trust Bank, NY
The Oaklawn Foundation
Panwy Foundation
Precision Gear
|
|
Reed Exhibitions
Ridgefield Thrift Shop
S&P Global
Savings Bank of Danbury
The Southfield Center for
Development
Splash Management Group
Splurge
Stamford Education Association
Stamford Ford
Stamford Hyundai
Strategies For Wealth
Swiss Re America
Synchrony Financial
TD Charitable Foundation
Third Point
Titan Advisors
Travelers
Trendsetters Salon
The Tudor Foundation, Inc.
Twilio
United Housewrecking Business
Viking Global Investors
The Wallace Fox Foundation
Whole Foods Market
Zurich James Joyce Foundation
|
|
Need help? Not sure? Call our 24-hour helpline at 203-661-1911
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
