center insider - The Center for Family Support

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CENTER INSIDER WINTER 2010 We Care...We Listen...We Help...

Letter from CFS Executive Director, Steven Vernikoff As many of you may know, both the states of New York and New Jersey are undergoing severe budget cuts. The impact this has on us remains uncertain, but what is certain is that CFS will be affected in some way. Now more than ever we need to rely on our friends to assist us. We are appreciative for any help during these difficult times. Our families rely on the Family Support Services we provide them with on a daily basis. Today, these services are in critical demand. The economy has created additional stress on many families. The stress is even greater for a family when one of its members has a developmental disability. In hard times they need services even more. Previous State budget cuts have already resulted in the need for increased assistance to those who depend on us. Unfortunately, they will need even more in the future with less resources available to meet this need. We remain grateful for the support and assistance of those who believe in the work we do. WESTY SELF STORAGE COORDINATES HOLIDAY GIFT DONATION DRIVE FOR CFS The Center for Family Support was the proud recipient of a charity drive coordinated by Westy Self Storage. Both our New York and New Jersey offices received holiday gifts for the individuals we serve to be distributed at our holiday parties. In addition to Westy’s serving as a collection site for the gifts (donated by individuals and businesses throughout the New York and New Jersey communities) Westy’s organized the drive from November 17 through December 15 of 2010. CFS was delighted to receive gifts such as toiletries, books, DVDs, hats, scarves, and other items to present at our holiday parties. Lorraine Browne, Director of Development at CFS stated “We are thankful for Westy’s dedication to helping others.” From all of us at CFS, Thank you Westy’s!!!!

Inside this issue: LIBERTY APARTMENTS

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OPEN

RUTH MULLEN RETIRES

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NEW JERSEY & NEW YORK HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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NEW RESIDENTIAL DIRECTOR

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HOW YOU CAN HELP

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SAVE THE DATE

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LIBERTY AVENUE APARTMENT OPENINGS On January 14, 2011 we opened five studio apartments at Fountain and Liberty Avenue in Brooklyn, NY for five men who previously resided in group homes. In addition, we have provided 2 other apartments for an individual and a mom and her children who receive our services. The apartments are located in a three story building and each individual has his own apartment. The apartments are modern, energy efficient, close to shopping and public transportation. They are equipped with full kitchens and baths with plenty of closet space. CFS maintains an office in the building and we have a staff member present 24 hours per day. In addition, there is a recreational facility housed in the building as well as a full laundry room, and a separate kitchen which can hold up to 50 people for private parties and gatherings. There is ample parking and security surveillance 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. A marvelous superintendent is on site to provide maintenance and each individual has his own mailbox. The men living at the apartments are truly enjoying their increased independence and take pride in maintaining their apartments, cooking and cleaning.

Ruth Mullen Retires

Ruth Mullen, Director of New York Residential Services, retired after 13 years of dedicated service on February 18, 2011. More than sixty guests attended a send-off party honoring Ruth held at the Graycliff Manor in Moonachie, NJ. Along with several speeches giving tribute to Ruth by Steven Vernikoff, Executive Director; Barbara Greenwald, Associate Executive Director; Assistant Directors and Managers, there were special guests of Ruth’s: her two nieces Joyce and Sara attended and added their own special reflections on having Ruth as an Aunt, stating she was an extraordinary role model for each of them and they have always wanted to be like her. Thanks to today’s wonderful technology, Ruth’s mom was skyped in to join the celebration. Gigi Pettway, Assistant Manager of our 163rd Street group home, stated her professional successes were all due to Ruth, “I went from cook to direct care staff to Assistant Manager, owing it all to Ruth.” A “This is Your Life, Ruth” slide show was presented and Eileen Berg, Director of Quality Assurance created a scrapbook of memorabilia for Ruth. Ruth received many gifts from staff including an inscribed clock and a journal. Guests, including representatives from the NYS Office of Persons With Developmental Disabilities, CFS vendors and others, enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner and music by a jazz pianist. Ruth’s nieces made sure she danced the night away! After taking a short break, Ruth plans on returning to her former career as a teacher tutoring youth. Good luck Ruth, you will surely be missed!!!

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HAPPENINGS!! New Jersey Holiday Party Our NJ Holiday party was held on December 6th at the Graycliff Manor in Moonachie NJ. More than 250 people attended which included individuals from both our NJ residential and day programs, their family members, supervisors, and CFS staff. A buffet dinner was enjoyed by all that started with an appetizer station and ended with a delicious dessert. We had an excellent DJ who provided music and had everyone up on the floor dancing for four hours. Everyone had a great time and it was wonderful seeing our individuals socializing with their peers as well as their family members and staff. Gifts were provided to all along with raffle items.

New York Holiday Party Once again our Day Hab Without Walls Program celebrated its Annual Holiday Party. Day Hab participants look forward to this party the entire year. This party represents not only a celebration of the Holidays but an appreciation of a year of achievements. The party was held at the Hudson Guild Center located at 441 West 26th Street in Manhattan. This year the party had a different twist which was brought by belly dancers from the Belly Dancing Academic directed by one of our participants’ parents. Guests were thrilled to see the dancers performing in their colorful outfits. The performers encouraged our guests to dance by showing them simple steps to this graceful dance. The belly dancers were a huge success. The food was scrumptious and the delicious dessert was a Guava cake which had a unique frosting decoration. As usual, guests not only received their holiday gift, but some of them received prizes for winning dance contests and educational games.

Visit us at www.cfsny.org 3

IN THE SPOTLIGHT STANLEY’S NEW HOME Stanley, who receives services from CFS and was previously living in a group home, is one of the residents living at the newly built apartments at Fountain and Liberty Avenue. Stanley has been living in his studio apartment since they opened in January and states “I really, really like my apartment. It gives me freedom.” Stanley likes the neighborhood and finds it easy to go to his program activities and is currently waiting to hear about an upcoming job opportunity. He enjoys keeping his apartment immaculate, loves the closet space, and his modern kitchen and overall beautiful apartment.

MARC THE MUSICIAN Marc, who participates in our Community Services Program, is a fiercely independent man, who not only has a college degree but also is a praised trumpet player. Marc has been extremely open to receiving assistance in reaching his goals and is now attending a program featuring social skills and job skills training. Program staff enjoy Marc’s company immensely and while attending he often plays his trumpet for the other program participants. He is even receiving assistance from staff to help develop his trumpet career! Currently, Marc is going to school to earn certificates in medical billing and pharmaceutical technology and he is currently living independently in an apartment. Way to go, Marc!

AMOAKO THE ARTIST Amoako is a phenomenal artist who draws with distinct precision. He is a participant in the CFS Home Care Program with a unique staff member who helps enhance his skills. Staff was matched with Amoako who share his interests. With staff encouragement, organization and communication skills, Amoako has gained more confidence in himself and his drawing. Just recently his artwork was featured in the NY Daily News! Soon, one of his paintings is being displayed in the Metropolitan Musuem of Art! Congratulations Amoako!

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Omayra Jean Promoted to Director of New York Residential Services Omayra Jean, CFS employee of 12 years, has been promoted to Director of NY Residential Services. Omayra started her career with CFS in 1999 as Assistant Director and was promoted to Associate Director in 2003. Since 2007 she has been providing consulting services and has just taken on the position as Residential Director, focusing on staff and consumer satisfaction. Omayra stated “I am excited about the opportunity to continue providing excellent service to the individuals and families we serve.” Omayra also enjoys providing community service including volunteering at Fred’s Pantry, a food pantry in Peekskill NY and serves on the board of Books for Kids, an organization serving preschool children. We wish Omayra the best of luck in her new position with CFS.

YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE WISH LIST Your gift of $75 provides quarterly art supplies for five individuals attending our day habilitation program Your gift of $150 purchases birthday gift certificates to popular restaurants or stores for ten of our group home residents Your gift of $750 sends a group of twenty-five individuals to an annual theater show, trip to a museum or a sporting event Your gift of $1,500 allows us to update and renovate one of our many residential settings Your gift of $2,500 hosts a weekend outing for five families in need of respite care Enclosed is my gift of: ___________ Name _________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________ City, State, Zip _______________________ Charge my credit card: American Express ___ Visa___ Mastercard ___ Card # ____________________________ Exp. (Month/Year) _____

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Enclosed for your convenience is a pre-paid postage envelope CONTACT US: The Center for Family Support 333 Seventh Avenue, 9th Floor New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212.629.7939 Fax: 212.239.2211/12

NEWSLETTER DESIGN: Development Office

CONTRIBUTORS: Lorraine Browne Nadine Daley Donna Messina Erica Robinson Linda Schellenberg Steven Vernikoff

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GOODSEARCH/GOODSHOP What if The Center for Family Support earned much needed funds every time you searched the Internet? Or, if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, it can!!! GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half of its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You can use it just as you would any other search engine. Get quality search results from Yahoo, and the donations add up! GoodShop.com is an online shopping mall which donates up to 30% of each purchase to our cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, Ebay, Macy’s, Barnes & Noble, and many, many others, have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an online order, you will be supporting CFS. Please consider downloading GoodSearch – Center for Family Support toolbar. Our cause will earn money every time you shop and search online – even if you forget to go to GoodShop or GoodSearch first! Please add The Center for Family Support toolbar at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/center-for-family-support-cfs for instant online searching.

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