January Edition 2010 - New York Nonprofit Press

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12 New York Nonprofi t Press www.nynp.biz January ‘10 For information on the ways in which Organizational Sponsorships support NYNP’s continuing coverage of the regional nonprofit community - and provide specific benefits for your own organization, please call us at 866.336.6967 AGENCY NEWS Camp Venture Receives NYS 2009 Environmental Excellence Award Camp Venture, Inc. has been honored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a 2009 Environmental Excellence Award winner. Camp Venture, which provides care and services for individuals with developmental disabilities, was recognized for its pioneering installation of solar power systems on two community residences and an adult day program. It was the only nonprofit among four organizations honored this year. “We are delighted with this designation which recognizes our commitment to operating in a manner that is both environmentally sustainable and cost effective. We are committed to continuing to find savings and reducing our impact on the environment” said Venture Chief Operating Officer George Hoehmann while receiving the award on behalf of the agency. According to the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities the Venture group homes are the first out of 5,995 statewide that utilize solar. “This ongoing commitment to innovation and renewable energy will help us reduce costs while also being responsible to our environment,” said Venture Executive Director Dan Lukens. “Our staff and consumers realize that we can all do more to help the environment and also save money. It is a win, win for everyone.” Hoehmann described the agency’s emerging commitment towards envi- Chief Operating Officer George Hoehmann (at right) accepted this year’s Environmental Excellence Award on behalf of Camp Venture from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Peter Grannis.(2nd from right) ronmental issues and its renewal energy initiatives for NYNP readers more than a year ago in An Environmental Epiphany, which won the 2008 Notre Dame Master of Nonprofit Administration Scholarship Essay Contest. HHS Official Visits CAS Program On December 7th, Carmen Nazario, the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, visited The Children’s Aid Society’s early childhood programs at P.S. 5, a public school in Washington Heights. Nazario visited this specific school to observe how Children’s Aid’s Early Head Start and Head Start programs for children and families are integrated into a Department of Education public school in New York City. Nazario is responsible for an array of federal programs including Head Start, child care and child welfare. The Children’s Aid Society partners with the NYC Department of Education in public schools called community schools. P.S. 5 is one of Children’s Aid’s 22 community schools in New York City. Children’s Aid provides a range of services for children and families, directly in the schools, making the school the centerpiece of the community.. CCI Announces New Name and “Champions for Children” The Center for Children’s Initiatives, Inc. (CCI) formerly known as Child Care, Inc. announced its new name at its 2009 “Champions for Children” honorees at its seventh annual awards event on November 2nd. CCI’s new name –was selected to better reflect the breath of services that the organization, now approaching its third decade as a leading force for NYC’s children and families, has grown to provide. The 2009 Champions included: • Lifetime Children’s Advocate Award: Sandy Socolar, Senior Policy Analyst, District Council 1707, AFSCME, who was honored for showing untiring commitment, strong advocacy and leadership towards making New York City’s early childhood programs the best in the nation. • Golden Heart Award: Nina Piros, Director of Early Childhood Programs, University Settlement, was praised for her strong leadership in building and expanding a strategy for early care and learning at this unique and highly successful settlement house. • Community Leadership Award: The Latino Coalition for Early Care and Education was celebrated for its dedication to increasing the availability and quality of culturally and linguistically appropriate child care and early education for Latino children. Carmen Nazario, Assistant Secretary for Children and Families at HHS, reads to children at CAS early childhood program at P.S.5 “Champions for Children” awardees Nina Piros, Sandy Socolar and Vanessa Ramos, who accepted on behalf of the Latino Coalition for Early Care and Education. Lori Stokes, Anchor, WABC Eyewitness News this Morning and Eyewitness New at Noon, served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Special remarks were given by Christine Quinn, City Council Speaker; Raglan George, Executive Director of DC 1707, AFSCME; and Nancy Kolben, CCI’s Executive Director. “The Champions for Children Awards recognize the significant contributions of people and organizations across New York who work tirelessly to provide for our society’s most significant resource, our children -- and do it with extraordinary results,” said Kolben.
January ‘10 New York Nonprofi t Press www.nynp.biz 13 “Day at the Games” Allows Triumph over Disabilities June Vestrich and Ruth Ann Dwyer of Patchogue were among over 100 individuals with disabilities who were winners simply by participating in this year’s “Day at the Games”, hosted by Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau (CGSHB). Vestrich and Dwyer are longtime residents of a community-based home for individuals with developmental disabilities operated by CGSHB at 166 Jennings Avenue. The annual “Day at the Games” brings together residents from CGSHB’s 30 homes for people with disabilities throughout the metropolitan area for fun and friendly competition. Events include a 100 meter race, wheelchair 100 meter races, basketball game and free throw contest, bowling, tug of war and a lemon carrying race. This year’s “Day at the Games” was held on November 14th at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in the Bronx. Father Dwyer, Pastor at Our Lady of the Assumption, is the brother of Ruth Ann Dwyer. “I am thankful for everyone who made this day possible--foremost the men and women who participated and once again demonstrated how special each of them is,” said John Frein, CGSHB’s Executive Director. “Everyone was a winner today”. “A Day at the Games is an opportunity for individuals to compete in athletic competition amongst their peers. The word disability never factors in,” said Timothy Carey, Assistant Executive Director at CGSHB. “The joy in an individual’s face when they win a race or hit a free throw is heartwarming. To see a young lady fist pump, run across the gym with the biggest smile you have ever seen when her name is announced over the loudspeaker and she receives her first place trophy – that is what this day is all about.” Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau has been providing vital services for children, families, the disabled and the disadvantaged since 1899. CG- SHB operates 30 residential programs for 179 individuals with developmental disabilities; a wide range of child welfare services, including foster care, child abuse prevention, and adoption services; shelters for homeless women with children; family day care for poor and low-income families; and maternity services to support pregnant women and their unborn children who are in need. AGENCY NEWS June Vestrich of Patchogue was a winner at this year’s “Day at the Games” for individuals with developmental disabilities hosted by Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau on November 14th. Photo Credit: James Baez Leake & Watts Opens Residence for Young Men with Disabilities Leake & Watts recently opened a new community residence for six young men with developmental disabilities. The new home, named Sevilla, debuted on November 17th and is the second such program opened by Leake & Watts in 2009. The growth spurt is part of an ongoing expansion of the agency’s Developmental Disabilities services. Seven additional residences like Sevilla are scheduled to open in the next 18 months. Renovation began on these in early December. “By providing an opportunity for these young men to live and participate in their community, we are excited to broaden the range and depth of services at Leake & Watts,” says Executive Director Alan Mucatel “We look forward to our seven new residences like Sevilla that will open in 2010.” Sevilla provides a spacious and comfortable home in Yonkers for six young adults who have been diagnosed with Mental Retardation. Some have come from residential school settings at other agencies; for them, Sevilla represents a more permanent home for their adult years. Others have been residing with Bobby Brown is one of six young men with developmental disabilities who will make Leake & Watts’ new Sevilla community residence their home. family and welcome this new opportunity for a more independent living situation. The house has been remodeled and renovated to better meet the needs of its new residents. It offers a homey and welcoming environment for the men. While everyone has their own bedroom and personal space, all residents sit down for family style dinner, help in the cooking preparations, and engage in nightly discussions around the dinner table. Abbott House Opens “Bridges to Health” Office in Bronx Abbott House opened its new Bridges to Health Family Services Office located at 665 Pelham Parkway in the Bronx Tuesday, November 17. District Manager John Fratta had the honor of cutting the ribbon and officially declaring the space open to assist the needs of area children and families. Jodi Saitowitz of NYC Children’s Services was on-hand as well, joining Abbott House President and CEO Claude B. Meyers, Abbott House Board of Directors Chairman James R. Painter and representatives from Abbott House programs throughout the Bronx and the Hudson Valley. Other notaries included Abbott House Board of Directors members Sheila Lahey, C. Edward Midgley, Mary Smith and Theodore A. Wilson, Abbott House Executive Vice President and COO Robert M. Costello, Abbott House Senior Vice President Dr. Luis A. Rodriguez, Abbott House Assistant Executive Director of Human Resources Myra Gray and Abbott House Bridges to Health Program Director Jacqueline Cherry.
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January Edition 2010 - New York Nonprofit Press

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