November 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
November 12, 2007

Family Service of the Piedmont Targets Homelessness

Family Service of the Piedmont, an Alliance member in Jamestown, N.C., has embarked on a new three-agency effort to assist homeless men and women with mental health issues find housing, access the services that they need to be successful, and become integrated into the community. A collaborative proposal by the three partner agencies—Family Service of the Piedmont, Greensboro Housing Coalition, and Open Door Ministries—won a competitive bidding process to receive more than $600,000 in grant money for the new Housing Support Team initiative. More.

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
November 5, 2007

Elon Opens High School

August marked the inaugural academic year for Elon School, a new independent high school operated by Alliance member Elon Homes for Children, Elon, N.C. The school, designed as a college preparatory school for grades 9-12, is headed by Raymond Broadhead. Elon School’s academic program is designed to provide students with a hands-on education. It is the first independent, secondary school in Alamance County, N.C. 43 students are currently enrolled at Elon School, but the program and infrastructure is capable of supporting as many as 280 students with minor modifications to the existing structures.

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Family Service Earns Reaccreditation

Alliance member Family Service of Central Indiana, recently received reaccreditation from the Council on Accreditation. Family Service, which provides counseling, support, and education to families in need, first received accreditation from COA in the late 1970s.

 

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October 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
October 29, 2007

Family Counseling Services Celebrates 90 Years

Alliance member Family Counseling Services of Greater Miami celebrated recently celebrated it’s 90th anniversary with a Family Reunion Dinner. The highlight of the evening was the premiere screening of an informational video about Family Counseling Services, which was made possible by a donation from the Health Foundation of South Florida. The video presents an overview of the organization and includes client and staff testimonials about how the agency has been instrumental in the path to healthy lives and relationships. Visit Family Counseling Services Web site to view the video or to see pictures from the event.

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Kids Hope United’s Star Foster Parent

For Trudy Petkovich, supporting foster parenting—as an advocate, event host, and mentor—is all in a day’s work. It’s what Trudy accomplishes by way of example, however, that makes her work with the Miami office of Kids Hope United, an Alliance member headquartered in Chicago, something far beyond the ordinary. Read her story here.

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
October 8, 2007

CEO Retires, successor named at Family and Children’s Service, Nashville

Louise Burgess has retired as president and CEO of Family and Children’s Service, an Alliance member in Nashville, Tenn. Burgess is succeeded by Raquel Hatter, who comes to Family and Children’s Service after serving as president and CEO at fellow Alliance member Whaley Children’s Center in Flint, Mich. Learn about Family and Children's Service here. Tricia Reinhard, chief development and finance officer at Whaley Children’s Center, will serve as interim president and CEO while the board of directors searches for a permanent successor. Learn about Whaley Children's Center here.

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
October 1, 2007

Nonprofit Job Fair

Last year more than 500 people attended the Greater Kansas City Nonprofit Job Fair, sponsored by Alliance member Cornerstones of Care. Attend the Council on Philanthropy and Cornerstones of Care 2nd Annual Job Fair on Saturday, Oct 13, 10 am to 2 pm. Some of the available positions include clinical therapists, cooks, drivers, maintenance and back office support.

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September 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
September 24, 2007

Holy Family Institute Transition

More than 300 people gathered together on Sept. 16 to honor Sister Linda Yankoski, president and CEO of Alliance member Holy Family Institute. After more than 30 years at Holy Family in various leadership roles, Yankoski will dedicate her ministry at the organization to a part-time role at Holy Family’s Emsworth campus as chief strategic officer for institutional advancement and chair the Holy Family Foundation Board of Trustees. In her new role, Yankoski will transition out of day-to-day management and focus on executive coaching and fundraising activities, leadership development, and building the endowment. More:

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
September 17, 2007

New York Giants Help Children's Aid and Family Services

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the New York Giants have launched a new charitable initiative, “Touchdowns for Families,” to support Alliance member Children’s Aid and Family Services. Learn more.

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Neighbor to Family Leader Named Purpose Prize Winner

Gordon Johnson, president and CEO of Alliance member Neighbor to Family, has been honored as a 2007 Purpose Prize winner of $100,000. Civic Ventures awards the Purpose Prize, the nation’s only large-scale award for those in the second half of life working on critical social issues. Learn more.

 

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
September 10, 2007

Family and Children’s Service Completes Strategic Plan

Family and Children’s Service, an Alliance member in Minneapolis, recently completed their strategic planning efforts. To publicize and summarize its new strategic plan, Family and Children’s Service developed a one-page flyer (view PDF here) that outlines the organization’s vision, strategic direction, core values, and principles while also defining the main goals of the 2007-2010 initiative.

 

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Jewish Family Services Boosts Bankrolls with Card Programs

Two years ago, Jewish Family Services (JFS), an Alliance member in Milwaukee, implemented a donor-benefit program designed to bring in new donors and encourage current friends to increase their level of giving. Since then, the program has succeeded in both regards, says Jerry Ryack, associate director of development at JFS. Learn more.

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
September 3, 2007

Children's Village Dog Training Program

NBC National News recently aired a feature story about the Assistance Dog Training Program run by Alliance member The Children's Village, a residential school for troubled boys in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Learn more.

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August 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
August 27, 2007

Family Resources Awarded $20,000 for Anti-Violence Campaign

Family Resources Inc., an Alliance member headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, received a $20,000 grant to lead the year-long “What Will it Take?” campaign designed to reduce violence against women in Rock Island County, Ill. The grant was awarded to Family Resource’s Quad Cities Rape/Sexual Assault program by the Chicago Foundation for Women. Family Resources is one of 34 agencies to receive the nearly $1 million in awards and one of only eight of those organizations located outside of the greater Chicago area.

“Our focus is on high school and college-age women with special attention to the frequently overlooked smaller and rural communities,” said Rod Ossowski, director of fund development at Family Resources.

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La Casa Completes Capital Campaign, Challenge Grant

La Casa de Esperanza Inc., an Alliance member in Waukesha, WI, successfully completed its $2.5 million Initiative 2010 Capital Campaign and secured a $300,000 challenge grant. In finishing the campaign by the end of June and raising more than $300,000 in the last six weeks, La Casa met the requirements of a Kresge Foundation challenge grant, which will bring $300,000 in out-of-state funding.

This is the third time the organization has successfully met a Kresge Foundation Challenge. The grant and challenge funds will be used to expand the organization’s capacity to provide educational and job training programs to meet the increased and changing needs of the agency’s home community.

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Grant Allows Hillside to Expand Work-Scholarship Program

Hillside Family of Agencies, an Alliance member in Rochester, N.Y., has been awarded a $4 million grant by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation. The grant will support the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program by helping implement a $30.9-million business plan that will more than double the program's scope.

Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection helps at-risk urban students stay in school and achieve academic success. Under the business plan, the number of students served each year in Rochester will increase from 1,200 to 2,400; operations in Syracuse, N.Y., will be expanded; and the program will establish a pilot program in a third city.

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July 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
July 23, 2007

Seedco Policy Center

Seedco, an Alliance member based in New York, is launching a policy center to present a practitioner’s perspective on complicated social and economic policies. Learn more.

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Member Holds Unique Fundraiser

The Alliance for Families and Children, an Alliance member in Lynchburg, Va., raised more than $40,000 in an unusual fundraiser: an adult spelling bee.

“It’s a unique, fun event that directly engages our business sponsors,” says Tracey Dixon, director of marketing. The original idea for the bee, which has now been held three consecutive years, was proposed by a member of the agency's board. For a $1,000 contribution, businesses sponsor a speller of their choosing. “It traditionally is a CEO or someone in upper management,” Dixon says, “although some participating organizations have called on the police chief or mayor.”

For more information about the Alliance for Families and Children or its spelling bee fundraiser, contact tracey@alliancecva.org.

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
July 16, 2007

Southmountain Director Donates Kidney

Lisa White needed a kidney transplant to stay alive, but she never expected her boss to sign up as a donor. Chris Jernigan, director of Alliance member agency Southmountain Children and Family Services in Nebo, N.C., said he had watched White, his friend and colleague of more than 11 years, grow sick and struggle to come into work. White has polycystic kidney disease—a potentially deadly, genetic disease that causes cysts to form on the kidneys. Learn more.

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Popular Minneapolis Member Publication

About one year after its publication, “Children in Change,” a curriculum guide created by Family & Children’s Service, an Alliance member in Minneapolis, has now found its way into the hands of hundreds of professionals who work with youth. More:

 

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
July 9, 2007

Anonymous Gift Jump Starts Capital Campaign

Good Will-Hinckley, an Alliance member located in Maine, recently received an anonymous gift totaling nearly $700,000. The unrestricted gift provides a boost to their finances as they prepare to kick off a major capital campaign through which they hope to raise more than $15 million. The agency hopes the capital campaign will help expand its financial assistance offerings so that all youth needing residential, educational, and counseling services can attend, regardless of their families' ability to pay. Most, if not all, of the initial $700,000 also will support this goal.

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Two Agencies Launch Effort to Reduce Poverty

The Parental Stress Center and Family Services of Western Pennsylvania, two Pennsylvania Alliance members, are partnering to fight poverty in the Pittsburgh area through the new Citizens Leadership Initiative. Learn more.

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Neighbor to Family Leader Nominated

Gordon Johnson, president of Alliance member organization Neighbor To Family in Daytona Beach, Fla., is one of 15 finalists for the Civic Ventures 2007 Purpose Prize. Johnson was nominated for creating new approaches to foster care that keeps siblings together and improves the quality of care and attention given to each child. More:

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June 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
June 18, 2007

Pressley Ridge Celebrates 175th Anniversary

Alliance member Pressley Ridge is celebrating 175 years of providing quality services to children and families. One of the nation’s oldest child service organizations, Pressley Ridge first opened its doors in 1832 as the Protestant Orphan Asylum on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Today, Pressley Ridge offers education, treatment foster care, residential treatment, and community-based services to more than 4,000 children and family members each year in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Texas, Washington, D.C., and internationally. Pressley Ridge’s directors hosted a 175th anniversary dinner to honor past and present members of the board of directors, foundation, and event boards, and their families. View photos and learn more here.

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
June 11, 2007

River Oak Center for Children Honored

Alliance member River Oak Center for Children has been selected to receive the Inspirations Community Service Provider Award from the Child Abuse Prevention Council.  More:

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Methodist Home for Children CEO Honored

Angele Parker, CEO of Alliance member Methodist Home for Children, has been named Administrator of the Year by the United Methodist Association in the Youth and Family Division.  More:

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MAY 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
May 28, 2007

Family Service Centers, Inc. Honored

Alliance member Family Service Centers, Inc. has been named 2007 Outstanding Nonprofit Business of the Year by the St. Petersburg, Fla., Chamber of Commerce. FSC was honored for their high-quality, caring service they provide to children and families in Pinellas County as well as the excellent business management practices that ensure the most effecient and effective level of performance for the organization. FSC president and CEO Mary Jo Monahan serves on the Alliance for Children and Families board of directors and chaired the Alliance national conference planning committee in 2006.

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Family & Children's Service Receives Rainbow Families Award

Alliance member Family & Children's Service was honored with the Rainbow Families Award. The award acknowledges and pays tribute to an organization that has contributed significantly to strengthening the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and advocating on their behalf. Family & Children’s Service has a long history of leadership and support for GLBT individuals, parents, and families.

Having operated for over 125 years, the agency is known on the local and national level for its cutting-edge programs aimed at the changing needs of society. When its Gay and Lesbian Counseling Program began in 1974, it was the first and only family service agency in the country to offer a designated and advertised GLBT program. In the late 1980s, FCS helped start the Gay Lesbian Community Action Council, now OutFront Minnesota, and acted as fiscal agent. A decade later, FCS published the Minnesota Family Strength Project Research Report, which was inclusive and affirming of GLBT families. In 2001, it launched the GLBT KIDS-Abuse Intervention Program. Rainbow Families works to build a safe, just, and affirming world for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parents and their children.

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Family Services of King County Homelessness Campaign

Approximately 800 children under age 6 are homeless in King County each night. But we don't see them. With their families, they are hidden in cars, sleeping on couches, and living in temporary shelters. Alliance member Family Services of King County has launched a campaign to build awareness of family homelessness. The campaign message, Don’t Just Look Away, encourages local citizens to get involved and help combat the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population. Watch a King County television station’s coverage of this Family Services campaign. Learn more about this campaign here.

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
May 14, 2007

KidsPeace Celebrates 125th Anniversary

Alliance member KidsPeace celebrated its 125th anniversary on May 16, 2007. In commemoration of this anniversary, KidsPeace is launching a year-long national examination on the state of the American child. They have also made a collection high-resolution photos from their earlier years available to the public. View these photos here. KidsPeace, one of the largest children’s crisis charities, was founded in 1882 by the president of Bethlehem Steel during a smallpox epidemic.

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
May 7, 2007

Baby Basics Highlighted in Local Newspaper

Alliance member Children’s Aid and Family Services, Inc., in Ridgewood, N.J., runs a popular Baby Basics program that helps working families make ends meet. Baby Basics provides nutritional and hygienic essentials for babies, along with parent education and a safety net system of emotional support and referrals for low-income working families. While the physical and emotional needs of these families are often neglected, the program supports success and helps build stronger, healthier families. Learn more about the Baby Basics program here. Read a recent article from the North Jersey Media Group about the Baby Basics program here.

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Seedco Names Peter Chapman to run Denver Programs

Peter Chapman, a key economic development advisor to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, will become executive director of the new Denver operation of Seedco Financial, a national Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), in June. Seedco Financial's parent company, Seedco, is an Alliance member. Seedco Financial began its Denver operations January 1, focusing initially on seven low-income neighborhoods. Seedco Financial is currently considering 10 to 15 proposals with a total value of about $50 million for potential investments.

Seedco Financial is a subsidiary of Alliance member Seedco, a national intermediary that creates opportunities for low-wage workers and their families. Seedco engages with community partners and anchor institutions to develop, operate, and learn from model programs of national significance that: 1) help people join the workforce and achieve economic self-sufficiency, 2) assist small businesses, and 3) promote asset building for residents and businesses in economically distressed communities.

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Alliance Member Elected to State Leadership Role

Paul Levine, associate executive president of Alliance member Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, was elected president of the New York State Coalition of Children’s Mental Health Services, one of the state’s most effective advocates for voluntary service providers of care and treatment of children with serious emotional problems and their families. He will serve a three-year term. Levine has been secretary to the coalition for three years. He also served as co-chair of the Coalition’s public policy committee responsible for translating the organization’s strategic plan into action steps and for building relationships with the governor, legislature, the State Office of Mental Health and the Office of Children and Family Services.

Levine will become Executive Vice President and CEO of JBFCS in October 2007.

 

APRIL 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
April 2, 2007

DePelchin Awarded $50,000 from College Bowl Game

Alliance member DePelchin Children's Center received a check for $50,000 from representatives of the Texas Bowl as the official charitable beneficiary of the college game.

The inaugural Texas Bowl, played on December 28 at Reliant Stadium, was deemed an overwhelming success. The game generated nearly $30 million in local revenue, according to the City of Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and drew a crowd of 52,210 fans, the largest college game crowd in Houston since 1972 when no Texas team was involved. Rutgers defeated Kansas State by a score of 37-10. Read more here.

"We look forward to a long engagement working with them in this," said Curt Mooney, president and CEO of DePelchin Children's Center. Both teams came out to visit with the children. It was a great day for our kids and made a huge difference."

Founded in 1892 by Kezia Payne DePelchin, the Children's Center is the largest and most comprehensive provider of children's social and mental health services in the Houston area. Learn more about DePelchin Children’s Center here.

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Cornerstones of Care Conducts Legislative Day

Cornerstones of Care hosted a Legislative Day Breakfast for elected officials April 4 at the Missouri Capitol. This year’s theme reflected both the day’s focus--“Working Together to Keep Kids Safe”--and April's designation as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The purpose of the event is to inform legislators of the services Cornerstones provides at-risk children and bring attention to the many issues impacting child protection service work.

Paul Gemeinhardt, president/CEO of Alliance member Cornerstones of Care, obtained this proclamation from Mike Sanders, Jackson County (Mo.) executive:

"As we observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Jackson County Executive’s Office will recognize the significant work Cornerstones of Care and its subsidiary agencies (Gillis, Healthy Families Counseling & Support, Marillac, Ozanam and Spofford) have done to increase the safety and security of our children. As County Executive, Mr. Sanders will renew the community’s commitment to protecting our most vulnerable citizens from harm. Cornerstones of Care offers care, guidance, and support for young people, parents, and caregivers."

In September 2006, the Children’s Defense Fund reported there were 256,046 children in Missouri living in poverty; 9,616 child victims of abuse/neglect in Missouri; and 11,900 children in the Missouri foster care system. In 2005, 78 Missouri children were victims of fatal child abuse and neglect.

Learn more about Cornerstones of Care here.

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MARCH 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
MARCH 19, 2007

FSA Awarded $300,000 from Robert Wood Johnson

Alliance member Family Service Association (FSA), Langhorne, Penn., is one of 15 agencies selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to participate in a new national program to reduce emotional and behavioral health problems among children in need, particularly those from low-income immigrant and refugee families. The program, Caring across Communities: Addressing Mental Health Needs of Diverse Children and Youth, will provide FSA $300,000 to support mental health programs and services at Franklin D. Roosevelt Middle School, in the Bristol Township School District, over the next three years. Learn more about FSA and RWJF.

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
MARCH 12, 2007

Multi-Cultural Competence Training Center

Alliance member Family Service Association’s Multi-Cultural Competence Training Center (MHCCC) has launched a new training initiative supporting a statewide professional development effort for the mental health community, and a related Web site. MHCCC, an initiative from the State of New Jersey, enables mental health agencies to gain education and training in the area of cultural competence. The Training Center Web site includes a resource library of material relating to managing diversity and assistance in the development of an agency "Cultural Competence Plan.”

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FEBRUARY 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
FEBRUARY 12, 2007

KidsPeace Welcomes Three New Board Members
Alliance member children's charity strengthens its national influence

Three new influential members join the board of directors of Alliance member KidsPeace. Read more.

 

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MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF
JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 2, 2007

Cornerstones of Care Awarded Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Grant

Alliance member Cornerstones of Care has been awarded a $63,000 grant from The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to support a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids adoption recruiter. “Wendy’s Wonderful Kids gives hope to Missouri’s children in foster care, who are just waiting for the right family to find them,” said Thom McNamara, Community Outreach Director of Cornerstones of Care. Learn more about the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption or Cornerstones of Care.

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JANUARY 2007

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 15, 2007

Alliance Member Maple Shade Youth & Family Services to Open New Therapeutic Home

MEMBER NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 1, 2007

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