Winter 2013
INSIDE: Get Involved; J. Thompson Brown Awards; A Taste for Art of Southern Delaware; Leslie’s Letter...and more!
READesign at Warner Elementary Capital One in partnership with The Heart of America Foundation joined together to provide a newly designed library to Warner Elementary in Wilmington, Delaware, part of our Community Schools initiative.
W
arner Elementary School in Wilmington had a library that served its purpose, providing a place for learning and story time. However, the facility itself paled in comparison to the eager students who visited daily and to Mrs. Hopson, the school’s beloved librarian. Those who loved the library learned to look past peeling paint and worn carpet. As tricky as it might have been, the students found a way to reach books on shelves that towered over their heads, and they dangled happy little feet from adult-sized chairs. But the library’s book collection was in need of updates to stay current. Plus, it was time for an infusion of kid-friendly technology to keep hungry, young minds engaged. Warner Elementary, one of our community schools in the Red Clay District, was delighted when we connected them to Capital One, one of our funding partners. Capital One immediately brought in The Heart of America Foundation, an initiative that redesigns school libraries in need across the country. After a joint visit to Warner, they determined that the school would be a good fit for their READesign program given the library’s needs and the positive impact the project would have on students and members of the community. “Warner stands out because the library is not just the heart of the school, but also the heart of the community. When we met with the students and staff of Warner Elementary, we knew we were going to have the greatest impact on the most people by helping Warner,”
stated Leslie Kosek, Senior Manager of Community Affairs at Capital One. Once the decision was made to update the Warner library, Capital One and The Heart of America Foundation got right to work, partnering closely with CFF’s Warner Site Coordinator Mari Horsey, who helped manage day-to-day logistics at the site. The makeover was extensive. The READesign team painted the walls a more cheerful mix of greens, purples and oranges. They brought in recycled carpeting tiles from a Capital One location to freshen up the floor. New tables and chairs in colors to match the walls and in sizes to match the age of the students were brought in. The library was outfitted with a new reading area featuring beanbag-like poufs for the children to sit on for story time, a new flat-screen TV monitor, and a few dozen iPads loaded with educational apps. New bookshelves made it much easier for students to reach every shelf. Perhaps most exciting, those shelves were stocked with over 800 additional books. And it didn’t stop there. Each of Warner’s 596 students was given five books to take home as the start of their own personal library. (In addition to the READesign at Warner, Capital One made a generous donation of reference volumes and other books to Shortlidge Academy.) The best part of the READesign was seeing the student’s faces when they entered the Warner library for the first time after its makeover. Excited children participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony this October which featured remarks from Delaware’s First Lady, Carla Markell, U. S. Representative John Carney, as well as Capital One’s Head of Direct Banking Jim Kelly. The children had been told that a library make-over was coming, but they didn’t know what to expect. Some joyfully gasped and covered their mouths with excitement when they entered the room, while others stood quietly, wide-eyed, taking in the myriad of changes. Nina, a Warner student, summed up the feelings in the room, exclaiming in a quiet voice, “This library makes my heart shine!” LEFT: Delaware’s First Lady, Carla Markell, makes remarks at Warner Library’s ribbon cutting ceremony. RIGHT: Warner’s new library is revealed! For more photos visit cffde.org.
Save the Date...
A TASTE FOR ART March 8, 2014 | 6–10pm Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP in The Historic Wilmington Courthouse on Rodney Square
GETINVOLVED There are many ways
you can support Children & Families First: Donate to our annual
Friends Campaign, which directs your gift dollars to where they are needed most.
Consider making plans for a bequest!
Find out more at www.cffde.org Support the United Way
Designate a gift to C&FF through: • United Way of Delaware: #299 (partner agency) • United Way of Southeastern PA: #1466 • Combined Federal Campaign of DE: #50028 • State Employee Charitable Campaign: #50300
Donate critically needed items such as: Diapers | Baby formula | New baby clothes New toys | New/gently used children’s bicycles New elementary school uniforms (sizes 5-14) for the Community Schools project
Shirts (polo or button down, in white, navy, or light blue) Pants/shorts/skirts/jumpers (in navy blue, khaki) Sweaters (crewneck, v-neck, or cardigan, in navy blue) A unique creative arts and culinary experience! Savor signature dishes showcased by local student chefs. Mingle among the works of area artisans. Relax among friends. Shop 'til you drop. It’ll be the place to be for a perfect evening!
Photos by Andrew Conrad Hensler
Give the gift of
time!
Become a Children & Families First volunteer! Our team of volunteers is made up of people like you, who give the gift of time to help us help Delawareans in need. Opportunities change frequently, so please contact our volunteer coordinator, Kathie Stamm, at (302) 777-9762 or Kathie.stamm@cffde.org
It’s not just our name,
it’s our promise
Healthy Babies | Early Childhood | Supporting Teens | Positive Parenting Family Resources | The Workplace | Older Adults
www.cffde.org | (800) 220-3092 Children & Families First strengthens Delaware families by delivering an innovative and effective continuum of community-based social services. In existence for more than 125 years, CFF builds the foundation for strong communities with child-centered and family-focused programs.
THANK YOU to everyone who
celebrated as we honored Lt. Governor Matt Denn with the J. Thompson Brown Award and the Delaware Youth Advisory Council with the Muriel E. Gilman Advocacy Award. It was a great night of recognition for those who work hard to protect Delaware’s children and families. Thank you to Matt and the Delaware Youth Advisory Council for their wonderful work!
Clockwise from left: Bahu Gilliam and Shirley Roberts of the Delaware Division of Family Services came out to support the Delaware Youth Advisory Council; Lt. Governor Matt Denn and Children & Families First CEO, Leslie Newman; The Muriel E. Gilman Award –Photos by Elisa Komins Morris
In this season of celebrations, when you gather together to enjoy the warmth of family and friends, please remember that right here, in our community, there are many children who don’t have the safety and comfort of a family.
Your support helps us take care of them, and other children and families in need. Please make “giving” part of your celebrations this year.
A Taste for Art dearfriends, of Southern Delaware
A Taste for Art of Southern Delaware at the gorgeous Baywood Greens was a huge success! Many thanks to the artists, restaurants and patrons who made this event possible. We had a blast!
T
here is much discussion about collaboration and how there should be more of it in the not-for-profit world. Collaboration is complicated and hard but has great potential for avoiding redundancy and offering richer, more effective services to our clients. Collaboration is very much the way that Children & Families First approaches our Community Schools work. As you’ve seen in this issue, students at Warner Elementary School and Shortlidge Academy in the Red Clay District will be reaping the benefits of collaboration for years to come thanks to our partner, Capital One and their relationship with The Heart of America Foundation. It’s just one example of the wonderful things that can happen when resources and expertise are shared. Our Eastside Community Schools, which include Bancroft, Stubbs and Elbert-Palmer Elementary Schools, benefit from our work with a variety of equally committed partners. For instance, the Henrietta Johnson Medical Center has opened a federally qualified health center in the Christina School District office. Client experiences are also enriched by businesses such as JPMorgan Chase and Young Conaway Stargatt and Taylor who mentor students through our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Cultural organizations including the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, the Delaware Theatre Company and the Christina Cultural Arts Center provide residencies for students in all three schools. Additionally, organizations such as Connections, the Food Bank of Delaware, the Delaware Center for Economic Education & Entrepreneurship and Delaware Technical and Community College have partnered to strengthen employment skills for community members and to provide families with basic needs. As we grow our Community Schools initiatives in Seaford, we have already established partnerships with the Sussex County Health Promotion Coalition and the Rehoboth Art League. Each organization brings its own respected expertise and resources to strengthen our significant work. Each of us has a role. Children & Families First is in its 130th year of providing services in Delaware. Collaboration brings proven methods to our work. Collaboration opens pathways that allow us to reach each member of a family experiencing difficulties. We appreciate the support of our generous community. Whether through volunteerism, donation of goods or delivery of complementary program resources, collaboration will continue to be one of our greatest assets as we help youth facing adversity on their journey to adulthood. I thank you for your continued support of our important, yet challenging work. Best wishes for good holidays,
Delicious food, beautiful art and wonderful people got together for a great cause at A Taste for Art of Southern Delaware 2013!
Leslie Newman CEO
NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE
PAID WILMINGTON, DE PERMIT NO. 1263
2005 Baynard Boulevard Wilmington, DE 19802 New Castle County (302) 658-5177 Kent County (302) 674-8384 Sussex County (302) 856-2388 www.cffde.org
OFFICERS
Jennifer B. Jonach, Chair Katy Connolly, Vice Chair Barbara S. Ridgely, Ed. D., Secretary Peter A. Hazen, Treasurer Paul L. McCommons, Assistant Treasurer
BOARD
Sandra H. Autman Jessica C. Bain Sherry Brilliant Don C. Brown P. Clarkson Collins, Jr., Esq. Thomas P. Collins, Esq. Sally DeWees Gayle Dillman José F. Echeverri Veronica O. Faust, Esq. George W. Forbes III Gary M. Golden Patricia Walther Griffin, Esq.
N. Christopher Griffiths, Esq. Pamela E. Harper Betsy A. Holden Nancy Karibjanian James G. Klabe, Jr. Ellen K. Levin Anthony J. Lewis Casey E. McCabe Shauna B. McIntosh, M.D. James H. McMackin, III, Esq. Wilma Mishoe, Ed.D. Heather A. O’Connell Kim Zeitler Robbins John F. Schmutz, Esq. Gina S. Schoenberg, Esq. Janice Rowe Tigani, Esq. Lee A. Wheeler
ADVISORY BOARD
Angela B. Case Mary Jo Chandler
Karen D. Doherty Megan T. Goeller Ted Kaufman Pauline D. Koch Hon. Jane P. Maroney Robert R. Meade Stephen M. Mockbee Elizabeth T.B. Pierson Gilbert S. Scarborough III Joanne K. Sundheim, Esq. K. Jean Williams
HONORARY BOARD Carol Harlan Aastad Max S. Bell, Jr., Esq. Joan McD. Connolly Dr. Lozelle J. DeLuz Glenn M. Engelmann, Esq. Katherine L. Esterly, M.D. Gloria S. Fine Carol A. Gausz
Larry D. Gehrke James H. Gilliam, Sr. Edward W. Goate, Ph.D. Susan A. Herrmann Hon. Mary M. Johnston John W. Land Stephen R. Permut, M.D. June Jenkins Peterson David B. Ripsom, Esq. Barbara F. Soulier
CEO
Leslie Newman
OURMISSION
OURVISION
CORESERVICES
Children & Families First helps families develop solutions to meet challenges and embrace opportunities.
Communities where children are nurtured and safe, individuals are valued, and families are strong.
Healthy Babies | Early Childhood Positive Parenting | Supporting Teens Family Resources | Workplace Older Adults
It’s not just our name, it’s our promise
Children & Families First strengthens Delaware families by delivering an innovative and effective continuum of community-based social services. In existence for more than 125 years, CFF builds the foundation for strong communities with child-centered and family-focused programs.