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Free, round-the-clock help for children, teens and parents
Since its founding in 1978, Kids in Crisis has helped more than 80,000 Connecticut children and families; in
2007 more than 8,100 children and families received assistance from the organization.
Based in Cos Cob, Kids in Crisis provides services to children of all socio- economic conditions in
Fairfield County, including those in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford,
Weston, Westport and Wilton.
For community programs call 203-622-6556
For Help call
203-327-KIDS
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Kids in Crisis - Newsletter Issue 28
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Summer Shelter
Summer comes like a sudden rain to the children at Kids in Crisis, and unlike their friends and schoolmates, they will not go to soccer camp, nor to Nantucket, not even a visit to their grandparents. Here, their school days morph into summer camp days, filled with recreational activities that enlighten and enliven their day and engender a good night's sleep.
Last summer the program took on a new dimension - a focus on experiential activities where kids learn new life skills as they play. The program includes working on ropes courses, hiking and rock climbing, as well as our own summer garden. In this way, children in residence who are stuggling with their lives have the opportunity to gain confidence, experience the meaning of teamwork, and learn valuable insights into their own character and well-being. Our counselors are on-hand and our on-site nurse practitioner is available daily to ensure proper nutrition and safety.
The program is based at Pemberwick Park in Greenwich, compliments of the town of Greenwich. Children have access to a sports playing field, a playground, an indoor recreation center, and the garden. The summer actually begins in the spring when residents prepare and plant a vegetable and flower garden, which they tend throughout the season and then harvest. Every day offers a different special activity like visits to the beach and local parks, sporting activities, camping trips and outings to local places of interest such as the Stamford Nature Center, The Beardsley Zoo, Soundwaters, the Norwalk Maritime Center, swimming at the Boys and Girls Club and Byram pools, as well as reading time and group games.
The success of the Summer Recreation Program is in the faces of the children every day. They smile. They eat and sleep well. The tend their plantings and reap the rewards of hard work. They learn to swim. They improve their reading and thinking skills. They enjoy the rigors of gardening or the joy of kick-ball at the park. They cherish their friendships and their accomplishments. And they continue to receive whatever therapeutic services they need to heal from their traumatic experiences. The balance of recreation, education and therapeutic support makes the Kids in Crisis summer camp a summer that these children will never forget.
Thanks to the Inner City Foundation and the Lily Palmer Fry Foundation for grants to support summer recreation. And to Hoedown guests who played Heads or Tails to help cover the costs of the camp, thank you.
Back to 1978: Hoedown Goes Disco
Commemorating 25 Years of Service
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| Event co-chairs Tracy Grossman and Alison Stone with Executive Director Shari Shapiro |
Saturday May 8th, under great gorgeous tents pitched on the property of Tudor Investment Corporation on King Street, 560 friends of Kids in Crisis discoed the night away to help raise funds to protect children. Under the auspices of Co-Chairs Tracy Grossman and Alison Stone, the feel of the seventies was thoughtfully recreated by Big Wave International, replete with giant video screens, diamond disco balls and deviled eggs.
Bell bottoms, platform shoes and glittery attire lit up the scene, with more than one John Travolta and Elton John in attendance. Hoedown is always a wonderfully casual event - no ties or jackets, no ball gowns, just fun clothes and a fun time. When the music ends and the tents come down, what remains is the bottom line - our most important fundraising event of the year. We cannot do all we do for kids without the generosity of the community.
A cocktail reception, featuring the Disco-tini, was followed by a guest appearance by the newly formed Kids4Kids Choir, conducted by Geoffrey Silver, a Cambridge University music scholar. The children delighted the crowd with their song of welcome. A Heads & Tails game raised funds needed to meet our budget for the Kids in Crisis Summer Camp. Special thanks to Tiffany & Co. for donating the gorgeous his-and-hers watches won by the winner.
Our auctions were spectacular this year, thanks to the hard work and constant good cheer of Rachel Khanna and Terri Kim, and Pamela Chapman who kept everything on track. Patrons shopped happily at our famous wine table, the grab bag, great getaways, and this year a fantastic House Tour planned for October in Greenwich. Our Giving Tree sold out making it possible to support special activities and needs of kids in shelter. and Elton John in attendance. Hoedown is always a wonderfully casual event - no ties or jackets, no ball gowns, just fun clothes and a fun time. When the music ends and the tents come down, what remains is the bottom line - our most important fundraising event of the year. We cannot do all we do for kids without the generosity of the community.
Ambassador Charles Grodin!!!
Commentator, writer, actor and Fairfield County father, Charles Grodin, has graciously agreed to act as our spokesman this year and as honorary chair of our events. Grodin, who is perhaps best recognized these days as the father in the Beethoven movies has over forty films to his credit, including Midnight Run, Heaven Can Wait and The Heartbreak Kid. He has authored several books, hosted his own TV talk show for five years and served as a commentator on Sixty Minutes Two. He is currently a commentator with CBS News Radio. We welcome him as our community ambassador - the more people know about Kids in Crisis the more we can keep kids safe. Welcome Charles!
WE WISH TO THANK...
all of our donors who made special gifts this year in honor of our 25 years of service. Donations from $25 to $25,000 helped us to continue the many one-of-a-kind services that make Kids in Crisis so important to Southwestern Connecticut families. Many children might have nowhere to turn were it not for our 24-Hour Helpline and comprehensive crisis care. As we charge no fees and have no wealthy alum, we rely on the kindness and generosity of people in the community who care about kids.
We thank each and every donor who increased their gifts in honor of our anniversary. We simply cannot do what we do without you. A special thanks to these 25th anniversary angels who made a gift of $25,000.
- Bresnan Family Foundation
- Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Cunningham
- Mr. Kenneth M. deRegt
- Walter S. and Lucienne B. Driskill
- Phyllis and Dan Finn
- Kathy and Richard S. Fuld, Jr.
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- James and Chantal Sheridan Foundation
- Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Mandel, Jr.
- Mick, Gabi and Erin
- Mr. and Mrs. Brian Miller
- Mr. and Mirs. Michael Rome
- Mr. and Mrs. Scott M. Smith
- Mrs. James P. (Joan Melber) Warburg
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One Child at a Time
Timmy, nine months old, and his brother Dan, age seven, were removed from their home in Stamford when it was discovered that their mom was frequently leaving them alone. Police reported that they were living with an inadequate food supply, poor supervision, and risk of injury. At Kids in Crisis they received a complete medical evaluation at our Health Center. There was no indication that either child had ever been to the doctor, so the nurse gave them the necessary inoculations. Mom and children were about to be evicted from their apartment because of deplorable conditions and DCF is working with the family to secure a good home. Until then, at Kids in Crisis they are safe and sound.
For Help call 203-327-KIDS
The Gift of Time
We recently hosted a reception to say thank you to the more than one-hundred volunteers that help Kids in Crisis fulfill our mission. Volunteers help with homework, read to the children, play with them, provide additional support. At the reception, with a buffet prepared by members of the agency's management team, one long-standing volunteer, Rich Greenebaum, was cited for his longevity and commitment to the children. Rich is here every week, he comes to every event, and he calls now and then just to ask, "Is there anything you need?" We thank Rich, and all of our wonderful volunteers, for their precious gifts of time. We cannot do all we do without you. For more about volunteering, contact Jamie Dorman, jdorman@kidsincrisis.org
In Loving Memory
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Mary Barnett |
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Dorothy Katz |
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Chester Broccoli |
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Carolyn Bessette Kennedy |
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Ernest H. (Tony) Brown |
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Fred Kiachif |
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William DeWitt Romig |
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Jeanne McDonough |
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Michael Jon Greenberg |
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Jean Messina |
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Inge Henriksson |
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Kathy Hagan |
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Ellen Hoffman |
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Agatha Qualey |
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Meyer Jacobson |
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Adam Walker Barnett |
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Daniel R. Williamson |
We are Grateful to Those who Think of Kids in Crisis in their Time of Sorrow
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