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Kids in Crisis - Insight Issue 33
Insight Issue 33 - Winter 2006

Food Fight
Battling Nutritional Woes

By all accounts, childhood nutrition and obesity have moved to the forefront of America’s thinking. Since the 1970s, the number of overweight children has doubled; for boys and girls ages 6-11 it has more than tripled. At the same time, the numbers of Americans grappling with hunger is also setting records. It seems contradictory that hunger and obesity can exist at the same time, but those who cannot regularly afford food can still be overweight. In many cases, it comes down to nutrition – a lack of understandin upon sociological, psychological and economic factors.

Poor diet and nutrition are some of the major issues addressed by the TLC Health Center at Kids in Crisis, staffed full time by Nurse Practitioner Peg Lennon. She knows firsthand the many ways poor nutrition manifests itself in children, including diabetes, sleep apnea, tooth decay, anemia, delayed growth and poor performance in school. Diagnosing and addressing dietary issues is a key element of Peg’s evaluation of each child who comes to the Agency. “During a child’s initial physical exam, I review their intakes – fruits, vegetables, proteins and junk food. I don’t lecture, but rather discuss a ‘life in moderation’ philosophy,” says Peg. “We talk about the variety of foods they need in their diets; for those kids who really don’t have a good handle on what they are eating, we make a plan to meet weekly to review a personal food journal.

Sometimes they don’t see and understand their food choices clearly until they write it down.” Many teens skip breakfast because they don’t have the time or are trying to lose weight. “Here we try to explain that breakfast is a meal for energy, that lunch doesn’t have to be junk food in a crowded lunchroom – if time is limited, then yogurt, fruit, a granola bar and water goes with them in the morning.” The emphasis shifts more to meals and away from snacks in between meals.

Kids in Crisis practices what it preaches. Children staying at the Teen House and Crisis Nursery see that nutrition and diet are an important part of the care they receive. Sweets are limited to once a week (Fridays), soda is forbidden and juice is served only a breakfast. Second helpings at dinner are offered only after everything is eaten, including vegetables. Dessert and snack choices are limited to different types of fruit. “If healthy snacks are available, kids eat it – including cut up veggies, popcorn or yogurt,” Peg adds. Exercise options are also part of the Kids in Crisis diet. In addition to the on-site ball court, residents are able to use the facilities at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, as well as local public facilities including skating rinks
and parks, for regular exercise. In-house yoga and dance classes are also offered weekly. Many afternoons, Counselors will round up Teens for a simple 1/2-hour walk around the neighborhood. “We stress that exercise should be part of our everyday lives to keep us physically and mentally healthy,” says Peg.

In a recent New York Times op-ed piece, restauranteur Alice Waters said, “Children’s eating habits stay with them for the rest of their lives. The best way to defeat the obesity epidemic is to teach children about food – and thereby prevent them from ever becoming obese.” Overall, the diet and exercise program at Kids in Crisis serves up good nutritional information and example, hopefully leading to healthier lifestyle choices among our children.

Sweet Spot
Volunteer Brings Home the Baked Goods

Fridays mean the end of the school week, the work week and for the children staying at Kids in Crisis, it means a visit from “The Sweet Lady.” More commonly known around her hometown of Greenwich as Caroline Watson, “The Sweet Lady” is a dedicated volunteer who has matched her passion for baking with the needs (okay, wants) of Kids in Crisis residents.

For the past two years, Caroline has faithfully delivered delicious baked goods on Friday afternoons, the day teens and children are allowed sweets. “During a conversation with my friend Randy Kraft, who was working at Kids in Crisis, I was bemoaning the fact that having changed jobs from a large office to a very small office, I had lost the outlet for my baking,” Caroline says. “She told me about the kids getting sweets once a week and asked if I would be interested in bringing something in now and again. I’ve been doing it weekly ever since.”

She’s well known among all the residents and staff – even newcomers. “One of the kids opened the door for me once and, while he was being reminded of the rule not to open the door, I heard him say, ‘but I knew it was the Sweet Lady and I HAD to let HER in.” Caroline gets a great deal out of her experience here. “It makes me happy to know that it gives the kids some pleasure and the sense that someone cares about them. Something which is a small effort for me makes such an impact on them.”

School Days
Hoedown Goes Back to College

Stash your backpack for the weekend and hurry across the quad to make it to “Hoedown Homecoming: Kids in Crisis Goes Back to College,” one of the area’s best parties and biggest Kids in Crisis fundraisers of the year. The 14th annual Hoedown, expected to draw more than 600 area Agency supporters, will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2006 on the grounds of Tudor Investments Corporation in Greenwich.

Hoedown is always a fun evening – no ties or jackets, no ball gowns, just casual clothes and a great time. With the “Hoedown Homecoming: Kids in Crisis Goes Back to College” theme, event chairs Mary Jeffery and Kate Osman expect guests will sport everything from college sweatshirts to togas, from football uniforms to letter sweaters.

All of the proceeds of "Hoedown Homecoming: Kids in Crisis Goes Back to College" will be used to fund the in-house and community programs run by Kids in Crisis. Each year, the Hoedown party offers an exciting combination of silent and live auction items featuring unique trips, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and creative events hosted by some of the area’s leading sports figures. This year, auction items include a private home vacation in Cabo San Lucas, a ski week in Jackson Hole, the ultimate golf vacation in Scotland for four (including play at St. Andrews and Murifield) and the opportunity to be a bat boy for the Mets.

Under the direction of co-chairs Mary and Kate, more than 80 volunteers are working to put together a magnificent Hoedown event. In addition to an exciting auction, Hoedown Homecoming will feature a beautifully designed Giving Tree, which provides guests with the opportunity to fill basic shelter needs, such as formula, diapers, clothing and more, for children staying at Kids in Crisis. Additionally, Hoedown will feature an expansive, noteworthy wine table of classic and collectible wines.

If you are interested in going back in time to Hoedown Homecoming, please contact Cheryl Colucci at 203.327.KIDS.

The Best
Tribute of All

It’s always nice to be reminded of the impact Kids in Crisis has on the children served. A former resident of the Teen House recently called to tell us she named her new son after counselor Brian Foster, whose gentle spirit and caring has stayed with her long after her departure. Congratulations Brian…and Welcome Brian!

Into the Woods
Residents Learn About Nature
By Kristen Mulhearn, Counselor, Teen House

Lunches packed and layers on, six sleepy residents and three staff piled into the vans early in the morning of February 11, heading out for a day of adventure and team-building through an increased awareness of outdoor life. The two-hour drive to the East Hartland, Connecticut home of the Department of Children and Families Wilderness School was a combination of naps, movies, music and excitement.

When the vans pulled into the driveway of the Welcome Cottage, we received a warm greeting from Kim and Tom, our guides for the day. The team led us into a cabin where we discussed nature, hiking, tracking animals, and general safety for the upcoming hike. The group was outfitted in long underwear, fleece, Gore-Tex outerwear, big, black army boots and backpacks carrying necessities (lunch!). Shortly after the teens entered the woods, Tom asked for everyone to be silent and still for one minute. The silence surrounded us, broken only by the call of birds and wind blowing through the trees. Kim and Tom pointed out “signs” indicating the presence of animals throughout the area. A thin layer of snow on the ground allowed the residents to observe footprints made by deer, snow hares, squirrels and more.

As we walked further into the woods we found “scat” (droppings) from deer, moose and even coyote. Once lunchtime rolled around, we walked to a small island overlooking a large frozen lake where a couple with a dog was ice fishing. We had a great view of it while eating and recharging for the afternoon’s activities.

Kim and Tom were very knowledgeable, sharing a lot of interesting facts and information throughout the day. While the residents were very excited to find signs of animals, including moose, coyotes and beavers, the kids were most interested to come upon a tree where bear claw and teeth marks were imprinted upon the bark.

At day’s end, everyone changed back into their regular clothing and thanked Kim and Tom before heading out. As we climbed into the vans, the residents spoke about what we had seen and experienced on our adventure. A study in contrasts, the ride back to Cos Cob was filled with sleepy residents, now tired from day’s hike.

Is Your Child Safe on the Internet?
What Parents Need to Know
By Tracy Duva, MS
TeenTalk Counselor, East Ridge Middle School

The Internet offers our children opportunities; they can communicate with friends, research information for school, even teach them a new language. But what our children may not understand are the potential risks associated with the Internet.

Most adolescents are not developmentally mature enough to understand the risks of participating in certain Internet activities. Middle school and young high school students may not understand the intentions of certain strangers and the danger their associations with these strangers pose for themselves and for their families and friends.

Too often, private information, such as name, address or phone number, is shared with strangers via instant messaging, chat rooms, or through an online profile. MySpace.com, for example, may be a familiar site to your children. Here, they can post a profile of themselves, which allows them to communicate with others who belong to the website. Although a website like this allows children to meet new people and to communicate with their friends, it also becomes an enticing site for online predators. Predators may glean information about children from a chat room or from their profiles and try to communicate with them with the intent of doing harm.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Educate Yourself. Make sure you understand the Internet services your child uses and the websites he visits. Have your child share with you who he talks to on the Internet and what he has written in his online profile. Ask your child to teach you about anything unfamiliar to you. Learn about software protection options for your home computer, and purchase one to meet your needs. For example, one product may allow you to read e-mails and look at instant messaging archives, while another gives you protection against online predators.

Get Involved. It is not uncommon for children to have complete privacy when they are on the Internet. Many students have personal computers in their bedrooms. But the key to protecting your child is not to glance casually over at her while she’s on the computer. You must be involved with her use of the Internet. Spend time talking about safe and responsible Internet usage.

Communicate and Be Honest. Encourage your child to share with you his experiences, especially those that may scare or upset him. Communicate your expectations. Let him know that when he’s sending an instant message, he should be sure he knows who he’s talking to

and that he uses non-offensive language. Set guidelines for computer use by identifying websites that are off limits. Let your child know that if he gives you a reason to suspect that he’s behaving inappropriately, you will consider monitoring his online activity. If you are going to monitor e-mails, or instant messaging archives, make your child aware of your intentions. This action may be perceived by your child as a breach of trust so it is important to explain why you feel there is cause for you to do this.

Be Aware. Even with the measures you take to protect your child, a difficult or dangerous situation may develop. Your child may be at risk if:

You do not recognize phone numbers on your Caller ID and/or phone bill.
Your child receives gifts in the mail.
Your child spends hours (particularly at night) online.
Your child turns the computer/monitor off quickly when you walk into the room.
Your child’s demeanor changes profoundly.
Your child becomes withdrawn from family and friends

Keeping abreast of use of the Internet means you are staying connected in more ways than one.

Smile Pretty
Tooth Whitening Program Brings Smiles to Area Kids

Have you ever thought about having your teeth whitened? Is your teenager bugging you to get her teeth brightened? In addition to greater confidence in your smile, now there’s another important reason to make that teeth whitening appointment: Kids in Crisis benefits.

Dental Care of Stamford has announced they will again raise money for the Agency through the national fundraising program, “Smiles for Life.” Last year, Dental Care of Stamford raised more than $26,000 for the programs and services of Kids in Crisis, making it the country’s leading participating dental office. This is the second year Dental Care of Stamford has chosen Kids in Crisis as the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts.

From March 1 through June 30, 2006 anyone (non-patients, too) who visits Dental Care of Stamford for a state-of-the-art teeth whitening procedure will pay only $275, almost half off the regular price of $500. “Smiles for Life” then donates the funds to Kids in Crisis, as well as other national children’s health organizations such as St Jude’s Medical Center, March of Dimes and more. If you’re interested in helping Kids in Crisis and gaining a more beautiful smile, please call 324-6171 for an appointment.

2006 Conference to Keep Kids Safe
Tackling Stress

Can you guess what the biggest issue is facing teens and families today? It’s stress. Academic and social pressures and more are mounting, seemingly on a daily basis. Family time constraints, the quest for success, getting into college, the pressure to be sexually active – all are major concerns for teens. Adults and kids report they find it impossible to manage the stress; yet, at the same time, they say it’s difficult to step back from creating or contributing to those very same stresses.

The impact of today’s many pressures on kids and families will be the focus of discussion at the second Conference to Keep Kids Safe, to be held this October. During the day-long event, which will focus on the teen stress epidemic, more than 100 teens from area public and private, urban and suburban schools will gather to identify and discuss the pressures they face. With the help of business and community leaders, teams of students will develop solutions to minimize stress and, more importantly, devise practical, viable programs to tell those they love – parents, teachers, and friends – what they need to know to help them address today’s stress levels.

This year’s Conference will build upon the great success of the October 2004 meeting. Student participants and corporate sponsors raved about the ability to gather such a diverse group and develop creative, meaningful solutions to the biggest issues facing teens. Among the end results of the day’s work were the creation of a public service advertising campaign about parental involvement and a lanyard distributed through area schools advocating the choice to say no to drinking and driving. Attending the conference “helped me to understand more about topics affecting my community …I feel more able to help my community now,” said one attendee, a comment echoed by many polled after the Conference. “It also helped me realize that my voice counts,” said another.

If you are interested in learning more about the Conference, participation and sponsorship levels and other opportunities in the upcoming Conference, please contact Alon Marom at Kids in Crisis at 203-327-KIDS (5437).