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In addition to learning the resultsof the survey on stress in FairfieldCounty, Conference participantsheard about stress managementfrom expert Roni Cohen-Sandler,a clinical psychologist and authorknown nationally for her workwith adolescents and parent-child relationships. The teensalso heard from Kelly Flatley and Brandon Synnott, Co-Founders of Bear Naked, Inc., the fastest-growing cereal brand in the country. The Conference to Keep Kids Safe: Tackling Teen Stress was supported by many leading businesses and organizations throughout the area, including premier sponsors Bain Capital and GE Money. Additional sponsors of the event included: Heidmar, Lehman Brothers, GenRe, IBM, IMS Health Corporation, Starwood Capital Group, Synapse Group, Unilever and Webster Bank. The Conference was a big hit with the kids who attended. “Thanks to the time here, I have a lot more ways to deal with stress and ways to talk with my parents about dealing with stress,” reported one girl. Said another, “I valued our work sessions because I felt like I was not alone with the issues we ALL face.” One attendee wrote, “I valued the entire experience...the purpose behind it, meeting new people who are experiencing the same things I am and to see ADULTS who get it too!” From Volunteer to Staff You don’t have to go very far within the halls of Kids in Crisis to find stories of staff who have come to the agency in an interesting way. Perhaps some of the most interesting personal stories are those of staff members who began as volunteers, who took their passion and caring for children and turned it into their life’s profession. Insight spoke with three staff members – Reis Hansen, Amy Estrada and Gabriela Moreno – who began their work at Kids in Crisis when they were “kids” themselves. How did you first come to Kids in Crisis? GM: My first experience with Kids in Crisis was as a founding member of the Youth Corps in 1999. In 2002, I applied for a part-time position and continued through the remainder of high school and summers and breaks from college. AE: I was 14 when I found out about KIC through the Career Center at School. I completed an advanced child care program and began working four hours a week through a program called “Teens for Kids.” I enjoyed all I did and realized it was the field I wanted to pursue. I have been with Kids in Crisis ever since. GM: My experience with Kids in Crisis has undoubtedly influenced my career choices. I am starting law school at American University to pursue a legal career in fighting for children’s rights. Being at Kids in Crisis has led me to become aware of the grave necessity for people willing to be a voice for children. RH: I first came to Kids in Crisis as a volunteer after my freshman year in high school. After that summer, I had some involvement in the Youth Corps, but was more excited about the Teens for Kids program, which helped me to find part-time employment at the KIC Nursery throughout high school. After college, I came back to work at the Adolescent House (Reis is now senior counselor). I quickly made the connection between my passion for art and literature and my enthusiasm for working therapeutically with children and teens. I am going to be pursuing a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy or, more generally, Creative Therapies. What’s the biggest surprise about working here, rather than volunteering? RH: I think the biggest surprise is seeing all the work that goes into making the agency run smoothly. It’s a very welcoming place to work and I am proud to be part of the team that works hard to provide for the residents and the community. GM: The biggest surprise for me is the level of responsibility. As a staff member, the responsibility extends far beyond playing with the kids. Staff has to be able to discipline, and to be able to react more effectively and deeply with different behaviors and emotional issues. What do you hope will be your impact on the kids staying here? AE: I hope they are able to view a positive Latin role model. RH: I hope I am able to provide a safe, consistent environment for the residents to help them protect themselves and make good choices in the future. GM: I hope that even if they don’t remember me or even most of their experiences at Kids in Crisis, they will remember the feeling that somebody believed in them enough to listen and to be there.
Big winners in this year’s Kids Challenge Golf Tournament included NBC/Universal, winners of the corporate team category. Held on September 18 at Woodway Country Club, the 10th annual Kids Challenge event raised a record-setting $110,000, thanks to the hard work of event chair Denis LaPolice (second from right) and a hardworking committee, including (l to r) Jean-Paul Musicco, Tom Buesse, Harry Day, Mark Begor and Tom Shilen. Missing from the photo was Briggs Forelli.
Child neglect has reached epic proportions, reveal the findings from a new report published in the journal Pediatrics. Approximately 41 percent of young adults say their parents or other caregivers left them home alone at least once when an adult should have been with them. More than one-quarter (28%) reported physical assault (being slapped, hit or kicked by a parent or caregiver). The third most common type of maltreatment was physical neglect, defined as not meeting a child’s basic food and clothing needs. Tragically, of those polled, one in 25 (4.5%) young adults say they had been victims of contact sexual abuse by a parent or adult caregiver. The research, conducted at UNC/Chapel Hill, also illustrates the lifelong, devastating consequences of child abuse. Children who were left home alone, neglected or abused are more likely to smoke cigarettes or marijuana, drink alcohol, abuse inhalants and be depressed or violent as they grow older. “Although child neglect is the most common type of maltreatment, it receives much less attention than physical or sexual abuse,” said Dr. Jon Hussey, the survey author. “However, the associations between child neglect and adolescent health risks were largely comparable to those found for child abuse,” he noted. Hussey believes that “understanding how childhood experiences influence these behaviors will help prevention and treatment efforts.”
As cause-related marketing grows as a corporate initiative, becoming a way of tying together business objectives, employee interests and community needs, Kids in Crisis continues to partner on some of the most innovative, visible programs in the area. Proceeds from the following programs benefit Kids in Crisis, so shop, work out and dine...all to benefit the programs and services of Kids in Crisis. In late November, Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich, will kick off an exciting new holiday promotion to benefit Kids in Crisis. The store will offer a specially-created, beautifully packaged box of fine, hand-crafted chocolates by Schakolad Chocolate Factory in Stamford; 100% of the sales will go directly to Kids in Crisis. Additionally, a percentage of all retail sales at Saks from November 25-28 will be donated to Kids in Crisis, when the agency is mentioned by shoppers. This cause-related program will be celebrated on November 28, with a beautiful event entitled, “La Bella Notte.” This celebration, open to the public, will honor the food, wine and fashion of Italy and provide the first taste of the chocolates ($35 per box) on sale through December. “Kids in Crisis provides a tremendous resource for families in so many area communities,” noted Billie Messina, General Manager, Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich. “Working with the team at Kids in Crisis, we’ve been able to create a multi-faceted program that will both educate and inspire our customers to get to know and support the Agency.” As part of the kick-off to the Saks cause-related event, Polpo Restaurant in Greenwich will donate 10% of the proceeds of dinners purchased on Tuesday, November 28. Restaurant patrons need only mention “Kids in Crisis” to be part of this generous offering. Not far from the Saks store in Greenwich is the recently opened Pure Salon Aveda on Mason Street, a key component of Aveda’s fast-growing Retail Experience. In late summer, salon personnel visited Kids in Crisis to understand the programs and services provided to families throughout Fairfield County. Seizing on the link between the inspiring environment at the Salon and the nurturing environment at Kids in Crisis, Salon owners quickly earmarked proceeds from retail sales to benefit the Agency. From November 27-December 11, 30% of salon services, including blowdrys, stylings, manicures and pedicures – as well as 30% of selected Aveda candle sales -- will be donated to Kids in Crisis. “We were moved by the comfort Kids in Crisis offers its families and children and we immediately knew that there could be a direct link with Aveda’s product positioning of comfort and healing,” said Maryann Popovic. Pure Salon Aveda is already providing help to Kids in Crisis – they have offered free haircuts to all kids staying at the Teen House and Crisis Nursery. Restorative in a different sense, Yama Yoga Center in Stamford is giving practitioners a chance to feel good about themselves – and support Kids in Crisis. Yoga students who purchase a 3-month, 6-month or 1-year unlimited yoga package throughout November and December will have up to 30% of the proceeds dedicated to Kids in Crisis. Fairfield County’s newest yoga studio, on the Stamford/Greenwich line, Yama Yoga offers power vinyasa and “hot yoga” classes. Back for a ninth year is the highly successful Splash Car Wash chain, led by business executive Mark Curtis. Customers who purchase Splash gift cards this holiday season will have 5% of their gift card proceeds donated to Kids in Crisis. Since first teaming with Splash in 1998, Kids in Crisis has received more than $38,000 from this effort. “Having seen the great work Kids in Crisis does first hand, Splash is only too happy to help them provide this haven for families in need,” said Curtis.
Some of the newest – and most committed – volunteer groups helping out at Kids in Crisis are the employees of Norwalk-based Pepperidge Farm. Dozens of employees from ten different work divisions have made a monthly commitment to teaming with the children staying at Kids in Crisis. Over the past several months, the Baking, Bowling and More volunteers have done everything from baking with the kids to making dinner; from bowling nights to a trip to Go Vertical. Pepperidge Farm graciously donates both the time and the funds needed to make these great events happen for our kids. Kids in Crisis Community Services Manager Jamie Dorman reports that the volunteers are much beloved by the kids and staff at the Agency. Pepperidge Farm was also one of the big in-kind donors to the recent Conference to Keep Kids Safe; attendees enjoyed a wide array of snacks and baked goods throughout the day!
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