Healthy Living Through Self-Care
Posted: April 18, 2013 Filed under: Social Service Story Leave a comment »Last month, I led a Self-Care Training for our partners at Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI). The training was aimed at teaching counselors and case managers why self-care is important, how to engage with their clients around self-care and how to use these techniques to take better care of themselves.
Alicia bowling with Family Center youth. Recreational activities are a good way to reduce stress.
Self-care is when we meet our own needs in an effort to engage in over-all healthy and positive living. When we engage in self-care we are being mindful of how we take care of ourselves and make ourselves feel good. Lack of self-care can cause stress and feelings of being over-whelmed, tired, or sick. Self-care skills help us deal with everyday life situations and stresses. For example, self-care skills can help us:
- Handle getting our kids up and out of the house in time for school;
- Take care of ourselves when there does not seem to be enough time in the day; and
- Manage medical, physical, and emotional needs.
At The Family Center, we meet many clients who don’t take care of themselves well when they first enroll in our services. As a counselor, I have seen that when I successfully engage clients in developing self-care awareness and their family skills, they go on to lead healthier, happier lives. When I work with a client about self-care our focus is on:
- Understanding what makes them feel cared for;
- Meeting their needs;
- Balancing their needs with the needs of the family;
- Enhancing personal relationships;
- Managing their health; and
- Investing in themselves and making themselves a priority.
We at The Family Center work hard to promote healthy living and self-care. If you are interested in keeping our New York families stronger, longer, please click here to see how you can help.
-Alicia Spengler, L.M.H.C
A Day in the Life of the Fight Against Diabetes
Posted: March 25, 2013 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families | Tags: health, javits convention center Leave a comment »On Saturday, March 9th, the walking club and other members of the B-SWEL (Brooklyn- Stay Well, Enjoy Life) program journeyed to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to attend the American Diabetes Association Expo. The trip was enlightening and informative.
B-SWEL Walking Club in 2012
We broke into groups and experienced the expo at our own pace. We collected literature, sampled healthy recipes at the cooking demos and talked to the experts. We had our blood glucose, blood pressure, BMI, and cholesterol checked. We visited many exhibits.
We came away from the Diabetes Expo armed with a fighting spirit. We are now better prepared to set or renew goals for ourselves based on what we learned. We will fight diabetes and win. It was a good day.
-Priscilla Kerr, B-SWEL client
Happy Anniversary: Gideon vs. Wainwright
Posted: March 19, 2013 Filed under: Our Legal Lifeline Leave a comment »Yesterday was the anniversary of the landmark decision in Gideon vs. Wainwright, the Supreme Court case which guaranteed a right to counsel for people accused of a crime. Of note, the author discusses how often people in this country need lawyers in civil proceedings, such as housing cases, and don’t have access to them. Often, people may lose their homes, their children, their income without having any representation or even a consultation with a lawyer. The decision in Gideon addresses criminal proceedings, not civil matters.
Me with a Family Center client
When having a lawyer in civil proceedings is a privilege and not a right, there can be dangerous consequences. At The Family Center, many of our clients have struggled with representing themselves in court for weeks, months and years without assistance. Daily, they face the loss of their children or grandchildren in custody actions; loss of subsistence income such as food stamps or shelter grants; loss of their home in easily preventable eviction proceedings. They may not be facing prison sentences, but rather the paralyzing forfeiture of a vital piece of their lives. For 80% of the poor in this country, those losses come without any access to legal representation.
Dance for a Cause
Posted: March 14, 2013 Filed under: Visionary Volunteer Leave a comment »
Jennifer and Me ice skating in Central Park
I knew that my personal passion for service and spreading positivity and kindness needed to be a part of the DMF business model. It is important to me that DMF be more than just an awesome workout experience, but also a company that promotes positive and happy change in the community. This is why I started Dance For a Cause, a special DMF class in which 100% of proceeds goes to a non-profit organization close to my heart. My very first Dance for a Cause will be benefiting The Family Center’s Buddy Program.
Though I have volunteered my whole life in various capacities, I have always wanted to volunteer in a way that allowed me to create a “forever” bond with a child in need. I went on the hunt for great mentoring programs and found The Family Center’s Buddy Program.
Last fall, I became a mentor to an amazing young girl named Jennifer. From the moment we met, we clicked. Jennifer and I both knew we had found something special. Jennifer LOVES to dance and you will often find us “dance-walking” down the street to the latest tunes. Though we have only been together a few months, we have shared many amazing experiences and I can see such a positive change in her. She is a bright light in my life and I look forward to her big smiles and warm hugs.
Leaving the world more awesome than I found it has always been a passion of mine. I have always believed that one person can make a difference, especially if that one person inspires others to do the same. Soon, the small change becomes big.
Please join me on Sunday, March 24th at 3 PM for Dance for a Cause, a super sweaty and fun dance-party workout benefiting the Family Center’s Buddy Program. The registration fee is $25 and all funds will be going directly to The Family Center, so feel free to give more if you are inclined! All donations are tax deductible and space is limited so sign up now! Click here to register for the class.
Want to donate, but can’t take class? You can do that too by clicking here!
Thank you for your support and I can’t wait to bust a move with you at Dance for a Cause! at DANY Studios-305 West 38th Street on March 24th, 2013 at 3 PM
Lindi Duesenberg, Buddy
All You’ve Given
Posted: March 1, 2013 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families, Social Service Story Leave a comment »Christopher was truant from school, smoking marijuana and behaving aggressively toward his mother and step-father when his mother walked into the ACS office seeking out-of-home placement for him. After going through previous programs, they were referred to The Family Center’s YouthNet Intensive Prevention services in June 2012.
Within the same month, I started individual and family counseling with Christopher and his family. During our sessions, I recalled my family situation as my older brother struggled with the same issues as Christopher. After I shared that my brother eventually lost his battle to drugs and how riddled with regret my father was, Christopher seemed motivated to change.
Christopher’s behavior has recently begun to show improvements. He attends school almost daily and has stopped smoking marijuana. Although his step-father initially refused counseling, he is now willing to build their relationship due to Christopher’s changed behavior.
At the end of the year, I received this heartfelt note from Christopher’s mother- “Thanks Mr. Taylor and staff for all you’ve given this year. We appreciate you and this program for sending someone who cares about our youth.”
-Edward Taylor, Family Center Youth Net Case Planner
Christopher and siblings
The Family Center always gives it our all on behalf of our clients. If you want to give your all to keep families stronger, longer, please donate here.
National Mentoring Month at The Family Center
Posted: January 30, 2013 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families, Social Service Story, Visionary Volunteer Leave a comment »
Mentees from The Buddy Program
On behalf of everyone at The Family Center, I want to say a big Thank You to all of our past, present and prospective mentors! Our mentors are caring and enthusiastic adults who make a serious commitment to make a difference in the life of a child. As if that weren’t enough, many of our mentors also support TFC’s mission in other ways, making and soliciting donations, and volunteering their time and skills throughout the organization.
In celebration of National Mentoring Month, we were able to send a number of our mentor pairs to an event at Dave and Busters hosted by the Mentoring Partnership of New York. Our mentoring pairs from The Buddy Program had a great time and were able to enjoy the various activities, such as face painting, arts and crafts, and video game playing. It was wonderful to see all the Buddies spend quality time with one another and just have fun.
We were able to thank our mentors with a wine and cheese party hosted by the New York City Mentoring Children Collaboration, of which we are a founding member. Our mentors had the opportunity to enjoy an adult evening and meet other TFC mentors, as well as mentors from our partner organizations, Hour Children, and Children of Promise.
It was an exciting month for The Buddy Program in other ways as well:
- The Mentoring Children Collaboration received a grant from the New York Community Trust which will support expansion of mentoring services to children impacted by incarceration.
- Last Saturday, we trained 7 new mentors and made 3 new matches. We are expecting to make as many as 10 matches in the month of February.
- We continued to conduct interviews for our mentoring research study funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Thank you to all the mentors, mentees and parents who have agreed to participate.
- Mentoring pairs attended the first of a four session workshop conducted by The Museum of Modern Art.
A Recent Match in The Buddy Program
We are extremely grateful for the dedication of our mentors. They are truly part of The Family Center mission.
Juan Carlos Payero
Buddy Program Coordinator
&
Marya Gilborn
Director of Social Services
For more information about The Buddy Program and other volunteer opportunities at The Family Center, please contact Juan Carlos Payero at (212) 766-4522 ext. 106 or at jpayero@thefamilycenter.org.
Answering the Call to Serve
Posted: January 25, 2013 Filed under: Visionary Volunteer Leave a comment »
Lyle Monteserrato with a client family at The Family Center Annual Holiday Party 2011
Leaders are called to serve. But I should add what I know from experience: the call to serve is not always loud enough to hear -at least, at first. I’m hoping my story will turn up the volume for you.
I began volunteering with The Family Center by helping vulnerable NYC children decorate cookies and make crafts once a year at the agency’s Annual Holiday Party. After volunteering at this event for a few years, Family Center staff approached me about serving on the Leadership Council.
Only a short time after joining this group of local professionals dedicated to vulnerable NYC families, I was approached again -this time, to serve as Secretary of the Leadership Council. I was not sure if I had time, if it was the ‘right fit,’ etc. Yet The Family Center kept calling. After serving as Secretary , I became Leadership Council Co-Chair.
Today, I serve as the Vice Chair of The Family Center Board of Directors. My company Credit Suisse supports The Family Center in numerous ways, including an annual softball game every spring.
My amazing colleagues at Credit Suisse have been gracious enough to answer my call to serve. A current Co-Chair of Leadership Council, Alexandra Lloyd, as well as the group’s Secretary, Jamie O’Sullivan, came to The Family Center at my urging. The Family Center Santa, Anthony O’Callaghan, also works with me at Credit Suisse (when the North Pole is in its off-season). You see, the call to serve radiates out. Once you have the great experience of volunteering at The Family Center, you will call on others too.
Lyle Monteserrato and his Credit Suisse colleagues at The Family Center Holiday Party 2012. Photo credit: Ehsanul Haque
I am lucky to work at a company so incredibly supportive of volunteerism. My generous colleagues magnify this giving and its impact. Together, we work with The Family Center to keep vulnerable NYC families stronger, longer.
My question for you, future leader, is this: When will you answer The Family Center’s call to serve?
-Lyle Monteserrato,
Vice Chair of The Family Center Board of Directors
P.S. Answer The Family Center’s call to serve by joining us for the Leadership Council social on February 20th at 7pm. Click here for more information.
