EMPOWERING CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL THE NEWSLETTER OF FAMILY CENTERS | SUMMER 2012

Two of Family Centers’ most com-mitted volunteers were honored

for continually improving the lives ofarea families during The CommunityFund of Darien’s annual DarienVolunteer Day Awards ceremony.

Bob Wells was presented the ObieHarrington-Howes Community SpiritAward. As a member of the FamilyCenters’ Board of Directors since 2000,Bob has left a mark on nearly everyaspect of the organization. As a formeradvertising executive, Bob helped tosolidify Family Centers’ communica-tions plan and was a driving forcebehind the increased visibility theagency has enjoyed in recent years.

He has also led numerous internalspeaker trainings, and taught FamilyCenters’ staff how to “tell their stories”

Family Centers VolunteersRecognized at Darien Volunteer Day

in the community. And as a member ofThe Blue Flames – a touring steel drumband – Wells has raised thousands ofdollars to help families in need.

For the past nine years, Terri Walkerhas shown an unparalleled dedicationto Family Centers and its clients asboth a Board Member and volunteer.She has co-chaired several successfulfundraisers for Family Centers, includ-ing the 2011 Silk Road Benefit.

This May, Terri was a driving forcebehind the success of the 2012 Centerfor HOPE Luncheon with MarieTillman (see page 2). She has beeninvolved with the agency’s HopeLights Lives Luminary campaign,which raises upwards of $100,000annually for the Center for HOPE andThe Den for Grieving Kids.

Photo left: Family Centers’ Manager of Volunteer Services Jennifer Flatow and Terri Walker. Photo right: Family Centers’ President Bob Arnold and Bob Wells

FAMILY CENTERS AWARDEDSTATE GRANT TO OPEN NEWPRESCHOOL CLASSROOM

As part of Gov. Dannel Malloy’s

education reform efforts, Family Centers

has received a $108,000 grant to make

13 additional School Readiness pre-

school slots available for the 2012-2013

school year.

In order to accommodate the new

students, Family Centers plans to open

a new classroom at its First Steps

Preschool located at Armstrong Court

in late August. The class will be oper-

ated by Family Centers in collaboration

with the Greenwich Board of

Education and the Greenwich School

Readiness Council. The First Steps site

currently serves 51 children through its

existing School Readiness class (called

the Dancing Dolphins) and a Head

Start program.

The grant covers roughly two thirds of

the costs associated with the new

classroom’s operation and Family

Centers is actively seeking the addi-

tional funding to ensure that the new

class is ready for the start of the

upcoming school year. When Family

Centers opened a similar classroom in

2007, the Greenwich United Way pro-

vided the funding to furnish the space.

2 WWW. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G

When Pat Tillman gave up a promising NFL career tobecome an Army Ranger following the Sept. 11

attacks, his wife, Marie, stood by his side. Despite thefact that they were newly married and looked forward tobuilding a life together, Marie understood this was some-thing Pat felt he needed to do.

But while Pat was serving his second tour ofAfghanistan, Marie received the news that would changeher life forever. Pat was killed by friendly fire in 2004,which created national headlines and left Marie to grievethe loss of her husband in the public eye.

Marie spoke about how she coped with the many emo-tions surrounding Pat’s death at the 2012 Center forHOPE Luncheon on May 8 at the Country Club of Darien.She said one of Pat’s final letters – in which he urgedher to go on with life in the event he didn’t make itback – provided her with the biggest sense of comfortduring the most difficult times.

“For me, it was coming to terms with the fact that thisperson who I’ve loved and has been in my life for areally long time is gone,” she told the audience of near-ly than 250. “And the challenge is trying to find a wayto pick up the pieces and put your life back togetherwhen it’s not turning out the way you thought it would.”

Marie Tillman, Widow of Late Army Rangerand NFL Star, Speaks at CFH Luncheon

The Luncheon, co-chaired by Terri Walker, KK Lowtherand Healther Pech, raised more than $130,000 for theCenter for HOPE and The Den for Grieving Kids – FamilyCenters’ critical illness and bereavement support pro-grams.

On June 26, Marie released her memoir The Letter: MyJourney Through Love, Loss and Life. Attendees can pickup a complimentary copy of the book at Barrett Bookstorein Darien.

George Reilly, partner at Siegel, Reilly and Conlon, LLC,was also honored with the Ray of HOPE Award. Georgecurrently sits on Family Centers’ Senior Advisory Boardand was instrumental in the organization’s merger withthe Center for HOPE in 2005.

Clockwise from right: Marie Tillman and FamilyCenters’ Senior Advisor Karen Casey; FamilyCenters’ Vice Chairman Laurie Grauer and ChairmanLaurie Host; Ray of HOPE winner George Reilly, hiswife Lynn (right) and Marie Tillman; Family Centers’President Bob Arnold and Board Member HelenDixon; Nancy Brown and Marie Tillman; BrianCossari and Mike Hoffman of Hoffman Landscapes;Event Co-chairs KK Lowther, Terri Walker andHeather Pech with Marie Tillman.

3WWW. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G

A group of Greenwich Academy students put the finishing touches on the newly

renovated playground at the Arch Street Preschool.

Led by Phoebe Morrison, the students

outfitted the three tepees located in the

playground’s Native American Village with

traditional motifs. The process took an

entire weekend, as the students stenciled

and painted the tepees.

Thanks to grants from the Town of

Greenwich, First Presbyterian Church

in Greenwich and the Leon Lowenstein

Foundation, the playground underwent

a major facelift late last year. The state-

of-the-art playground features an open

layout and includes a large bird’s nest,

permanent musical instruments, a

small amphitheater and rock and rope

climbing stations.

Greenwich Academy Students PutFinishing Touch on Playground

In celebration of National VolunteerWeek, Family Centers hosted aVolunteer Recognition Breakfast onApril 19. Greenwich Selectman DaveTheis was on hand to present a specialproclamation to honor Family Centers’volunteers for their hard work overthe past year.

With more than 1,500 volunteers lending their time and effort to its mission of empowering individuals,families and communities to reachtheir true potential, Family Centersowes much of its success to these dedicated individuals and families.

For more information on our volunteer opportunities, visitwww.familycenters.org or contactJennifer Flatow at jflatow@familycenters.org or 203-869-4848.

Family CentersHonors Volunteers

Top: Kathleen Brotherton and Carol MethaMiddle: Greenwich Selectman Dave Theis andJennifer Flatow, Manager of Volunteer ServicesBottom: Melissa Schreff, Manager ofAdministrative Services, and volunteer Bruce Williams

Students from Greenwich Academy prepare to paint the tepees at the Arch Street Preschool.

4 WWW. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G

Dancin’ in ChicagoAnonymousAnne and Jack BallMarge and Bill BerkleyLaurie and Peter GrauerArlene and Reuben MarkValerie and Mike McKeeverJoan Melber WarburgLois and Greg Willis

Down in New OrleansLeigh and Ben CarpenterMary and Garrett MoranNonie and John Sullivan

In New York CityBrooke and Tom AshforthMary and Marvin DavidsonPatti and Eric FastHillenbrand Family FoundationWendy and Richard HokinAlice and Chris HolbrookChristina and John HornerGillian and Bob SteelDebby and Peter Weinberg

Can’t Forget theMotor CityNestle Waters North AmericaOverbrook FoundationWendy and Paul RaetherArt and Lindsay ReimersJeannie and Jeff RoseDiane and John StrausAmy and John Weinberg

Way Down in L.A.Ellen and Alan BreedAnn and Sam CrollBarbara and Ray DalioJan and Bob DilenschneiderCory and Bob DonnalleyAnne and William HarrisonLaurie and George HostMary and Thomas McGowanMitchell’s of WestportNell and John OttoBarbara and John RobinsonCindy and John SitesBonnie and Tom StraussSue Ann WeinbergSusan and Cliff Yonce

Philadelphia P.A.Andrea and Bob ArnoldThe Ashforth CompanyAllison and Avery BourkeHarry and Kathy ClarkAnne and Bill FarrellRosemary and Carlos FerrerSonia and Paul JonesJill and Kip KoonsSonnet and Ian McKinnonMuffy and Don MillerBarbara NetterKathleen and John StackLisa and Scott StuartLouise and Henrik VanderlipJeannie and Rick Witmer

Baltimore and D.C. NowAmory AmstrongBK and John BatesBridget and Stafford BucknallGinger and Jim CabreraMary and Michael CarpenterRegina and Tom CholnokySuzanne and Rich ClaryGay and John CoeNancy and Jock CoffinKay and Gary CohenKaren CoxeKarin CrooksEllie and Edgar CullmanDiana and Lyman DelanoHelen and Bruce DixonCarole and Art EliasMeredith and Brian FeurtadoIcy and Scott FrantzElissa and Robert FriedmanGabelli FundAnne and Carl GoodnowKaty and Chris GrayJoli GrossJessica and Drew GuffAndre and Hilary HarocheWendy and Edward HendersonPatti and Benji HillSophie and William HoodAnne and Seeley HubbardBess and George HubbardNancy and Thomas IrelandHeather and Wayne JervisKimberly and Chris JohnsonEllen and Bob KaufmannJoni and Kevin KimberlinPage and John Knox

Elizabeth and Doug LakeKristina and Frank LoverroKK and George LowtherNicole and William LynchTia and Michael MahaffyMaryAnne and John McGowanAnne and Philip MillerSally and Tom NeffBeverly and Peter OrthweinJulie and Doug OstroverKim and Peter ParentSharon and Barney PhillipsValantina and Nicholas ProutyDeborah and Perry RobinsonLeslee and David RogathFabiola and Andrew RolfeSuzanne and Tim SennattMargaret and Christopher SinclairVictoria and Spyros SkourasMason and Susan SleeperLynda and Curt SolsvigMimi and Barry SternlichtDavidde and Ronald StrackbeinSamuel WalkerLizora and Sam YonceJessica and Basil Zirinis

Everywhere Aroundthe WorldMarilyn and Stuart AdelbergSamuel AsbeckAlexandra Belluzzi and

Michael FichterAllan and Nancy BernardSabrina BriefelSusan Bevan and Anthony DaddinoMarybeth BrownLinda ClarksonMatt DrippsCarol and Jim FlanaganLiliane and Christian HaubBeverly and Rodney HawesPiera IoriCaroline and Michael KeigherBeth and Jonathan KernShelly and Tony MalkinKatharine and

Kenneth MountcastleRuth and Marc NewbergLinda and William OgdenDouglas PeckJane and Michael PerelmanAnne and Jim PuglieseLouise and Gerry PuschelRachel ReeseNancy and George Rieger

Walter RitzLinda and Rony SchlapferAmy SethiRuthann and Robert ShortDonna and Martin SpellmanSue and Jeff ThompsonLinda and Jim TullisNicole WeisenburgerEric WestLynne WheatJulie and Trevor Woods

Catering UnderwriterAnonymous

Photobooth, BreakDancer, and 3D ChalkArtist UnderwriterAnonymous

Ferris Wheel and CandyBar UnderwriterMerrilou and Justin Hillenbrand

Dessert TruckUnderwriterW.R. Berkley Corporation

Hot Dog Cart UnderwriterStatoil Marketing & Trading (US) Inc.

Airbrush TattooUnderwriterMarge and Bill Berkley

Exclusive MagazineSponsorGreenwich Magazine – MofflyMedia

Special Thanks toCoalhouse PizzaGardens by JeffHarpoon BreweryIndependent ServicesShemin Nurseries

We apologize for any errors or omissions

With the generous support of our event sponsors and contributors, Family Centers raised $540,000!

5WWW. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G

“Dancin’ in the Street”

Benji Hill, Mary Davidson

Robert Shapiro, Carl Goodnow, Wynne Shapiro, Anne Goodnow

Arlene & Reuben Mark, Kevin & Joni Kimberlin Bob Steel, Suzanne & Tim Sennatt

Chris & Katy Gray and Steve Walko

Allison Bourke, Patti Fast

Peter Weinberg, Art Reimers, Jean Witmer, Lindsay Reimers

6 WWW. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G

“Dancin’ in the Street” R

Rocco & Netta D’Angelo, Vicky & Mark Smith, Diane & John Straus

Chris & Alice Holbrook

Michael & Alex Fichter, Joli Gross, Pete Maloney KK & George Lowther, Charlotte Minor, Tom & Brooke AshforthHeather Jervis, Spyros Skouras,Valantina Prouty

Amy & Paul Sethi Carlos & Rosemary Ferrer

Marge & Bill Berkley Valerie & Mike McKeever, Laurie Ho

BK Bates, John Knox, John Bates

Fabiola Rolfe

7WWW. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R GTO SEE MORE PHOTOS, VISIT

www.fairfieldcountylook.com

Rocks the Neighborhhood

Amanda Venieri, Sam Asbeck,Nicole Weisenberger

Jessica Guff, Leigh Carpenter, Gay Coe, Taylor Gray Nancy Ireland, Gillian Steel

Wayne Jervis, Perry Robinson

Julie Graham, Muffy Fox Henrik and Louise Vanderlip Cliff & Susan Yonce

Laurie, Peter and Tori Grauer

George Host, Jean and Stig Host

ost Matthew Dripps, Sabrina Briefel, Britton Bollinger

8 WWW. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G

It’s been said that our great-est barrier to success is thefear of failure. Nate Barnettwill tell you that a dose ofconfidence has made a worldof difference in his life. Natehas grown up with learningdisabilities, which sometimepresent challenges when hetries to communicate with oth-ers. Over the years of frustrat-ing personal interactions,Nate’s self-esteem was at anall-time low.

Having recently graduated from high school, Nate wasworried about his job prospects. Knowing that his learn-ing disabilities sometimes made school difficult, Natethought that he didn’t have the skill set to succeed in theworking world.

After some failed attempts to land a job, a friend sug-gested that Nate contact Family Centers, which providesonsite vocational support and counseling at his housing

FACES OF FAMILY CENTERS NateBarnett

complex in Stamford. Shortly after his first meeting withFamily Centers, Nate mustered the courage to enroll insome job-readiness classes. With the support of FamilyCenters, he also wrote his first resume and practiced hisinterviewing techniques.

The support Nate received also helped him understandhow to properly search for jobs using Internet tools andsocial media. More importantly, Nate’s self-confidencegot the boost it desperately needed.

Today, Nate is riding the wave of his revitalized confi-dence. Currently employed with WorkPlace, Inc., Natemaintains and beautifies Stamford’s parks. He is confi-dent, happy, and eager to continue improving his life.While a year ago Nate might have avoided eye contactwith most people he encountered, today he greets otherswith a smile and spark in his eye.

“After all the trials I’ve had to go through, I finally foundin Family Centers the help I needed to get a job,” Natesaid. “Finding a job has been a huge boost, and it givesme confidence to keep trying new things.”

Family Centers’ Board Member and Employee Named “Family Champions”Family Centers’ board member Carl

Goodnow and staff member Katey Smith

were recognized as “Family Champions”

by the Connecticut Council of Family

Service Agencies (CCFSA) for their out-

standing commitment to improving the

lives of families.

At a ceremony held at the Trumbull

Marriot on May 9, the CCFSA honored

Carl, Katey and 30 other human services

professionals and volunteers whose

unselfish actions have strengthened

families in Connecticut.

Since joining the Family Centers Board

of Directors in 2002, Carl has worked

because of abuse or neglect. Katey also

coordinates Family Centers’ Trauma

Response Team.

Family Centers’ President Bob Arnold (center)congratulates 2012 Family Champions KateySmith (left) and Carl Goodnow (right).

tirelessly to ensure that children and fam-

ilies living in lower Fairfield County have

access to the services they need to realize

their potential. In addition to co-chairing

the agency’s Fostering Independence and

Facilities committees, he sits on Family

Centers’ Governance Committee and co-

chairs the Facilities Committee. In 2011,

Carl also oversaw the design, construction

and fundraising efforts associated with

the creation of the Arch Street Preschool’s

new state-of-the-art playground.

Katey has worked at Family Centers for

six years. As the agency’s Reconnecting

Families Coordinator, she goes above and

beyond to reunite families torn apart

9WWW. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G

On June 21, Greenwich Head StartPreschools and Dancing Dolphins

School Readiness Classroom held agraduation ceremony to celebrate the28 students moving onto kindergarten

Head Start teachers presented eachgraduate with a “diploma”, and all 51students enrolled in the school per-formed a collection of their favoritesongs. Afterward, the students andtheir families gathered for a congratu-latory lunch.

As part of its Global Volunteer Month,Morgan Stanley Smith Barney WealthManagement in Greenwich generouslyagreed to underwrite the event.

26.2 FOR FAMILY CENTERSSome people run marathons for fit-

ness reasons. Others do it to check

an item off their “bucket list.” But

Family Centers’ Communications

Director Bill Brucker recently ranthe New Jersey Marathon to raise

funds for children and families in

need living in lower Fairfield

County.

Leading up to his first full marathon,

Bill collected more than $2,250 in

donations for Family Centers. The

money will be used to help fund

the agency’s human service, health

and counseling

programs that

assist more than

18,000 people

each year.

Bill completed

the marathon’s

26.2 mile course

in 3:41:56 –

placing 496

out of a

field of

2,317 run-

ners. The New

Jersey Marathon

is one of the

tri-state area’s

premier running

events. The sce-

nic course starts

at the historic

Monmouth Park

Racetrack and takes

runners through the

oceanfront towns

of Oceanport, Long

Branch, Deal, Ocean

Grove, Loch Arbour,

Allenhurst and

Asbury Park.

Head Start Preschool SendsStudents Off to Kindergarten

In addition to volunteering at theevent, Morgan Stanley Smith Barneyemployees provided lunch for all graduates and their families. They alsoprovided an ice cream truck, flowers,decorations and gifts for the teachers.

The Head Start Preschools andDancing Dolphins School ReadinessClass offer education programs forthree, four and five-year-old children offamilies residing in Greenwich publicand subsidized housing. The programsalso emphasize parent involvement toencourage and support children’s educational and social development.

Head Start Site Manager Elena Perisa leads thestudents in a sing-along

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney volunteers

10 WWW. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G

Cory DonnalleyIN MEMORY OF

We fondly remember Cory Donnalley, a dedicated Board

member who recently passed away following a long battle

with cancer. For 18 years, Cory poured

her heart into her volunteer work

with Family Centers. As a result, she

enriched the organization and posi-

tively impacted the lives of thousands

of children and families.

Cory served on Family Centers’ Board

of Directors since 1994. During that

time, she was an active member of

several planning groups including

the Social Policy & Advocacy Committee. Cory had a partic-

ular interest in the welfare of local children, and chaired

Family Centers’ Bright Beginnings Committee to strengthen

the agency’s programs that serve children. She also chaired

successful benefit events, and was the 2003 recipient of the

Family Centers’ Helen Gratz Rockefeller Outstanding

Volunteerism Award.

At the request of Cory’s family, those wishing to memorial-

ize Cory’s life may do so through a gift to Family Centers.

Donations may be made online at www.familycenters.org

or mailed to:

Family Centers, 40 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT 06830

For information on setting up a remainder trust for you or

a loved one to benefit Family Centers, contact Jim Vivier at

jvivier@familycenters.org or 203-869-4848.

Family Centers’ President Bob ArnoldHonored by Greenwich ChamberNamed “Community Leader” at Chamber’s AnnualAwards Luncheon

At the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce’s AnnualAwards Luncheon on April 24, Family Centers’

President Bob Arnold was recognized for his organiza-tion’s work with children and families in need.

During the ceremony, which was held at the MillbrookClub in Greenwich, Bob was presented with theCommunity Leader Award. The award honors an individ-ual or an organization in Greenwich that has worked tomake a difference in the betterment of the communitythrough their efforts.

This year marks Bob’s 30th anniversary as FamilyCenters’ president.

Regular visitors to Family Centers’ website may have noticed the site has

undergone a bit of a facelift. In addition to its fresh look, the new site

operates on a more user-friendly navigation configuration and includes

several exciting new features.

www.familycenters.org’s New Look

We hope you enjoy the improvements to www.familycenters.org

and use it as a useful tool to find important information about our

programs and services.

Family Centers’ President Bob Arnold (right) receives the Community LeaderAward from Greenwich Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Jeff Weber(center) and Greenwich Rotary Club President President Jim Vivier (left).

11WWW. F A M I LY C E N T E R S . O R G

~ IN HONOR OF ~

Robert M. ArnoldJoan & Bob Fields

Jackie & John Keeshan

Marnie Dawson CarrMicki Linen

Jennifer FlatowAnonymous – Through Silicon Valley Community

Foundation

Laurie GrauerNell Wall Otto & John F. Otto, Jr.

Laurie HostKathleen Emmett

Nell Wall Otto & John F. Otto, Jr.

Arlene MarkMary & Michael Carpenter

Irene & Bill PetersonEllen Leone

George ReillyKaren Casey

~ IN MEMORY OF ~

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SENIOR ADVISORS

Officers • Laurie Host, Chairman • Laurie Grauer, Vice Chairman • Patti Fast, Vice Chairman • Mike McKeever, Treasurer • Kevin Walsh, Assistant Treasurer • Allison Bourke, Secretary• Alice Holbrook, Assistant Secretary • Bob Arnold, President & CEO

Directors • Tom Ashforth • Anne Ball • Marge Berkley • Abby Bowers • Doug Brown • Molly Byrne • Pam Caffray • Dave Campbell • Leigh Carpenter • Jan Dilenschneider • Helen Dixon• Carl Goodnow • Julie Graham • Joli Gross • Richard Hokin • John Horton, Jr. • Seeley Hubbard • Lauren Kelley Driscoll • Kip Koons • Arlene Mark • Charlotte Minor • Mary Moran •Lindsay Reimers • John Straus • Nonie Sullivan • Mimi Tabah • Kathleen Tropin • David Tuttle • The Rev. David Van Dyke • Terri Walker • Joan Warburg • Bunny Weicker • Susan Yonce

Senior Advisors • Bert Ballin • Gini Bantle • Lucy Barrett • Darryl Branch • Ellen Bromley • Molly Byrne • Karen Casey • John Conte • Bob Fields, D.M.D. • Muffie Fitzgerald • Jane Frank• Joi Gallo • Edwen Goldstein • Judi Gooding • Mickey Graham • Hazel Hobbs • Hyacinthe Hoffman • Mystique Johnston • Debbie Katz • Karen Keegan • Kim Kispert • Howard Kraft• Johnnie Lee • Muffie Lynch • Tom Melly • Sharon Phillips • Mimi Pivirotto • Michael Pralle • George Reilly • Allison Rubeli • Marion Schmeelk-Kirkman • Margaret Sirot • CathyWeisenburger • Bob Wells

EJames Victor LehrenLisa & Henri Lehren

Adam LewisBarbara Coleman

Cora OsherowKaren & Frank Knapp

Katharine Torrey CameronWendy Forkner

John Van Alen MurraySusan K. Gray

Tyler YatesEmily D’Andrea

The QBE Foundation, the philan-

thropic arm of QBE Insurance

Group Limited, has awarded Family

Centers a $10,000 grant to support

the agency’s self sufficiency services.

Family Centers was chosen for this

grant because its programs like

Reaching Independence Through

Employment (RITE), the Family Self

Sufficiency Program and Housing

Resource Program further the QBE

Foundation’s mission of supporting

vocational opportunities and help-

ing people live more independently,

successfully and productively.

Elizabeth Radley AndersonEdith M. Radley

Harry L. BaugherLaurie B. Stuek

Cory DonnalleyStuart Adelberg & The Staff of the

Greenwich United Way

Andrea & Bob Arnold

Elizabeth & JonathanBates

Bryce Breen

Selma & John Burley

Linda Carper

Jane & Virgil Cumming

Helen & Bruce Dixon

Livvy & Doug Floren

Mary Cirillo Goldberg &Jay Goldberg

Linda & Harris Goldman

Janice L. Grinnell

David H. Griswold

Todd Haimes

Ann E. Hamm

Elaine & Denny Hamm

Ellen & HarveyHeinbach

Susan & Robert Keiser

Stacey & Steve Lapin

Jeff Lawson, Neil Pepe& Everyone at AtlanticTheater Company

Carol & John Lee and Family

Hilda Lee

Ilyse Levy

Debra A. Lewis

Ann Johnson-Lundberg& Jeff Lundberg

Lori Marden

Joan & George Mathes

Phyllis & Jim McDonald

Ruth & Marc Newberg

Joan & Sam Person

Laurence M. Person

Susan Polmar

Pearl & Don Richman

Elizabeth & JohnRoberts

Leslee & David Rogath

Jan & Peter Shames

Roy Thung

Erica & Gary Tubridy

Roz & Jack Zacks

QBE ANNOUNCES GRANTTO FAIRFIELD COUNTYORGANIZATION

John brings a wealth of financialexpertise to the Board. For manyyears, he held senior leadership positions at some of the world’s most renowned banking institutionsincluding Salomon Brothers, MorganStanley, JP Morgan and UBS. He iscurrently a founding partner withFallLine Strategic Advisors, a wealthmanagement consulting firm foundedin 2010.

John also has an extensive philan-thropic background. He has served asBoard President of the CommunityFund of Darien, and chaired theHolderness School’s InvestmentCommittee.

John lives in New Canaan with hiswife, Diane.

Family Centers recently welcomedJohn Straus to theBoard of Directors

F F MMIILLYYCENTERS CENTERS 40 Arch Street, P.O. Box 7550Greenwich, CT 06836-7550

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDBridgeport, CTPermit No. 347

Contact usFamily Centers’ Executive Offices, & Arch Street Preschool40 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT 06830 Tel (203) 869-4848www.familycenters.org

Family Centers GreenwichTel (203) 629-2822

Family Centers Darien/New CanaanTel (203) 655-0547 / Tel (203) 972-0556

Family Centers StamfordTel (203) 324-3167

Center for HOPETel (203) 655-4693

Family Centers –Stamford Government CenterTel (203) 977-4939

Early Childhood Education & Head Start Preschools

Gateway PreschoolTel (203) 531-8430

First Steps Head StartTel (203) 522-0633

Kids Corner Head StartTel (203) 869-2730

Joan Melber Warburg Early Childhood CenterTel (203) 629-2822

Follow us on:

On June 2, Family Centers kicked off summer with a street festival likenone other! Great tunes, delicious food and a little “Dancin’ in the

Street” were just a few of the things on tap at the agency’s 2012 benefit.

Held at the historic Greenwich Armory, the event brought an authentic “streetfair vibe” to Greenwich that thrilled the more than 350 people in attendance.

With gourmet food trucks, 3-D chalk art, a giant Ferris Wheel, jaw-droppingbreak dancers and many other surprises, co-chairs Allison Bourke, AbbyBowers, Pam Caffray, Patti Fast and Nonie Sullivan planned a once-in-a-life-time party that was truly a multi-sensory experience. Guests were also treatedto an acoustic performance by Fairfield County band, Finster, in a beer gardensponsored by Coalhouse Pizza and Harpoon Brewery.

Like most of Family Centers’ benefits, this year’s event was purposelydesigned to be casual. In fact, to quote the famous song, “It doesn’t matterwhat you wear just as long as you are there!”

“Dancin’ in the Street” was Family Centers’ largest fundraiser of the year. The event raised $540,000 for the agency’s human service, health and education programs.

“Dancin’ in the Street” Rocks the Block

(More photos on page 4)

Laurie Host, Jan Dilenschneider