Opening Doors Vol 2 Issue 2

T O C H I L D R E N W I T H S P E C I A L H E A L T H C A R E N E E D S

O P E N I N G D O O R S

Congratulations to these NAC children and parents on their recent adoptions!

Mariam and Tamarata wereadopted by Mustapha andFatoumata Wague onSeptember 4, 2008.

Miguel was adopted by Judith Cedeno on December 9, 2008.

If you know a family who can give a loving foster/adoptive home to a medically fragile child, pleaseencourage them to go to:

www.nac-inc.org/recruitment

or call:

NAC’s Homefinding Department(212) 696-1550 or (646) 352-9047

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

2 Letter from the Executive Director

3 Fall Activities

4 From our ParentsFrom our VolunteersArtists’ Corner

5 NAC Holiday Party

6 Benefit NewsGrants at Work Thank you Donors

Adoption News

NAC’s Post Legal Adoption NetworkReceives National Award

37 West 26th StreetNew York, NY 10010T 212.696.1550F 212.696.1602

15 West 26th StreetNew York, NY 10010T 212.994.7940F 212.994.3003

www.nac-inc.org

New Alternatives for Children, Inc.

NAC CelebratesAdoption AwarenessMonth

Fifteen NAC families joined together at our 2nd annualAdoptive Family Celebration on Saturday, November 8. Twenty parents and 31 childrenenjoyed family photo sessions,magic shows, games, parent/child sharing, and entertainment,assisted by a Credit Suisse volunteer and friends. Novemberis Adoption Awareness Month,with events celebrating the joysof adoption in all 50 states.

NAC has been honored with a 2008 Adoption Excellence Award in

the category Support for Adoptive Families. This national award

from the Children’s Bureau of the Department of Health and

Human Services recognizes NAC for “extraordinary contributions it

has made in providing adoption and other permanency outcomes

for children in foster care.” Carol Hirsch, LCSW, Director of NAC’s

Post Legal Adoption Network (PLAN) since 2000, traveled to

Washington, DC on October 21, 2008 to accept the award at the

Children’s Bureau annual conference. (continued on page 2)

Volume 2 Issue 2 Winter 2009

At left: One of our NAC families enjoying the festivities.

173589_nac_final_DG3_R2.qxt:Layout 1 2/3/09 11:49 AM Page 1

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1

NAC’s Post Legal Adoption NetworkReceives National Award

PLAN has prevented any adoption dissolutions in the families it serves since

its initiation in 1994. PLAN also has become an organizing force in New York

City and State among adoption agencies and in the child welfare field. NAC

families who adopt children who are disabled and/or chronically ill have

exceptional skills as loving caregivers, but still need extra support in raising

these special children. Like all our families, PLAN families know they can always

count on NAC.

New Alternatives for Children, Inc.

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

PresidentElizabeth S. Pforzheimer

President Elect Virginia Aaron

Vice PresidentsJohn R. Cannell, Esq.Jonathan A. KneePatricia S. LevinsonAndrew P. Mezey, MD, MS

SecretaryBarbara R. Rauch, LCSW

TreasurerLouis Lipschitz

Diane AbbeyTerri D. Austin, Esq.Pascal DesrochesAlan R. Fleischman, MD

Robert L. FriedmanJill Sabin GarnerSusan G. GevertzCarol GutmanPeter R. Haje, Esq.Joseph R. IannielloRonald IervolinoThomas A. JareckiMark N. Kaplan, Esq.Meryl R. Kaynard, Esq.Fern June Khan, MSW

Sandra E. LernerJennifer Goodman LinnLouis G. MaloofRobert D. MarcusAdam L. MillerEugene A. PinoverSanford B. PraterEric J. RosenGlenn RufranoMeryl ShermanSusan M. SlaterAlma T. Young, MSW, Ed.D.

Advisory DirectorsMargaret Grey, Dr. P.H.K.D. Hendricks-Muñoz, MD

Cecily Truett

Directors EmeritiIris AbronsDale G. BergerMichael P. GaertnerWayland M. Mead, Esq.Stephen Richardson, Ph.D.

Lorraine Tregde, MPA

Duncan WhitesideMary C. Wolf

Executive DirectorArlene Goldsmith, LCSW, Ph.D.

Dear Friends:

As the new year of 2009 is already unfolding before us, at NAC we cannot help but

remark on how much change is occurring. The Presidency of Barack Obama is certainly

unprecedented as is the economic uncertainty that has gripped the nation.

While times like these present challenges, they also provide unique opportunities. Some

agencies serving children and families in New York City have elected to close or cut

back on program services. The City has turned to NAC to help pick up where they left

off, requesting that NAC provide child welfare services to a greater number of families.

We have said yes and are making plans to accommodate more children in both

Preventive Services and our Foster Care & Adoption Program.

NAC continues its dedication to being there to help our families in these tough times,

and to maintaining the level and quality of services available to NAC’s families who are

raising children with special medical needs.

We also continue to be grateful for all of the support provided by the entire family of

“NAC friends,” and extend our best wishes to you for a fabulous 2009.

Arlene Goldsmith, Ph.D. E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

O P E N I N G D O O R S P A G E 2

NAC high school graduates who entered college this fall received congratulations from NAC staffand our teens already in college at our annual trunk day party.


Although fall brings busy school schedules to NAC children, there is always time for fun, friendship and learningat NAC as well. Ongoing groups at NAC included the Sibling Girls Group, Girl Power, Early Teen ArtTherapy, Young Adult Art Therapy, The Me I’m Learning to Be, Drama Therapy, Music with Kiki,Young Independent Women’s group, and Animal Assisted Therapy. Groups visited the MetropolitanMuseum of Art, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the New York Hall of Science,the Skyscraper Museum, the Sports Museum, and the Puppetry Arts Halloween Carnival. NAC kidswere thrilled to see the Hudson Guild Theatre’s production of Illyria, a musical adapted from Shakespeare’sTwelfth Night, and several children enjoyed acting exercises at Center Stage Studios. NAC children are alsointerested in contributing to their community, so once again a group performed community service for MitzvahDay at The Central Synagogue.

O P E N I N G D O O R S P A G E 3O P E N I N G D O O R S P A G E 2

staff


Editor Marcia Scanlon

Contributors Robert Cruz, SuzanneDevoti, Stephanie Gardner, LaraHanson, Carol Hirsch, JessicaLutzke, Carleen Miller-Verna,Yolanda Ruiz, Brian Schatz,Carolyn Synol, Jenny Traslavina,Steve Walton

Distribution Lydia Roman

Designer Shari Finger Design LLC

I am writing you to express howmuch you mean to me and myfamily. We have belonged toNew Alternatives for Childrenfor about 15 years now andwords can’t express the gratitudewe feel. From the bottom of myheart, I want to thank you forshowing your affection to us, adistinction we have always felt.Thank you so much for beingwho you are.

I also want to take the opportu-nity to thank you and the organi-zation for the wonderful giftwhich was greatly needed andappreciated by my son which isthe custom wheelchair stroller.The wheelchair stroller has had a significant impact in Wilson'slife. He easily transports to college comfortably.

NAC is an excellent agency witha very efficient and professionalstaff that is always dedicated toresolving our issues no matterthe size or gravity. The socialworkers in this agency who haveworked with us will always carrya special place in our hearts.May God bless you and yours.

A N A , N A C P A R E N T

From

our

P A R E N T S

NAC extends a special thanksto Steve Diakoumakis.Steve has volunteered at NAC

events since 2004, when hewas employed at New PlanExcel Realty Trust, a long-timepartner of NAC’s. We deeplyappreciate his kindness andcommitment to our children.Jessica Lutzke, Director,Volunteers and CommunityRelations, received the fol-lowing email from him afterthe Holiday Party:

Hi Jessica, I wanted to saythanks for giving Joseph andCJ to me to spend time withon Saturday. They are twogreat kids (CJ told me heloved me as he gave me agoodbye hug). Very sweet.Joseph was more cautious inthe beginning but he warmedup quickly and wanted me todo everything he was doing.They both have big heartsand kind spirits. I would love to spend time with them again.

From

our

V O L U N T E E R S

NAC’s YoungIndependent Women’s group creates quilt for 2008 Benefit

The quilt pictured below, created

for NAC’s Benefit Event auction,

also marked a significant moment

for our Young IndependentWomen group (YIW). At a

graduation ceremony on

October 23, the young women

presented their creation to

Arlene Goldsmith, who then gave

each YIW graduate a diploma to

mark her growth and hard work.

Now that they are adults, the

graduates are initiating the NAC

Alumni Group, through which

they will continue with the agency

that has given them so much.

For the 4th year, the YIW offered

to make a quilt to help raise

funds for NAC. One of them said,

“I like helping NAC because NAC

is a good place to be, and NAC

is helpful to lots of people.” The

group collaborates in the design,

fabric selection and construction

of each creation. The Fortunoff

family donated fabrics for the

quilt, but because legend claims

good luck for the recipient of a

quilt containing scraps from

other quilts, the young women

used those as well. NAC sends

thanks and congratulations to

members and graduates of the

YIW group for their splendid

achievements, and looks forward

to the contributions of new

members.

Art

ists

’ C O R N E RS A V E T H E D A T E !


Saturday Night, April 25 Sunday Matinee, April 26

Once again, Board member and thespian

Lou Maloof is bringing his troupe to Peter

Jay Sharpe Theatre with stage productions

to benefit NAC. There will be performances

of The Good Doctor by Anton Chekov.

For more information, please contact

Jessica Lutzke at 212-696-1550 x230 or

[email protected].

C A R O L H I R S C H , L C S W (left)Director of NAC’s Post Legal Adoption Network, receiving the 2008 AdoptionExcellence Award.

O P E N I N G D O O R S S T A F F

Above: K.I.D.S. (Kids in DistressedSituations) supplied NAC students with backpacks at a festive back-to-school party in September.



Once again, almost 1,000 NAC children and parents attended the annual NAC Holiday Party. This year’s theme, NAC Around The World, offered visits with Santa at the North Pole, and opportunities to discover other cultures and countries through games and activities. Talented NAC kids joined professional dancers and singers to provide livelyentertainment. NAC teens met in the Teen Room for card, board and video games. Our Holiday Party is possible onlywith individual and corporate volunteers, many of whom help out at NAC events year after year. This year more than 150 volunteers came from Credit Suisse Americas, Accenture, Centro Properties, New York Life Insurance,The NAC Jr. Benefit Committee, nycTIES, Disney/ESPN, Estée Lauder, Société Générale, Willkie Farr &Gallagher LLP and the NYC Fire Department. NAC kids made friends with therapy dogs and their trainers fromAngel On A Leash. A special note of thanks goes to Eileen Beetar and Pat Alberigo of AAA New York, who supplied more than 30 convertible, booster and infant seats so that all our children were safe in the NAC vans orambulettes. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped to create a wonderful NAC Holiday Party.

NAC Holiday Party photography Josh Maready


We are pleased to report recent grants from New Yorkers For Children and

the Bodman Foundation for our One Step Forward (OSF) program. OSF offers

an array of activities that address the needs of medically fragile teens and young

adults and their siblings (ages 14 and over) as they progress toward the individual

adult potential that each young person holds. The needs of these young people

are often complex and can include their medical and/or mental health diagnoses,

a troubled family history, and poverty. The OSF activities are highly individualized,

and may include a mentoring partner, career development workshops, or college

preparation (NAC has assisted more than 40 teens in attending college). For other

clients, there is counseling for assisted living and other transitional services.

Parents and other adults who will remain in these young adults’ lives are always

included in the planning of OSF activities. The New Yorkers For Children grant

supports OSF services for young people who have experienced foster care, and

the Bodman Foundation grant supports this program in serving teens and young

adults who are enrolled in NAC’s Preventive Services or Partners In Parenting

Program. Because of this comprehensive support, more than 150 NAC clients

will take One Step Forward toward adulthood in the coming year.

Gra

nts A T W O R K

NA

C’s 2 6 t h A N N I V E R S A R Y G A L A

NAC is pleased to acknowledge the following corporations and foundations

that have made grants to us since September 2008:

Harry S. Black & Allon Fuller Fund, Bodman Foundation, Florence V. Burden Foundation, J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation, Credit Suisse Americas Foundation, DaPuzzo Family Foundation, Richard Greenbaum Fund, Helen Hoffritz Charitable Trust,Independence Community Foundation, the Inner Circle, New YorkMercantile Exchange Charitable Foundation, New Yorkers ForChildren, Noble Charitable Trust, nycTIES (underwriting of HolidayParty), Penny Harvest at Thomas A. Edison High School, RonaldMcDonald House Charities Global, Taproot Foundation, and UnitedWay’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program.

We acknowledge funding from the Manhattan Borough President’sOffice, the NYC Council and Speaker’s Initiative Fund, and the NYSDevelopmental Disabilities Planning Council.

The following organizations donated Holiday gifts for NAC children and

families: The Today Show Gift Drive, NY Cares Winter WishesProgram, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Bertelsmann,Inc., Disney/ESPN, the Estée Lauder Companies, K.I.D.S., Zoo York,Vineyard Vines, Skadden Arps, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, and ConceptOne Accessories. We also received donations from the grandchildren ofMonica Redmond McFeely. NAC has received other in-kind donations from

Bloomberg, Knitwits, the Robin Hood Foundation, and New YorkersFor Children.

Tha

nk Y

ou

D O N O R S

NAC held its annual Gala Benefit on October 30 at 583 Park Avenue in New

York City. The Gala was attended by 550 guests and helped to raise $1 million

for the agency. NAC was proud to honor Glenn Britt, President & CEO of Time

Warner Cable, with a NAC Promise Award in recognition of his commitment

to fulfilling the promise of a better future for medically fragile children and their

families. We thank Glenn as well as Dinner Co-Chairs Josh Sapan, President

& CEO of Rainbow Media, and David Zaslav, President & CEO of Discovery

Communications, for helping to make NAC’s Gala such a huge success.

O P E N I N G D O O R S P A G E 6O P E N I N G D O O R S P A G E 5

Above: New York City Councilman DavidWeprin honors NAC with a Proclamationfrom the City of New York.

Below: Nine teen volunteers from NewYorkers For Children assisted with activitiesat the Holiday Party. Some served as backupsingers for NAC performers.


Documents

Opening Doors Vol 2 Issue 2