YCS

         E-News: Autumn Events & Accomplishments

October 28,  2009 
Upcoming Events

Festival of Flavors
 Wine  &  Food Event
Mon.,  November 2nd

Only 5 more days to purchase your tickets

 Ticket information 

Festival Updates on
YCS Foundation Facebook page

This is another way to invite friends to this important fundraiser
News Alert

NJ's unemployment rate has risen 9.8 percent, putting more  families at risk of  falling into poverty.  According to research, children in these families are in greater danger of experiencing neglect and abuse.  They are also more likely to have health, behavioral and emotional problems. A news alert put out by the ACNJ states that the negative effects are particularly pronounced for young children .

With your support, we can help these children in our Therapeutic Learning Center and Nurseries and Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health.
Annual Meeting
filled with appreciation and thanks

In the state of the agency address, President Richard Mingoia thanked the 200 guests for sticking with YCS during a time of economic decline and assured eveyone that better times were ahead.  "This year, we were able to stabilize the financial health of our organization and embarked on a number of new community projects and programs, because of your generous support and our committed staff."

                                            .
Trustee Ellen  Jaellen jacobscobs received a standing ovation as she was honored with the Virginia Harkness Sawtelle Award for Outstanding Volunteer. "Ellen has worked tirelessly both behind the scenes and on the front lines - enlisting anyone who might help the children in some way...She is an advocate without equal," said Mingoia.


After viewing a News 12 clip featuring Darnell's Darnell Jackson
H'Olympic record breaking high jump of 6' 5," Darnell stepped to the podium. He thanked YCS for  the opportunity to participate in the games and then introduced his foster mom, Miriam
Sloan El.  "For a long time, I have wished for a family. On September 16th, that wish came true and it feels better than any Olympic medal,"
said Darnell.


Eighteen ellen jacobsyear old Guido told the guests that he had a lot to be thankful for this past year.  "I was valedictorian of my high school graduating class at YCS Fort Lee Education Center and winner of Blossoms Art scholarship for my poetry."

Guido has used the funds to enroll in a writing course at Passaic County Community College. He is also one of the first teens from a YCS residence to be selected for a work mentorship program, and now works at the Holley Center.  Guido expressed thanks to all those at YCS who have helped him and gave him hope for his future ambition to become a minister.

     The meetiDominick D'Agosta & Joan Hickeyng concluded with new board appointments.  Dominick D' Agosta was named chair of  YCS Systems. Inc. and Joan Hickey chair of the Foundation Board.  Sharon Rosen, Nancy Dweck, Bernie Koster and Fran Einiger were named trustees of the Foundation Board.


Mary Jo Codey honored at Institute Conference

Senator Weinberg & Mary Jo Codey The YCS Institute honored the former acting first lady of New Jersey Mary Jo Cody with the Thea Bry Award for her commitment to the emotional development/well being of young children and their families, at the 7th Annual YCS Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health Conference in Eatontown.

Special guest Senator Loretta Weinberg (right) then presented Ms. Codey with a Congressional Proclamation that cited her work on behalf of new mothers with postpartum depression (PPD).  The Senator praised Ms. Codey for her efforts to secure passage of the groundbreaking legislation:  Postpartum Depression Screening and Education Law and her work on behalf of breast cancer survivors.

At the day-long conference, Dr. Roseanne Clark addressed more than 200 health professionals on the subject of infant mental health and PPD.
 Dr. Gerard Costa presented keynote address:
 What Science is Telling Us about the Treatment of
Autistic Spectrum Disorders
at MSU Early Childhood Autism Institute Conference.

Dr. Costa, director of the YCS Institute of Infant and Preschool Mental Health, reviewed the growing body of scientific findings about the brains of children with autism compared to those without the disorder, as well as the emerging body of literature about the sensory and movement problems that underlay the difficulties in social relationships and communication for those with autism. Speaking before 200 professionals at Montclair State University,  Dr. Costa stated that the future of therapeutic and educational interventions must respond to scientific findings about the brain and nervous system core differences that underlay the behavioral and developmental manifestation of the autism spectrum disorder.