We are excited to announce that we are an Early Adopter on The Giving Common which is an initiative of The Boston Foundation. The Giving Common is a free online resource for philanthropic activities.
"The more closely one looks at the cost and deployment of our crime prevention efforts, the more apparent it becomes that we have put too much responsibility at the end of the line, rather than at the beginning. Enforcement and correction can do only part of the job." - Robert F. Kennedy, 1963
Senator Kennedy's words above are still making ripples today. We are thrilled to announce that in June 2012, EOPSS (Executive Office of Public Safety and Security) awarded RFK an 18 month, $300,000+ grant to replicate our Detention Diversion Advocacy Project (DDAP) in the Springfield/Holyoke court system. We are excited for this new initiative and look forward to working with the young men and women and their families in Hampden County.
Since 2006, our DDAP program in the Dorchester juvenile court has experienced a 86% success rate over this 7 year period. We have begun the process of launching the program in the Springfield and Holyoke juvenile courts and are scheduled to be working with clients in early August. Read more about the recent progress of the expansion by clicking here.
"In Their Own Words"
Recently, a volunteer donated time and talent to create a powerful video capturing some of our children's thoughts on their transformations at our programs. Watch the video and click here to learn more about the featured students and what they have been up to this summer.
"In Their Own Voice"
(link to YouTube)
Help Bring Paint4Peace to RFK
RFK Children's Action Corps is excited to partner with PeaceLove to bring Paint4Peace™ workshops to at least 100 children served by the Agency. For every $20 Art Tee purchased between August 1 and August 10 one child at RFK Children's Action Corps has the opportunity to experience Paint4Peace™.
Click here to learn more about this exciting initiative and mark your calendar to purchase your Art Tee on August 1.
1 tee shirt = 1 workshop. It's that easy!
The National Crittenton Foundation Welcomes RFK to the Family
Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps became a family agency of the National Crittenton Foundation in June 2012. President & CEO, Ed Kelley said, "Our charge is to carry on Senator Kennedy's passion of reaching out and supporting the needs of marginalized people in our community, with a particular emphasis on youth. Our affiliation with The National Crittenton Foundation gives us increased collective strength to achieve this goal together." Read more about this new national partnership by clicking here.
Friends Gather to Celebrate 30 Years of Service to Young Women
The Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps' Fay A. Rotenberg School celebrated the program's 30 years of serving young women with a luncheon on June 21 at the facility in Westborough.
The nearly 100 degree heat did not deter 50 former colleagues and clients, old and new friends, volunteers and board members from coming out to enjoy the day. The celebration continues throughout 2012 with the monthly speaker series. Click here to read more and to see photos from the day. If you're interested in learning more about the speaker series and how you can get involved please contact lsikora@rfkchildren.org.
Our Supporters in Action
A Spotlight on: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda is well-known for creating a diverse lineup of innovative quality products. Since its establishment, Honda has also been committed to giving back to communities across the country including the boys and girls at the RFK Children's Action Corps.
(L-R, Board Members and Co-Chairs of Embracing the Legacy Awards Event, Michael Summersgill and Joe Kennedy, Board Member Steve Morikawa and President & CEO Ed Kelley)
With the leadership from Board Member, Steve Morikawa, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has generously served as the Presenting Sponsor of our Embracing the Legacy Awards Event for the past three years and in 2011 donated a Honda Pilot that was offered as a grand prize in an opportunity drawing that helped raise over $70,000 to support the youth in our programs.
In addition to their philanthropic support, Honda has directly impacted the lives of youth in our care through the National Youth Project Using Minibikes (NYPUM). Honda created the NYPUM Program in 1969 as an innovative way to engage at-risk or disadvantaged youth ages 10 to 17. Through learning safe riding practices and caring for the trail bike as well as the environment, youth participate in challenging and fun activities with peers and positive adult role models.
NYPUM is proof that minibikes can transform lives and have done so here at RFK Children's Action Corps for nearly 20 years. Thanks to American Honda Motor Co., Inc. the boys and girls in our programs have benefitted significantly from the experiences in this program and have even singled out NYPUM as a defining moment in their healing progress and personal growth.
Children Deserve Better.
Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps is a private non-profit licensed child welfare agency with approved private schools, foster care and adoption services. More than 800 children and families come to one of our 17 residential and community-based programs across the state each year. All that we do at RFK Children's Action Corps is based on the belief that every child deserves the chance to lead a happy, healthy and productive life.
