|
Prism Awards
Recognize Karen Williams
Rainbow Days is proud to announce that our own Karen Williams, Director of Special Projects, was honored last week at the Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas Annual Prism Awards Ceremony with the Lightner Sams Foundation Children's Advocate Award. This award recognizes outstanding and exemplary dedication and service to the mental health needs of children and adolescents. As a recipient, Karen's brilliance, expertise, creativity and passion for children's mental health was recognized. Karen has had a lasting impact that can be traced through over four decades of curriculum development, research, advocacy, writing, and training. Congratulations Karen on being recognized for the incredible children's champion and advocate that you are! We are so proud!
|
|
Principal for a Day
a word from our CEO
On October 9th I had the wonderful opportunity to serve as "Principal For A Day" through Dallas ISD and the Dallas Regional Chamber. I was assigned to Nancy Moseley Elementary School, one of Rainbow Days' sites for many years. The Principal, Alejandro Fernandez, and his staff, including a longtime friend Counselor Cheryl Rosen, graciously welcomed me and exposed me to the variety of activities that can fill a Principal's day. I was impressed by the academic instruction I observed from caring and committed teachers. I gained a greater appreciation for the Principal's role as an administrator and as an instructional coach. One of my favorite moments was reading to a class of 2nd graders. All the children were eager to learn and took pride in their school. The day culminated with a reception hosted by the Dallas Regional Chamber where I met Mike Miles, Dallas ISD Superintendent and heard him articulate the district's Destination 2020 Goals and key actions they are taking to achieve these goals. I am grateful for this opportunity to observe firsthand the challenges our educators face and left the experience feeling confident that the Dallas schools are on the right trajectory to meet the multiple needs of our community's children. Rainbow Days is proud to partner with Dallas ISD!
 | |
Cathey with Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles
|
|
|
|
Thank you Naaman Forest High School
 Special thanks and our extreme gratitude to Rachel's Challenge Club and Lutitia Featherston at Naaman Forest High School in Garland for sharing such extraordinary experiences with the children and families we serve. NFHS - RC hosted and sponsored several groups of children and families from Housing Crisis, Family Gateway Transitional, New Beginnings and Nexus to the jaw-dropping wonderment of Cirque du Soleil - Kooza and a phenomenal daytime outing to Campisi's and Nordstrom's Rack where the children created their own pizzas and enjoyed an unforgettable shopping spree. Andre Harrington (age 13) & his Mom Taylor described the evening as "AWESOME!" and April Quick, (Mother of Anais 15, Andria 13, Angelique 10 and Andrew 8) remarked "You made a family's hearts and eyes glisten It was a super night. We can't say thank you enough!" Thank you Naaman Forest High School - Rachel's Challenge Organization for these spectacular opportunities!
|
| Red Ribbon Week Tip: Family Dinner
As we celebrate Red Ribbon Week across our Nation's Schools, remember the importance of a simple action you can take each day to protect your children and help them stay drug-free: the Family Dinner! CASAColumbia released The Importance of Family Dinners VIII, which found that teens who have frequent family dinners (five to seven per week) are more likely to report having excellent relationships with their parents, and that teens who have excellent relationships with their parents are less likely to have used marijuana, alcohol or tobacco.
The CASAColumbia White Paper found that compared to teens who have frequent family dinners, those who have infrequent family dinners are:
- almost three times likelier to say, "it's okay for teens my age to use marijuana;"
- three and a half times likelier to say, "it's okay for teens my age to get drunk;" and
- twice as likely to say that they expect to try drugs (including marijuana and prescription drugs without a prescription to get high) in the future.
So remember, Family Dinner is key! The more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs. Happy Dining Together!
Read the full press release. |
|
|
Saturday with Santa
 Believe it or not Santa Claus is coming sooner than you think! Saturday with Santa will be held at Eastfield College on Saturday, December 1st. The Harvesters Performing Arts Society will host and perform "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory." Volunteers are needed, however, PLEASE be aware there will be limited adult volunteer opportunity spaces and equally limited youth volunteer spaces. A 6 hour commitment is required and a MANDATORY event orientation will be held at Eastfield on Saturday, November 18th from 10:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. All volunteer assignments will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Mandatory Volunteer Application. Please contact Mitzi White, Volunteer Coordinator with any questions. Or call her at 214.217.3831.
|
Elizabeth Toon Charities  Rainbow Days is honored to be a 2013 beneficiary of Elizabeth Toon Charities (ETC). ETC's $20,000 grant will greatly benefit children served through the Family Connection Program. Elizabeth Toon Charities is a Christian-based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving children and their families in need throughout North Texas. The organization is inspired by the faith, hope and love of Elizabeth Toon. Rainbow Days feels privileged to help further ETC's mission and honor the memory of Elizabeth by helping to work with children most in need in our community. |
Global Village Market
Saturday & Sunday November 3-4, 2012
 Special Thanks to Greenland Hills United Methodist Church for inviting Rainbow Days to participate in their 6th Annual Global Village Market. The event is "a two-day event that brings together charitable organizations and fair-trade retailers to offer a unique shopping experience. All purchases will be accompanied by an attractive Global Village Market card and in the case of charitable gifts, a card insert that describes the impact of your contribution." Please stop by, enjoy the food, sights and sounds, visit the Rainbow Days booth, select from one of our gift items and support the various charities and local/global artist at the event. For additional details please click here.
|
|
Auxiliary Guild Kick Off
Save the Date
Rainbow Days is thrilled to announce the launch of a new outreach arm of Rainbow Days - the Auxiliary! The Auxiliary will exist to promote and support the mission of Rainbow Days through membership, advocacy, fundraising and volunteer activities. We will be kicking off the Auxiliary with a happy hour at Mattito's Uptown on Thursday, November 8 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Please RSVP by contacting Emily Candee. Free appetizers, drinks and fun with friends - you won't want to miss out! Please join us and bring a friend!
|
|
