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Thank You!
In February, St. Cecilia's Parish held its annual Valentine's Day book drive to support RFK Children's Action Corps, collecting over 120 books for the boys and girls in our programs. Thank you for sharing your love of reading with the kids at RFK Children's Action Corps.
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Save the Date!April 4, 2013 Worcester State University April 10, 2013 Holyoke Community College May 13, 2013 Myopia Hunt Club South Hamilton, MA
June 12, 2013 JFK Presidential Library and Museum Boston, MA
September 28, 2013 Foxboro, MA |
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A Story of Loss and Renewal
In the fall of 2012, our Bright Futures Adoption Center  (BFAC) got a call from a prospective adoptive family. They were interested in learning more about adopting an infant or twins with Down's Syndrome. This is not the first time BFAC has received such a call, but this family's story was anything but typical. Several years ago, they decided as a family (mom, dad, and teenage son and daughter) to seek to provide foster care for children in need. They had first-hand experience with a family member with a disability and wanted to bring love and nurturance to a child with a disability.
 The family participated in the training necessary to prepare themselves and were just about to embark on the home study process when, in the fall of 2011, the family was struck by tragedy. Their teenage son was killed in an automobile accident. The family put their foster care plans on hold and grieved for their son. As they regrouped themselves and began to move forward with their lives, they returned to their desire to help children in need. They wanted to do this, not to replace their son, but to honor his memory and commitment to bringing joy to children in need. They decided to pursue adoption as a more permanent way of helping a child.
Continue reading here...
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Announcing
Kids' Art Display in Boston
We are excited to announce that RFK Children's Action Corps has been chosen to exhibit our boys and girls' artwork at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston this summer.
Between July and September, we will have the opportunity to recognize and highlight the talented artists in our programs. The youth in our programs are currently working hard to submit paintings, drawings, quilts, and other pieces to have on display. While art is a fun and educational way for the boys and girls to be creative, it is also an important component in the healing process at RFK. Art has many therapeutic benefits - it inspires, motivates, builds self-confidence and delivers a message of hope.
This is the second time we have been chosen to display artwork at the Courthouse. Stay tuned for more information and details in the coming months.
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Our Supporters in Action
A Spotlight on: Don Anastasia, Co-Chair Fairway for Kids Committee
In 2003, Don Anastasia was "retiring" from the RFK Children's Action Corps Board of Directors - he knew he still wanted to be involved, accepting a nomination to the Advisory Council, but what he didn't know was that 10 years later he would still be making a huge impact on the lives of the boys and girls in the Agency's programs.
An avid golfer himself (he and his wife Margaret take yearly golf trips together), Don learned that two other board members, George Hutt and Albert Ellis, were creating a golf tournament fundraiser for the Agency. He knew this was an area that he could be most helpful in due to many good friends in institutional investments, so he joined the Fairway for Kids Committee.
This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the event. Since its inception Fairway for Kids has raised over $1,000,000 thanks to Don's leadership. When asked why he is excited about this year Don said, "ten years of anything is a milestone, but for charity golf events that survived the late 2000's economy and coming back stronger than ever is a great testament to our sponsors. This will be a celebration - and we are so thankful for their continued support."
 Don encourages sponsors to learn something about the RFK Children's Action Corps, "you are already guaranteed a great day of golf at the Myopia Hunt Club, but you are doing more - you are helping kids at a critical time in their lives. You have the opportunity to help turn their lives around by playing golf - it doesn't get much better than that."
In 2007 Don was honored with the Agency's Commitment to Children Award and he has continued that commitment through today. We are so grateful to have champions like Don that go above and beyond for the children in our care.
Fairway for Kids golf tournament is being held on Monday, May 13 at the Myopia Hunt Club. Sponsorships are still available, click here to learn more.
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2013 Embracing the Legacy Less Than 3 Months Away!
Please join us on Wednesday, June 12 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum as we celebrate the extraordinary work of this year's inspirational Embracing the Legacy honorees; Thomas (Tom) E. Coury, Judge Leslie Harris, Jeannette Pai-Espinosa, and Darrin Smith.
Each honoree is being recognized for their positive impact on the lives of children and families in their communities and their tireless work towards improving the welfare of the youth in our country. Their work and accomplishments are a true testament to Robert F. Kennedy's belief that lasting contributions to society are made by improving the lives of children and their families.
For more information about the event including additional background on the honorees, event details, ticket and sponsorship opportunities, click here. |
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Creating Educational Opportunities for Youth
Youth involved in the juvenile justice system often face significant obstacles to academic achievement; not only are they displaced from their school environment but they also face difficulties reentering school after their time in the system. Many youth within the juvenile justice system have educational disabilities that are either ignored or go unnoticed. These youth are at a greater risk for academic failure than their peers.
 In a nationwide effort to improve opportunities for youth in and leaving the juvenile justice facilities, RFK Children's Action Corps in partnership with Youth Advocacy Department, and several national groups including the Robert F. Kennedy Juvenile Justice Collaborative, came together recently to discuss education for youth in juvenile justice facilities and connection to employment and ongoing education after release. Similar listening sessions are being held across the country to dive deeper into the conversation as a way to improve cross-systems coordination and collaboration. Key issues, recommendations, and solutions are being pulled together in anticipation of a summit this Spring with the Department of Education and its federal partners. Support for the listening session was generously provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as part of the Models for Change program. |
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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 18 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.
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