May 4, 2015

2015 Family of The Year 

Written by Brian Doyle, Chief Executive Officer 

   
 The recent Family of the Year Event was a terrific success, and for all the right reasons.

As our biggest fundraiser for the year, we were ecstatic that the event raised far more than expected - in large part due to the respect and affection so many in this community have for both the Seaman Family and the Austin Family. 

 
These two families are paragons of civic engagement, accomplishment and contribution. Everyone who attended the event were both happy to honor these great "citizen families," and so very impressed by the grace and humility displayed in their acceptance remarks.


And then there was the remarkable story of just how the staff of Family Services, every day make a huge difference in the lives of families and individuals in this community. Told through the eyes of the Green family,

2015 Family of the Year Awards Client Story
2015 Family of the Year Awards Client Story

we learned of just how important Family Services' programs such as the Crime Victims Assistance Program, Trauma Counseling, our Teen Resource Center, and Elementary School After School Program are - touching lives in ways beyond what anyone might imagine.

We thank all of those who helped to make this a wonderfully successful evening - those who attended, our many faithful sponsors, our partners in government, our Board, the Event Committee, hardworking staff, the Green, Seaman and Austin families! We are fortunate to live and work in such a rich and giving community - this Hudson Valley!

Partner Highlight

She is "For Our Youth, For Our Future"

 

Marist Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) is a New York State Education Department grant funded program that is sponsored by Marist College. Marist LPP has been providing FREE pre-collegiate and drop-out prevention programs as well as services to students (grades 9-12) in the Kingston and Poughkeepsie City School Districts since 1990. Marist LPP's goal is to prepare students for exemplary graduation rates in high school. In addition, Marist LPP prepares students for college and/or the workforce. The Marist LPP staff is committed to the academic success, emotional growth, and character development of the youth because "our youth are our future." One Marist LPP staff member, Charnikia Pinesett, was recently recognized for her exemplary work with the youth.

 

Charnikia Pinesett won the 2015 New York State LPP Exemplary Staff Award at the Empire Promise Youth Summit in April. She is the Marist LPP Kingston City School District Site Coordinator. Charnikia began working at Marist LPP in March 2014.  She is responsible for 120 high school students.  Charnikia provides her students with academic advising, counseling, tutoring, and Common Core instruction. She engages her students by providing them with interactive lessons. She typically sings during instruction and entertains her students with hip-hop kickboxing classes. Charnikia believes that her purpose in life is to help young people succeed.

 

Charnikia is a woman of faith. Every day, she comes to work trying to accomplish her mission of helping the youth be successful in life. She works late hours to complete paperwork and respond to some of her students' emergencies. She always seeks ways to grow personally and professionally. She is a passionate woman and is making a difference in her students' lives. Charnikia is a wonderful asset to the Marist LPP staff.

 

*For more information about Marist LPP and/or Charnikia Pinesett, please call Melinda E. Mart�nez (Marist LPP Director) at 845-454-4199. Melinda can also be reached via email at [email protected].

Staff & Volunteers

Family Services staff wear denim for Denim Day 



Recent Events

The Institute's Dutchess County Healthy Families Program Threw a Baby Shower!

Poughkeepsie, NY (April 30, 2015) -  The Institute's Dutchess County Healthy Families program teamed up with Hudson Health Plan and MVP Health Care to coordinate a "Community Baby Shower" for expecting parents and new families. The event was held at the Family Partnership Centerlocated at 29 North Hamilton Street in Poughkeepsie, NY on April 30th from 11:00AM to 2:00PM. 

In its sixth year, the community baby shower provided families the opportunity to receive baby items and learn about local agencies that may help them, such as the Healthy Families Program. Participants socialized with other expectant families and made new friends. Information was provided on different topics through "mother circles" such as, labor, delivery and breastfeeding.  It gave the moms - and dads - the opportunity to not only learn, but participate in the discussion and share their unique experiences with the other families.

"I've been participating in the Community Baby Showers for the past 6 years, and I have to say it is always a great event!  Families have a lot of fun, learn new information and win great prizes!," said Lorena Lopez, a Family Support Worker with Dutchess County Healthy Families.

The Community Baby Shower took place in conjunction with the Office of Children and Family Services' 20th anniversary celebration of Healthy Families New York. The evidence-based home visiting program focuses on the safety of children by supporting families in high-risk communities.

 

 

Forty under 40 Honorees for 2015


Crime Victims Assistance Program No More Event 
On April 16th, Family Services proudly showcased the words of survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence along with community members of all ages at the NO MORE Photography Show and Awards Ceremony. The photographs highlighted the NO MORE campaign which is an awareness campaign for domestic violence and sexual assault.  Awards were presented that honored figures in the community who have devoted an enormous amount of personal and professional attention to the cause of preventing and responding to violent crimes. This year's honorees were Judy Lombardi, formerly of Grace Smith House  and Steven Borland, Adjunct Professor at Dutchess Community College.


In This Issue
By the Numbers: 317 in attendance at the 2015 Family of the Year Event 
Quick Links



Leadership Partner

Family Services' 2015 Leadership Partner
http://www.health-quest.org/


Upcoming Events
Your Invited!
Breaking the Cycle of Violence Presentation 
 Friday, June 5th 
5:00 PM 
Lateef Islam Auditorium
Family Partnership Center
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Walk A Mile in  Her Shoes
October 3, 2015
The Outdoor Park at All Sport Health & Fitness
For more information, please contact Pam Tarquinio at [email protected] or 845-452-1110 x 3116

Family Services' After School Program
"Kid's Corner"
"Samuel Roman, David Krainski and Nile Murray enjoy recreation time on the playground at Krieger elementary"

Our Leadership Team
Brian Doyle 
Chief Executive Officer 
[email protected]

Joan Crawford
Deputy Executive Director 
[email protected]

Natalie Borquist
Chief Financial Officer 
[email protected]

Sharon Doane
Director of Forensic Services and Crime Victims Assistance Program 
[email protected]
 
Leah Feldman
Director of Domestic Violence Services of Dutchess County 
[email protected]

Christopher Pels
Director of Human Resources and Risk Management
[email protected]
 
   
Our Partners
Born Again Disciples 
  
Community Voices Heard

 www.cvhactionheard.org  

 

Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County

 www.ccedutchess.org

 

Dutchess County Department of Health  

www.dutchess.gov 

 
Dutchess County Healthy Families

                 www.healthyfamiliesnewyork.org 

 

Dutchess Outreach 

 

Hudson River Community Health Care

 

Hudson River Housing -    
www.hudsonriverhousing.org

Hudson Valley Mental Health 
   

John Flowers Community Events

 

Marist Liberty Partnership Program

http://www.marist.edu/academics/l

ibertypartnerships/   

 

Mental Health America - Mel's Place


New Day Repertory Company, Inc.
  

Rodney Douglas: 845-485-7399 

 

Planned Parenthood


R.E.A.L.Skills Network, Inc.

www.realskillsnetwork.org


 

Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library


 

 Mid Hudson Regional Turning Point

http://www.sfhospital.org/alcohol-drug-dependency

  

Youth Mission Outreach

 
Family Services |  http://www.familyservicesny.org
Family Partnership Center
29 N. Hamilton St.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
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