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News Update

Spring 2013

Assemblywoman Huttle visits YCS School

Students return to their home school 5 months after

Hurricane Sandy, but there is still much work to be done

Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle at GW School

Before taking a tour of the damaged gym at YCS Geroge Washington School, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, from Legislative District 37, met with YCS President Richard Mingoia, several Trustees and school administrators to discuss the hav
oc caused by Hurricane Sandy and the subsequent closing of the school for five months. "It's tough for the children because our gym also serves as their lunchroom and activity center," says John Cerniglia, principal.

                                            
Ass. Valerie Huttle & Record reporter Hannan Adely

Assemblywoman Huttle talks with Record reporter Hannan Adely in the damaged gym.

Click to read  Bergen Record article

 

 

The Todd Ouida Children's Foundation
 ensures the continuation of Baby Steps

 

Herb and Andrea Ouida, founders of the Todd Ouida Children's Fdn., have pledged their support to fund the YCS Baby Steps Program for new mothers and their babies for the next four years. This cost-free program serves at-risk mothers in infant, toddler, teen and pregnancy groups. They participate in parent-child developmental playgroups and meet individually with a psychotherapist who provides dyadic therapy. Baby Steps relies completely on private funding.

 

Baby Steps is a program of the YCS Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health. The Ouidas have been devoted supporters of the Institute for a decade. The Todd Ouida Foundation, which is committed to supporting children's mental health, was founded in the name of their son who perished in the World Trade Center attack on 9/11.


Sony President gets acquainted with the children 
at Holley Center Game Night

Sony President visits Holley Center

The children at the YCS Holley Center always look forward to their monthly visits from Sony volunteers. They share an evening meal and play board games or do arts and crafts together.  It has become a tradition that was initiated by Sony employees in Park Ridge more than a decade ago and is still going strong.  L
ast December, when YCS Trustee Beth Barone spoke to Phil Molyneux, the electronics company's President & COO, about Game Night, he added it to his agenda for his next visit to New Jersey in April. 
Phil Molyneux and child
Mr. Molyneux and several national Sony executives joined about a dozen Sony-NJ volunteers on April 17th for Game Night
            
"It was truly a heart-moving experience," said Mr. Molyneux. "The kids are so full of life - their energy is infectious and humbling all at the same time. I'm extremely proud of the work our Sony team members do for these kids and for the organization as a whole."

 


What Our Children Want You to Know

Presented by two girls at a Family FUN Day

 

This is a day for all parents. Showing you guys that change can really happen. That Hope is still here. Showing you all, that the love we have for you is still there in our hearts.    

 

Changes in You and I

 

We've fought and cried

And yelled and hid

We had no choice

But to try

To make some sense

Out of each other's mind

You felt like giving up

And felt like it was all your fault

We hated you

And wished some stupid things

But in the long-run

We've learned that no other

Could ever take your place

Cause the love you've given us

Is just too real

Love

Is the word

For both you and I

After all these years

We've finally made it

Finally made it work

After all these tears we've cried

After all these days and years

We've finally made a difference in us

And learned to understand

Each other's state of mind

Changes in you and I

Is the most beautiful

Gift that has ever happened to me before

 

Written by

Nelsally Delgado & Tiarra Edwards


 

 

 

 

 

Our annual newsletter
 has just been released
annual newsletter cover
             Two New Programs  
  Now Open to the Public

 

First-time Moms-to-Be can now apply for the free services of the YCS Nurse Family Partnership Program in Morris County.  A nurse will guide moms through their pregnancies and continue support until their child's second birthday.  
               ~~~~~~~~~~
Hudson County parents of young children who are seeking guidance and support with parenting issues, can now apply to the YCS Parents as Teachers (PAT) in-home program.

For more information on either program, please call 973-854-3651 
or e-mail [email protected] 
 

 DDD approves plan to open a new home in Middlesex County

 

The Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) will select four individuals, 21 years of age or older, to be placed in a new home in Middlesex County that will be staffed and maintained by Our House Inc. and YCS.  This joint project of the YCS Alliance is expected to open in November of 2013.

 

Delta Dental supports YCS' plan 
 to open a pediatric Dental Clinic  
YCS Nurse

 

Delta Dental of NJ Foundation has given YCS a grant to help fund a pediatric dental clinic in East Orange that will serve the children in the care of YCS. "Our goal is to create a 'health home' for our children with an integrated program that encompasses social, medical and dental needs," says YCS President Richard Mingoia. The proposed clinic will employ a part time dentist, two pediatricians and two nurse practitioners. It is scheduled to open by the end of the year.  

Upcoming Events

Casino Night a la Cinco de Mayo
Saturday, May 4th
Tenafly

Blossoms Art Exhibit & Performance
Saturday, May 25th
Englewood

Fore the Kids Golf Outing
Monday, June 17th
Scotch Plains

Quest for the Cup
Youth Sporting Event
Paterson
July 16, 17, 18

Visit our website for details


Have you ever considered becoming a specialized 
 foster parent?

Foster Care Ad  
YCS logo
Each year, YCS gives hope to more than 4,000 children, birth - 25 years of age, in its safe havens, healing homes, foster care, special education schools, autism learning centers and community-based programs. In 2010, YCS began providing in-home and residential care for children, teens and young adults with developmental disabilities and co-occurring challenging behaviors.