Time is running out...If you haven't registered, get with it before it's too late!!!
The 3rd Annual Family Voice and Choice Conference: "Moving Toward Shared Decisions and Mutual Responsibility", set for Friday, November 15th from 9:15 AM- 4:15 PM at the Best Western Hotel in Marlborough, MA. Is just around the corner!
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REAL STORIES
Barbara's Story....... and a "shout-out" to her Family Partner!
Even when there is a "team" to help you , it can be hard to manage when you don't feel like a full member. Many parents tell us that a big turnaround only happens when a trusted friend and peer is there to help them find their voice. This recent letter from Barbara illustrates how important this can be...
Click here to read Barbara's story.  |
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"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them"
John Fitzgerald Kennedy | |
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We believe in our mission of "supporting family success in every community" and hope you do too.
Please consider helping us advance our mission by making a charitable contribution to Family Continuity today.
View our donation options here.
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Greetings from the CEO,
This week, we've had a heck of a time at Family Continuity. A power outage and the surge that followed, knocked out a server and resulted in the loss of a lot of capacity, including e-mail throughout the agency. As they say, OMG! The whole agency is at a standstill, with staff unable to document services, set up appointments and communicate with clients in the manner in which we had become accustomed. Quickly we have been reminded how much we have come in recent years, to rely on technology and instant communication.
The message here is not to complain, but rather to recognize that the silver lining to inconvenience and frustrated staff members is that a lot more phone calls are being made, face to face meetings held, and actual conversations taking place that would otherwise have been left to e-communication. It is a slower process, for sure, but a more human and humanizing one, and one that almost always leads to clearer messages and stronger relationships.
By the time you read this, everything will be back up and running. I just hope we remember that quicker is not always better. Making time to talk, joke, or simply explain goes a long way toward cementing relationships
By the way, if you are looking for me, I'd prefer that you pick up a phone and give me a call sometime.
Sincerely, 
Earl "Skip" Stuck |
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Family Corner
Time, Time, Time...
How often have we all lamented that there is not enough time in the day? We get busy, put off things that we should attend to, only to realize that once time is gone, we can't get it back. So you didn't have time to watch that TV program, or play a round of golf, it is no big deal. Where it is a BIG DEAL is when we allow things to get in the way of our time with family, with our kids and loved ones. As every birthday passes, the years seem to be streaking by at warp speed. 5-month-olds become 5-year-olds in the blink of an eye, and then 15-year-olds. This inexorable march of time that turns babies into big kids is the "other" biological clock facing parents. Every day brings new growth, new milestones, and new wonderment, but the challenges of juggling our adult lives often prevent us from fully appreciating the delicate nuances of childhood.
Without MAKING time for family, kids not only grow up, we all grow apart. We have to make time if we want to grow together as families. But what's the trick to doing it? If you can't stop what you're doing to take the time, experts tell us to get creative about finding ways to include our kids in our work, our chores, recreation, and leisure activities. Don't stop what you're doing, don't think you have to entertain your kids, just show them how important they are by including them. They will develop a sense of usefulness, of mutual support, belonging and confidence that kids who are not included in every part of family life will never know.
For some ideas about how you might incorporate more of this "shared" time into your family,
here are some hints care of Parents Magazine... How To Spend More Quality Time With Your Child - Parents.com |
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News
Workers Safety Training Grant Renewed!
This week, Family Continuity received word from the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents that its proposal for funding to provide worker safety training was approved for the third straight year! Over its first two years, the funding has allowed us to train over 1,100 professionals and volunteers, from more than 50 Massachusetts human service agencies.
Click here for more information or if you're interesting in participating! |
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Highlights
High Five 5k Results Are In!!
Family Continuity's second annual fundraiser road race, the High Five 5k was held on Saturday, October 5th on Town Neck in Sandwich, with proceeds going to benefit our Family Support Fund. Saturday, the weather did not look promising, having just stopped raining at the race start, but nonetheless the race kicked off at 9:30am with over registered runners, and a large group of friends and family members there to cheer everyone on. As if scripted, the sun came out ant the run/walk ended in a terrific early fall morning. This year's event netted almost $3,000 for the Family Support Fund.
Once again, it was a thoroughly enjoyable event with great participation, wonderful sponsors, and a high spirited group of participants, volunteers and family and friend well-wishers.
We want to thank everyone involved,
Our race organizers, Eric Soderstrom and former staff colleague Neil Bohlin, and the rest of the "Mullet Marathon" who were amazing, seeing to every detail, and making sure that the day had a very positive, family friendly and upbeat vibe.
· Our volunteers, Including Mary Lou Shewchuk, Kathleen Englehardt, Amanda Winn, Skip Stuck and Matt and Kate Croteau, the who handled our medical support.
· The runners, especially staff members: Laure Bleakney and her daughter Leah, Mary Eddy, Michelle Goodwin, Martha Lesuer, Andrew Loy, Craig Maxim, and Sarah Nulty.
· The sponsors, Cape Tunes, Cisco Brewers, the Cape Cod Times, Glee Gum, Honest Organic, Unreal Candy, and the Bayside Runner, as well as Stop and Shop, Shaw's, Trader Joe's, the Sports Authority, and BJ's who donated gift cards. Most especially, our host for the second year, Hemisphere's Restaurant
· And, all of the friends and families who came out to enjoy the day.
We hope to see everyone again next year to make our third annual High Five 5K just as successful.
For a complete list of runners, race results, sponsors, photos, and a video of the event go to the Mullet Marathons website at www.highfive5k.com. Also, click on the Cape Cod Times website to see their coverage and photos.
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Holiday Appeal: Family Support Fund
Be A Holiday Hero - Support a family in need in your community
It may be early, but it's not too early to catch the SPIRIT of the season! Family Continuity assists thousands of individuals and families year- round with carious crises that threaten their stability. For many of these individuals and families the holiday season is often the roughest season of the year, emotionally and financially. The Family Support Fund is supported only by the contributions of caring people like you.
Please consider stepping up to become a Holiday Hero to bring a bit of good cheer and joy to an individual or family in need. Monetary donations are always accepted but other items such as movie, store, or restaurant gift cards as well as certificates for music, karate or dance lessons can provide a family with a great memory making experience.
Donations can be mailed to the address below. Please feel free to indicate (if you have a preference) which program or hub office- Hyannis, Lawrence, Peabody, Plymouth or Whitinsville you'd like your donation to be forwarded to:
Family Continuity
60 Perseverance Way, 2nd FL
Hyannis, MA 02601
ATTN: Fund Development Office
Or call 866-219-3320 for additional information
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