April 23, 2012 - Purchase College President Thomas J. Schwarz and the Honorable Kathie E. Davidson, Supervising Judge of the Family Courts for the Ninth Judicial District hosted the Westchester County screening of "Children of Promise: The Legacy of Robert F. Kennedy" at the Performing Arts Center on the Purchase Campus.  

Joining the event for a panel discussion following the screening were former RFK Children’s’ Action Corps clients featured in the documentary, Bianca, Brian and Ulises, as well President & CEO, Ed Kelley, and Nichelle Sadler and Kevin Bunnell RFK staff members who are instrumental in helping Bianca and Ulises reach their goals. Kimberley Ferdinando and Meagan Redman, the team from NBC Peacock Productions who helped make the documentary come to life also participated in the discussion.

The Q&A panel discussion ranged from personal questions geared toward Bianca, Ulises and Brian as well as questions and remarks regarding the child welfare and juvenile justice systems in both Massachusetts and New York.  Commissioners across Westchester County Department of Social Services and Probation spoke to the audience about the importance of education and the need to integrate systems change for the benefit of the child.  The audience was visibly touched by the documentary and the panel prompting one Purchase student to bravely address the audience with her story of abuse and involvement with the court system and thanking them for bringing this critical issue to light.

Following the screening, the audience and panelists congregated for a reception hosted by Purchase College.  Professors, students, local child welfare and juvenile justice workers gravitated toward Bianca, Brian and Ulises to usher words of gratitude for their strength in sharing their stories and offering words of accomplishment and good luck.  A young woman in foster care at Family Services of Westchester, Tabitha, shared how the documentary inspired her and that she plans to graduate high school and go on to become a lawyer so she can help others, “I want to be like Brian Hancock,” she said.  

The Westchester County screening came to fruition after Judge Davidson saw the documentary on ID Investigation Discovery when it aired in May of 2011.  The Judge was compelled to learn more about the agency and how its programs could help youth in New York.  After meeting with staff from the agency, she offered the opportunity to engage SUNY Purchase College and join efforts in promoting the message of the documentary, “that when you convince children that they can live a better life – they can become the architect of their own success.”

To view a ten minute clip of the documentary that follows three former youth served by the Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps on their courageous journeys from despair to inspiration, click here (YouTube).

April 10, 2012 - Lancaster Welcomes Community Readers

Every April our Lancaster School opens its doors for Community Reading Day! This program is a one day school-wide celebration of literacy. Reading is a vital tool used in our programs - we have seen boys and girls increase their reading level by at least two levels in six months. This year students and teachers welcomed, Bolton Police Chief Vincent Alfanzo, Dan St. Jean, Eileen Kelly, Rick Loughlin and Ellen McGovern. 

Community Reading Day is part of National Read Across America, an initiative aimed at celebrating the importance of reading both inside and outside the classroom. As part of the initiative, the staff and kids at the Lancaster School invite members of the community to read to students and share the valuable role reading has played in their lives. The conversations varied depending on the reader and the classroom, but in every case students learned not only how literacy helps individuals, but also how it positively impacts entire communities.

We are thankful for our Community Readers for taking time to celebrate literacy with us (check out what they read below).  Visit our Facebook photo album to see photos from the day .

• 2012 Embracing the Legacy honoree, Rick Loughlin, reads Dr. Seuss' "Oh the Places You'lll Go."
• Bolton Police Chief, Vincent Alfanzo, participated in his "blues" reading "The Last Mall Rat" by Erik Esckilsen.
• Ride for Kids participant and friend of the agency,Dan St. Jean, from New York Life-Eagle Strategies read "Scat" by Carl Hiaasen to a group of young men.
• Veteran Community Reader, Ellen McGovern from Clinton Savings Bank, read "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen.
• Embracing the Legacy and Ride for Kids Committee memeber, Eileen Kelly came out for the day and read the third book in the Hunger Game series, "Mocking Jay" by Suzanne Collins - now she can't wait to see the movie!

April 4, 2012 - Visit from local radio station and Spring Baskets Brighten the Week at Rotenberg

Last week the girls at our Fay A. Rotenberg School welcomed DJ Melissa from Jamin’ 94.5 as part of the 30th Anniversary Speaker Series. They were so excited for her visit they could barely sit in their seats.  

The group sat in a large circle and talked about a variety of topics.  Melissa shared with the group how she became a DJ (through hard work interning at the station – she said if it wasn’t for her constant work ethic and showing up every day offering to help in any capacity, she would not be where she is today). The girls inspired by her journey asked if there were any internships open so they could follow in her footsteps. 

Melissa also talked with the girls about her volunteer work coaching, participating on a dance team, and the girls favorite topic - celebrity gossip! The girls were so exited to hear all of Melissa's stories and even received Jamin 94.5 t shirts. 

March 27, 2012 - PeaceLove Brings Peace of Mind to Lancaster