Graham Windham's Spring - Summer 2011 Newsletter

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Volume Volume 39 39

The Graham Windham T HE G RAHAM W INDHAM

Spring/Summer Spring/Summer 2011 2011

Serving Children, Supporting Families, and Strengthening Communities Since 1806

We're On Our Way! College is calling for our young women and men...and they are answering the call with enthusiasm!

Story on Page 4 Anthony, who earned his associate's degree and is headed for Baruch College in the fall

Shakeyma, who is entering her second year at the New York Institute of Technology in the fall

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The Graham Windham Way

Helping Families Be the Solution

Prom Ready

President & CEO Poul

Introducing an innovative

Prom Couture Dress

Jensen on finding our way...

approach to healing

and helping kids find theirs

and strengthening families

girls in foster care!

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Page 3

Page 7

We held our first annual Boutique event for

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Graham Windham Way A message from Poul Jensen, GRAHAM WINDHAM PRESIDENT & CEO very unusual is happening Swell,omething at Graham Windham and it feels... extraordinary. What I'm alluding to

goes far beyond our professionalism and the processes, performance requirements and outcome targets imposed on us by our government funding sources. What I'm alluding to here is finding our own individual and collective souls, opening ourselves up to the blessings and risks associated with strong values, bold audacious goals and common cause as we work tenaciously to harness the full potential of Graham Windham in service of one over-arching and profoundly important purpose...to ensure that every Graham Windham child has a strong, loving and permanent family, and the opportunity and preparation to succeed in school and life.

I've been around child welfare for 46 years, having started out as a "houseparent" way back in the summer of 1965. I've worked in Connecticut, Louisiana, Georgia and New York. From time to time I get a call or a letter or an email from kids I worked with over the years. Their message is always the same... the pain of being separated from their families and their longing for "home", gratitude for staff who genuinely cared about them and overflowing appreciation and affection for those "special" staff who cared enough to hold them accountable when they misbehaved, and who believed in them enough to withhold permission to be defeated for having been dealt a bad hand. They tell me, repeatedly and unambiguously, that we need to operate our programs in the real world, not just the contrived, ultra synthetic world of highly regulated "therapeutic" service environments, and that we need to teach them how to succeed in the world as it truly is. That means goal setting and performance expectations that are realistic and in sync with the requirements of citizenship and the successful pursuit of happiness and general well-being. It also means not artificially defining their capacity, potential and humanity down, in the mistaken belief that "being therapeutic" requires that we lower the bar to spare them the stress and disappointments 2 THE GRAHAM WINDHAM RECORD

associated with the struggle for a better life. And, most critically, it means finding them "home"...a safe and nurturing family or, at the very least, a familiallike connection, that bestows sanctuary, unconditional love and permanency long after we've parted ways. Nobody wants to be alone in this world.

What we have done at Graham Windham is to take these inspired and aspiring values and imperatives, articulated so clearly and emphatically by the kids over the years, and organized them around a central or "organizing" narrative that allows us to mobilize our perceptions and activities in a manner that keeps us honest, focused and purposeful. It's our collective soul at work, so to speak. We call it The Graham Windham Way and it increasingly defines life here at Graham Windham. Glance to

"We are determined to succeed...we are determined to be the difference-maker." your right and you'll find an article about "finding home" and a new, practical, down-to-earth service model – SolutionBased Casework (SBC) – that works with families to help them understand what contributed to the negative behaviors that got them to the attention of the child welfare system in the first place, and to explore prevention strategies so that those negative behaviors are not repeated. It's about helping in a manner that enables a family to move from being a "client" of the child welfare system to being a viable, independent family...with all the rights, responsibilities, joys and expectations that go with parenthood, family life and full citizenship. SBC has been implemented throughout Graham Windham's three child welfare service divisions: Foster Care Prevention, Family Foster Homes and the Graham School.

It is a core element of The Graham Windham Way. Then, if you haven't already, check out the cover story, We're

On Our Way, and the related story, Making Up for Lost Time, and be inspired by kids who are overcoming major obstacles and real hardships, graduating from high school and going on to college. Next, turn to page 7 and the back cover and see kids being kids. No lost childhoods here, if we have anything to do with it.

And, finally, meet long-time Trustee (30 years!), Henry Carnage, who remains to this day resolute in his "old school" ways.

He's all for new ideas that work, mind you...but he cautions that there are no quick fixes. "We can't just give our kids a lollipop and a Band-Aid and send them home," he likes to say. "There's a lot of work that needs to be done." Amen.

The Graham Windham Way encompasses all of the above. It builds on listening, to our children and their families, and on best practices, including the Family Team Decision-Making Conference Model, and a highly strategic system of data-based performance oversight, including outcomes-focused, data-driven decision-making which extends to the Board level. It involves a total commitment – meaning staff, management, Trustees and supporters – and a sustained, disciplined effort to dramatically improve the outcomes for all the children and families we have the privilege of serving.

We need all the help we can get.

Excellence comes with a price tag.

If you believe as we do – that every Graham Windham child deserves a safe, loving and permanent family, and the opportunity and preparation to succeed in school and life – then I'm asking you to step to the plate with a helping hand.

We are determined to succeed. We are determined to be the difference-maker.

Thanks.

SPRING/SUMMER 2011

HOMECOMINGS A New Way of Bringing – and Keeping – Families Together Solution-Based Casework in Action

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magine you have seven children…and a lot of problems. You have been struggling to improve life for yourself and your kids for years. You also struggle with an addiction that only seems to worsen. People have offered you help – and you know you need it – but their assistance seems to just add more tasks and responsibilities to your already overburdened life…so you reject it.

You are overwhelmed, unable to meet all of the demands. Your children are not getting what they need…and then a day comes when all seven of your children are placed into foster care.

You are shocked and grieved. How can you get them back? Will you get them back? A caseworker comes to meet you, and you become angry and defensive. You expect him to tell you what’s wrong with your life and give you a list of things you need to change. But instead, your caseworker starts by asking you about your strengths…instead of telling you about your weaknesses.

He spends a lot of time listening to you. He wants to know the specific details of what happened before your kids were taken away. He asks you what changes you think you can make in order to be the parent you want to be…and provide a safe environment in which “I was alone against the world, with your children can thrive.

You now have a voice in planning your and your children’s future – a sense of purpose out of the chaos. Your caseworker challenges you to be your best, and while he is very honest about the significant consequences if you don’t make changes, he also genuinely believes that you can do it.

everyone telling me what I had to do to get my children back in my care.”

-Ms. Jones, before working through the solution-based casework process with our staff

This is the actual story of Ms. Jones and her children (not pictured, and name changed, to protect privacy)…and her recent experience with our new approach to working with families. This past January, we began to train staff in a model called “solution-based casework,” a highly effective approach to getting and keeping families on track toward stability and well-being.

Originally developed in Kentucky, solution-based casework has been proven in programs around the country to reduce the maltreatment of children. Thanks to friends like you who support us in both our ongoing work and our new initiatives, we are the first agency in New York City to implement it across all of our child welfare programs, and others are starting to join the effort. With this new model, we are making a great leap forward toward our aim of ensuring that every child we serve has a strong and loving – and permanent – family.

Before Ms. Jones took part in the solution-based casework process with our staff, she told us that she “was alone against the world, with everyone telling her what she had to do to get her children back in her care.” She felt powerless. She says that the turning point was when she learned that she would be the one to write her plan of action – that she had a say in what she could and would do to change. She then began to make significant progress. With the help of her counselor, Ms. Jones developed a plan to address her substance abuse, and with guidance from Graham Windham case planner Daniel Laverde and supervisor Antoinette Grant, she developed a plan for her family, to ensure that her children are safe and thriving. As she worked toward her individual and family goals, with the ultimate goal of bringing her children home, Ms. Jones made use of all of the supports at her disposal, from Mr. Laverde and Ms. Grant to our parent advocate, Peggy Gibbs, the children’s foster parents, and her own family members.

Ms. Jones’ journey was not – and is not – easy, but she is prevailing. She has learned new parenting techniques and kept sober, and in May, we celebrated her achievements with a ceremony and a certificate. She was thrilled to receive the recognition…but the real reward came when the court also recognized the positive changes she has made – and granted us the discretion to discharge her children from foster care! We are now working with Ms. Jones to bring her children home, undertaking the process with great care and ensuring continued support.

This mom of seven thanked our staff for always telling her the truth, no matter how hard it was to hear at times, and told us that her outlook on life has changed…she puts her children first now. With the help of solution-based casework, Ms. Jones has faced hard choices and made changes she needed to make...and her family is on the way to becoming whole again.

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THE GRAHAM WINDHAM RECORD 3

NEWSWORTHY We're On Our Way! Students in our foster care programs are making waves as they set out to achieve their dreams...from high school to college and beyond. Here are just a few of the great kids in our program who are headed for success!

Making the Leap: Our high school graduates are college bound!

Luis will be attending the University of Rochester in the fall and plans to major in either education or political science, with a minor in Japanese. He hopes to become a teacher. Luis was also awarded First Prize for an essay he wrote for Youth Communication, Inc. as part of their 13th Annual Awards for Youth in Foster Care!

(Another one of our young adults, who chose to remain anonymous, won Special First Prize!)

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David graduated from the Humanities Preparatory Academy and is headed to SUNY Binghamton this fall with a four-year scholarship!

Above, Cassie Magesis of the Goddard Riverside Community Center presents David with the Options Promise for the Future Scholarship for academic achievement and service to his school and community.

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Nayelly graduated as valedictorian of her high school class! She is headed to Brooklyn College this fall to study psychology and plans to become a therapist.

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"With my experience in foster care, I can make a difference."

-High School graduate Luis on his dream of becoming a teacher

On Track to Success: Our current college students hold fast to their dreams Shakeyma completed her first year at the New York Institute of Technology and is entering her second year there this fall. She plans to become an accountant or a math teacher. She is also a Graham Windham Scholar and was awarded the Poul Jensen Honorary College Scholarship this past year, along with fellow recipients Vanessa Bruce-Miller at Sullivan County Community College, Tatiana Cummings at Penn State Harrisburg, Anais Peguero at Stony Brook University, and Aboubacar Sylla at Tompkins Courtland Community College.

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Anthony completed his associate's degree at CUNY this year and will be heading to Baruch College this fall to work toward a degree in accounting. He also serves as President of the New Yorkers for Children Youth Advisory Board, a group of high school and college students advocating for youth in foster care in New York City.

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Ready for Launch: Our most recent college grad begins her career Christine has been working toward a degree in Hospitality and Tourism at SUNY Buffalo for the past four years...and just walked across the stage at her graduation ceremony this spring! A past recipient of the Poul Jensen Honorary College Scholarship, she is now applying her education toward a career in the hotel industry. Christine is currently working at a local hotel with the goal of becoming a hotel manager... and one day owning her own business.

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"The best compliment I ever got was from my foster parents – that I'd grow up to do wonderful things with my life." -College graduate Christine 4 THE GRAHAM WINDHAM RECORD

SPRING/SUMMER 2011

NEWSWORTHY

Making Up for Lost Time The Credit Recovery Program at The Graham School

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any of our students at The Graham School missed school in the past and fell behind on their credits due to transitions and challenges in their lives. The Credit Recovery program at our campus offers students the chance to earn high school credits and work toward graduation – at an independent pace, with the support they need. It is one of several other programs that provide students with the chance to redefine themselves as students, engaged in learning.

Students in the Credit Recovery program take courses that meet New York State standards and, with the help of their teachers, learn the content through rigorous study time during and after school – and for many, on the weekends.

They learn in an individualized setting using advanced technology, master the art of notetaking, and study intensively for tests and quizzes, culminating in the New York State assessments and exams.

As a result of the dedicated staff, the continual collaborative approach to curriculum, and this highly effective program, all of the students engaged in the Credit Recovery program made up significant amount of credits. With an array of programs at the high school that fit the needs of all learners, we had a 100% passing and graduation rate for high school seniors! Our expanded Credit Recovery program gave additional students the opportunity to walk across the stage as part of a group of 21 high school graduates in the Class of 2011 at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School.

"Since the credit recovery program was implemented, I see a big change in students that I’m working with.

They come to class on time, they’re really interested in learning, and they’re great at taking notes, which is something new to most of them. They’re quite impressed with themselves that they’re able to take such notes, remember what they’re working on, go back and answer questions that the program asks them."

-A teacher with the Credit Recovery program

Photo: Mark Vergari / The Journal News

Congrats, grads! We had 21 students in the Class of 2011 at The Graham School this year... many of whom would not have graduated without the Credit Recovery program.

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"When I first came to Graham, I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t want to step foot in here. I had no self-confidence.

When they put me in Credit Recovery, right away I started working. It’s an easy program to understand, but it's something you’ve got to put your mind to. For a student that didn’t want to be here, it made me more focused. It made me want to do better for myself, and it made me want to graduate even more. My family was proud to see me going up instead of down."

-A student in the Credit Recovery Program

Sharing Data...and Getting Educational Results for Our Kids In our ongoing efforts to improve our children's chances of success in school, we are taking part in the Data Sharing Initiative, a pilot program that allows us to link data from the New York City Department of Education on student attendance and achievement to our internal system, for every school-aged child in foster care. The new initiative, led at Graham Windham by Nadine Bonafide, Senior Program Consultant for Program Performance & Planning, allows us to provide routine reports to our staff so that they can intervene in students' educational issues early and often. The pilot program is a collaboration between the New York City Department of Education, the Administration for Children’s Services, and a group of seven private child welfare agencies. This June we invited representatives from these agencies and others to learn how we use the shared data at Graham Windham to improve outcomes for our kids. Our hope is that other agencies will begin to provide the data to their staff in a similar, easy-to-digest manner, promoting more frequent and effective educational advocacy for children in foster care.

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THE GRAHAM WINDHAM RECORD 5

NEWSWORTHY

Introducing Our Newest Addition

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e are proud to welcome Sharmeela Mediratta as our Vice President for Family & Community Support Services, a role in which she oversees our prevention programs, Bridges to Health/Health Care Integration Agency services (see below for more about our Bridges to Health program), school-based programs, and mental health clinic.

"I have worked in child welfare for 20 years," says Ms. Mediratta, "and I have never encountered an agency that has been so deeply committed – on every level – to achieving excellence in child welfare.

It is absolutely what brought me here – this is an extraordinary opportunity to raise the bar for child welfare in New York City." Most of her career prior to Graham Windham was spent at SCO Family of Services, where she worked on youth development and accountability programs for teens in residential group settings, and also led the implementation of a number of highly regarded programs for foster care families, as well as primary prevention programs for community families. Ms. Mediratta's work resulted in the creation of a continuum of interventions designed to improve foster care family visits and address the significant attachment and mental health needs of infants and toddlers in care. She also helped to implement evidence-based early childhood models that included the Parent-Child Home Program, Early Head Start, and the Nurse-Family Partnership.

Ms. Mediratta was awarded a Golden Heart Award in 2006 for her service to families in foster care and was a member of the NYS Permanent Judicial Commission on Infants in Foster Care. She holds a BA degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MSW degree from Columbia University. A licensed clinical social worker, Ms. Mediratta is currently studying for her doctorate in social welfare at The Graduate Center/ CUNY.

Bridges to Health...Pathways to Resilience

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ne of our newest programs, Bridges to Health (commonly referred to as B2H) provides intensive support to caregivers in order to stabilize children in foster care and those exiting the juvenile justice system. The program is voluntary; parents choose to enroll their child, choose which agency will provide the service (Graham Windham is one of 17 B2H providers state-wide), and select the services from 13 options that range from crisis avoidance to skill building.

These past two years our staff have been working tirelessly and passionately to build the program, provide life-changing services to children and youth, and engage with parents and families to help them take advantage of this opportunity.

We began serving our first child in June 2009, and today, we have over 240 children and youth enrolled in the program, making us the fourth largest program in New York State. Our staff numbers have increased exponentially – the program now employs over 100 staff and spans two of Graham Windham's divisions. In our Family and Community Support Services division we have approximately 50 Health Care Integration staff who provide home-based case management. Our Family Permanency Planning Services division also employs over 50 staff, most of whom are part-time workers, providing services in the community and in families' homes. Both sides continue to grow as we accept more referrals, and we anticipate hiring more than 60 part-time and 10 or more full-time staff over the summer.

Bridges to Health: The Numbers Speak New York State's B2H program is one-of-a-kind in the country, and in just two years, we have seen the difference that it makes for our kids. The program primarily serves children with diagnoses such as mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, and phobias. It also serves children with chronic health problems and development delays. In New York City, 30% of foster children with similar diagnoses move repeatedly from foster home to foster home, while Graham Windham’s B2H program data shows that fewer than 2% of our kids have made negative moves. In addition, of kids in our Family Permanency Planning Services division enrolled in our B2H program, 83% have school attendance rates of 80% or higher (almost 60% have 90% attendance rates). Those numbers speak to the remarkable work of our staff and the dramatic impact of this unique model.

6 THE GRAHAM WINDHAM RECORD

SPRING/SUMMER 2011

NEWSWORTHY

Now Open for Business Our first Family Achievement Center opens in the Bronx

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e know from research and experience that invested and informed families are the key to a child’s success in school. Furthering our commitment to the educational success of the children we work with, we opened the doors of our Family Achievement Center, a first-of-its-kind initiative, on February 14th. The Family Achievement Center – located in our Bronx office  Hard at work...or rather, hard at play! next to the space where children and parents come to spend time with each Kids at the Family Achievement Center other, healing wounds and growing stronger as a family – teaches parents, have a chance to learn through educational software, books, and games. caregivers, staff and children how to become the most effective education advocates.

The staff of the Family Achievement Center, experts in navigating the NYC Department of Education, provide guidance, resources, training and direct advocacy to help ensure that we are giving the children we work with the educational opportunities and support they deserve.

Through the Family Achievement Center Computer Lab, made possible by a generous donation from Trustee Mark Rufeh, parents have webbased access to student achievement and attendance information so that they can develop a better understanding of the educational needs of their children, and hold them accountable for investing in their own futures. The Center also offers families access to free books and resources provided to us by support from Trustee Barbara Marcus, and The Penguin Young Readers Group.

Since February 14th, over a hundred children, parents, and staff members have visited the Family Achievement Center and over 75 of those have joined the Center’s virtual discussion group, which aims to gather and share information and implement ideas and solutions to help families and staff learn to advocate for a quality education for their kids. With support, we hope to grow this model so that every child we serve succeeds in school with the help of the caring adults in their life.

Get Organized! Get S.M.A.R.T.

Our motto for the Family Achievement Center, Get Organized! Get S.M.A.R.T., refers to our approach for helping families advocate for their kids in schools. We help families get school records organized...and help them create "S.M.A.R.T" – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound – goals for their child's success in school.

HOW YOU CAN HELP If you would like to help provide books and materials for our Family Achievement Center and other sites, please contact Sandra April, Vice President for Development, at 212-529-6445 ext. 349 or by email at aprils@graham-windham.org.

The First Annual Prom Couture Dress Boutique It takes a village to get a girl ready for prom! For over 50 girls in our foster care programs, the village came together with dresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, and makeup – all in a lovely boutique setting – to get our girls ready for the big night.

They experienced the thrill of picking out just the right dress, with their foster and birth parents accompanying them to help with the big decision! We would like to thank all of our friends in the community who made the event possible, including Terry Chan, Beth Dannhauser, Catherine Glenn, Jessica Jean Hu, Mackenzie Michaels bridal store, Alison Million, and Frank Ricci, who – along with many of our staff – provided beautiful new and gently used dresses and accessories, as well as Vanezza Cruz, who designed elegant invitations and flyers to publicize the event to our girls and their families. We would also like to thank Boots and Mary Kay for providing cosmetics and makeup artists...and our friends at Revlon for providing cosmetics for the girls to use on prom night! Special thanks go to Ketsia Delarosa-Torres, Educational Coordinator, and Pilar Larancuent, Preparing Youth for Adulthood Coordinator, for heading up the project and seeing it through!

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THE GRAHAM WINDHAM RECORD 7

SPOTLIGHT Meet Our New Trustees Richard Rothman

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ichard Rothman is a senior Litigation partner with Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, in the firm’s Complex Commercial Litigation practice group. In addition to his experience as lead trial counsel and coordinating counsel in complex commercial litigations, he has extensive experience in the fields of antitrust, product liability, and bankruptcy litigation.

Mr. Rothman has also served in leadership roles with various public service organizations. He has served as President of the Federal Bar Foundation; Trustee of the Federal Bar Council and Chairman of the Council’s Second Circuit Courts and Public Service Committees; Counsel to the Board and member of the Executive Committee of the American Red Cross in Greater New York; Co-Chair of the Products Liability Subcommittee of the ABA Litigation Section’s Committee on Corporate Counsel; and a member of the Washington University Law School National Council. Mr. Rothman received his B.A. (magna cum laude) from Tufts University and his law degree from Washington University School of Law. He tells us, “I decided to join the Graham Windham board because I'm deeply concerned about issues concerning children, including issues concerning foster care and education, and I was extremely impressed with everyone on the Graham Windham staff that I met.

I also have a connection to The Graham School, dating back to my high school basketball days. I'm very much looking forward to serving on the board and learning more about the great work Graham Windham does.”

Dr. Eyal Shemesh

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r. Eyal Shemesh serves as the Chief of the Division of Behavioral and Developmental Health in the Department of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai Medical Center, where he is an Associate Professor in Psychiatry specializing in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Pediatrics. Trained as both a pediatrician and a psychiatrist, he has published dozens of scientific articles on the emotional impact of chronic illnesses in children and adults. He was also the medical director of the CATCH program (Children After Trauma Care and Health), addressing the needs of emotionally traumatized children. Dr. Shemesh earned his MD from Hebrew University and completed his residency at Mount Sinai Hospital and at Beilinson Medical Center.

Dr. Shemesh's experience has been an invaluable resource for our staff, and he has not only volunteered his time and talents as a board member, but as a consultant for our staff in handling cases involving childhood trauma.

He says, “Graham Windham is one of the most dynamic child services organizations that I know of. The youthful and ‘can do’ spirit of the board, management, and staff is providing a wonderful environment of hope – which is very important to the recipients of the services, and which one can build on to provide ever better care. In my work, I often saw the enormous difference that a good environment can make in the lives of children. I am thankful to be a part of the work of such an important and exciting organization."

8 THE GRAHAM WINDHAM RECORD

1806 FOUNDERS Joanna Bethune

Elizabeth Hamilton

Isabella Graham

Sarah Hoffman

HONORARY TRUSTEES Arthur Ashe †

Wynton Marsalis

Joan Ganz Cooney

Jim Henson †

Oscar de la Renta

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Georgia Wall Chairman

R. Kenneth Bryant

Heather McVeigh

Henry J. Carnage

Pamela C. Minetti

John L. Cecil

Carmen Paolercio

James R. Craigie

Salim Ramji

Sally E. Durdan

Richard Rothman

Eric Gerster

Mark Rufeh

Michael Golden

John Sargent

Shamika Lee

Harriet Savage

Jennifer Mackesy

Eyal Shemesh

Andrew Makk

Melissa M. Thomson

Barbara Marcus Poul Jensen

President & Ceo

TRUSTEES EMERITI Michael Ainslie

John C. Hanson

Suzanne Ainslie

Elizabeth Sargent

Suzy Bales

Diane Schlinkert

Barbara Carr

Leo Schlinkert

Richard DeMartini

Richard Stewart

Robert Ferrari

Sandra Trim-DaCosta

James Gorman

H. M. Baird Voorhis

HONOREES Michael Ainslie Arthur Ashe † Mrs. Vincent Astor † Suzy Bales Dr. T. Berry Brazelton Ruby Bridges Joan Ganz Cooney Oscar de la Renta Michael Golden James Gorman Donna Hanover

Marian Sulzberger Heiskell Jim Henson † Charlayne Hunter-Gault Judith Jamison Chancellor Joel I. Klein Kenneth Lewis Wynton Marsalis Cokie Roberts John Sargent Maurice Sendak

SPRING/SUMMER 2011

SPOTLIGHT

Honoring Longtime Trustee Henry Carnage Putting Kids First...Standing for Principles that Last

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enry Carnage first became involved with Graham Windham in 1981 when Lonnie Stafford – a member of Henry's fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, and then resident director of The Graham School, asked him if he would host a picnic for some kids at the Armonk Corporate Headquarters for IBM, where Henry was employed. Henry arranged to have 67 kids transported from The Graham School to the recreational facilities at the IBM headquarters. It was a great day for everyone. The kids found Henry easy to relate to – he had grown up in what he calls "old-school inner-city" in Philadelphia, and knew where our kids were coming from. The next year, Henry joined the Board of Directors of Graham Windham, and has stayed on it for almost 30 years.

"With regard to longevity, I compare IBM and Graham Windham.

There are things that don't change – the principles, the integrity."

Henry's path to IBM began with his career in the Air Force. He served for three years in Germany in the early 1960s, working in intelligence and also working with an early generation of computers. Interested in the new and growing field, Henry wanted to work for IBM after leaving the service but needed a degree. He attended Temple University in 1964 and worked as a night watchman at a department store to pay his way. He was a good student, but the long night shifts left him exhausted. When his professor found him asleep in marketing class one day, he found Henry a new job at the campus computer center – with daytime hours and full-time pay. Henry's grades went up, and as a straight A student he was not required to attend classes, in accordance with Temple's policy. He was able to spend more time working at the computer center, graduated with honors, and went on to earn his MBA degree in 1969 from Wharton. He then began his 37-yearlong career at IBM, working in marketing, sales, and finance until his retirement in 2006.

His tenure at IBM is characteristic of his overall approach in life – his marriage to his wife Roslyn, who is also retired now from a career in human resources that includes key positions at The US Fund for UNICEF, CBS, and Columbia University, has lasted for over 45 years. His house in White Plains is 87 years old. "I like old stuff," says Henry. "There's a certain quality in the old stuff. With regard to longevity, I compare IBM and Graham Windham. There are things that don't change – the principles, the integrity. You can change your business, you can change your underwear, but you keep the same purpose and mission. It's important. It lets people know where you stand.

Graham Windham's mission has not changed since the beginning."

As Chair of our Audit Committee, Henry says, "I like to think of myself as guarding the kids' money. Putting the highest percentage of the money that we can into the kids' welfare helps me persevere." He is committed to what he thinks are the practices that best serve our kids.

"I try to make sure the kids get to experience things while they're in school," he says. "A lot of those kids have never been anywhere except the end of the subway line. The campus is doing a good job taking kids to museums, going places, and doing activities they wouldn't otherwise do." However, financial constraints put increasing pressure on organizations like ours for a "quick fix." "There is more pressure on the kids and more pressure on the organization for the magic bullet than before," he says. "There's this concept that we can give kids a lollipop and a Band-Aid and send them home." In meeting the challenges, Henry is optimistic – but realistic. "It's good to see the success," he says, "but you know it's not over.

You know there's a lot of work to do." His hope? Continuity. "One of the most important things in this business is the continuity."

Henry and Roslyn at our Bicentennial Gala in 2006

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Henry, we thank you for the continuity you have provided on our Board for many years...for upholding our principles throughout decades of change...and for persevering to help improve the lives of our children and families.

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THE GRAHAM WINDHAM RECORD 9

NEWSWORTHY

Feels Like Home One Mom's Experience with Our Early Childhood Program

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adija Tibbs is the proud mother of a bright-eyed, enthusiastic three-year-old named Caleb. Last spring, as Cadija prepared to go back to work as a court services manager, she began to look for a child care facility for her son. A single mother with a full-time job, Cadija did not anticipate the obstacles to finding an appropriate child care center. She visited no less than twelve different agencies, and all seemed lacking in one way or another.

Finally, after an exhaustive search, Cadija walked into our Lenox Avenue office and was immediately filled with a sense of relief and joy.

She had found a high-quality, affordable early care and education facility – and the perfect fit for Caleb.

“Graham Windham was the place I knew my son would love; the teachers and administrators appeared to be able to appreciate my son for the unique individual that he is.”

Cadija with her son Caleb (to Cadija's left in the photo), at our Harlem Child Care Center

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Cadija quickly fell in love with Graham Windham’s mission and caring staff, and Caleb fell in love with the brightly colored walls, collaged with children’s artwork, at our Harlem Center! A few short months later, Cadija became president of our Parent Advisory Council.

Our Vice President of Early Childhood Services, Charmane Wong, asked Cadija to represent us at the annual Policy Symposium for the NACCRRA, the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, the nation's leading voice for child care. In her message to the NACCRRA, Cadija described the struggles for working parents, as well as low-income parents, when looking for quality childcare…and her positive experience with Graham Windham, from the affordability of our services and credentialed staff to the flexible hours of operation, diverse community, expansive curriculum, and commitment to supporting parents.

She also talked about her concerns about how many children of working parents “fall through the cracks” when facilities are either extremely expensive or only open to low-income families…in contrast with Graham Windham’s commitment to inclusion, which meant that Cadija and Caleb were welcomed with open arms. She said, “Graham Windham was the place I knew my son would love; the teachers and administrators appeared to be able to appreciate my son for the unique individual that he is. Graham Windham felt like home.”

Cadija went on to say, “Locating quality, affordable safe daycare for your child should not be a mission of epic proportions leading to disappointment. Every child deserves to have their intellect stimulated, supported, and encourage. Doesn’t it behoove us to give our children the best start possible?” Our Early Childhood Centers have given Caleb and many other children just that.

u Pre-Kindergarten children at our Williamsburg Child Care Center dressed up in traditional clothing from around the world and learned how to say "friend" in 20 different languages as part of their moving-up ceremony, as they transition to Kindergarten!

10 THE GRAHAM WINDHAM RECORD

SPRING/SUMMER 2011

HAPPENINGS A Celebration of Can-Do Optimism The Leadership Council Celebration Dinner raises $1.13 million to support our children and families

W

e raised more than $1.13 million for our children and families at our Annual Leadership Council Celebration Dinner on April 7th. The event, which was held at The American Museum of Natural History's Rose Center for Earth and Space, was co-chaired by Board Chair Georgia Wall and Board Members Jennifer Mackesy, Heather McVeigh and Melissa Thomson. It was 100% underwritten by our 150-member Leadership Council, originally formed in 2006 to mark our Bicentennial Anniversary.

The highlight of the evening was a captivating, heartfelt, homemade video by Trey Cruz, a 17-year-old student at The Graham School, Graham Windham's highly regarded residential education and treatment center located in Hastings-on-Hudson,  Graham Windham's Leadership Council Celebration Dinner at The Rose Center for Earth and Space New York. Entitled simply, “Trey's Story,” the video told the story of a life on some of the City's meanest streets – chaos, dysfunction and failed foster home placements...and ultimately a journey from despair to optimism as a result of a good school, caring adults, peer support, family connections, enriching experiences and hard work.

Poul Jensen, our President & CEO, opened the program with a quote from Mark Twain...that there is "nothing sadder than a young pessimist." He went on to say that by supporting Graham Windham, "you are turning young pessimists into vibrant, can-do optimists, with their eyes squarely set on their futures. You are doing it", he said, "by caring about them, believing in them, investing in them, and by withholding permission for them to be defeated for having been dealt a bad hand."

President & CEO Poul Jensen, Board Member Michael Golden, and Chairman of the Board, Georgia Wall

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After the video, and a rousing standing ovation, Trey took the stage to say that despite his struggles, "we all have dreams and we know that it takes a patient, caring adult to help ground those dreams in reality." He honored his uncle who "is a consistent, positive force in my life," and then related that mentoring experience to his own mentoring of a younger student on campus named Noa. "I want to help Noa read and participate in sports. Noa is my chance to give back, to have an impact on someone else's life. He's my chance to take all the difficult times and use what I've learned to show others how to cope and overcome."

Graham School student Trey Cruz with teacher Jeffrey Fleisig, Superintendent Amy Goodman, and Andrea Byrne

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We thank all of you who joined us that evening...and who join in our efforts to change the lives of kids like Trey.

Photos by Julie beers

VOLUME 39

THE GRAHAM WINDHAM RECORD 11

33 Irving Place, 7th Floor New York, NY 10003 212.529.6445 info@graham-windham.org www.graham-windham.org

Non-Profit Org. US Postage

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Permit 5013 New York, NY

AT THE CAMPUS We've had a great spring and summer at The Graham School thanks to friends like you!

SAVE

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The Graham School Open House

Students in the Drum Corps march to the beat of their own drums!

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 The

New York Mets donated tickets for our kids to see the Mets play on Father's Day. Thanks for taking us out to the ballgame!

Come see our beautiful 100-year-old campus and meet the students who live, learn, and grow up here!

Bring your friends!

Thursday, October 13th Student-Led Classroom Tours 6:30-7:30 pm Reception 7:30 pm

Our kids put on a fantastic concert with the help of our friends at Road Recovery, a program that helps young people battle addiction and other adversities with the help of entertainment industry professionals who have been through similar situations.

The Graham School Campus 1 South Broadway Hastings-on-Hudson, NY

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We played a chess tournament against St. Christopher’s, and while the visitors played a great match, our kids swept the 1st place awards!

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RSVP: Sandra April 212-529-6445 ext. 349 aprils@graham-windham.

www.graham-windham.org Have you visited our website lately? You can sign up for email updates, join us on Facebook, and donate securely online to help us change the lives of our kids and families!

Plus, check out videos of our kids, news items, and more!

Editor-In-Chief : Sandra April Managing Editor: Nina Choudhary

Layout Editor: Joely Saravia Printing: Todd Allan

Printed on recycled paper