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serving children supporting families strengthening communities vol. xxxi issue no. 3
Prominent Foundations Support Graham Windham’s Literacy Initiative
T
he Independence Community
The Brooklyn Family Literacy
Foundation and the Lehman
Facilitator is a newly created position that
ings with the Independence
Brothers Foundation have
will collaborate with the Brooklyn
Community Foundation that this
“It was through several meet-
recently joined forces with Graham
position came to fruition. All it takes
Windham by providing grants of $25,000
is one private funder to believe in
each. This covers the cost of the Family
your idea to be able to garner interest
Literacy Facilitator for our Brooklyn
from other foundations, and to help
Community-Based Literacy Pilot
set forth a new program that has the
Program, a model the agency hopes to
potential to truly make a difference
replicate in the Bronx and Harlem.
in a child’s welfare and well being. We are very grateful for the support
“We are very honored to partner with both The Independence Community Foundation and the Lehman Brothers Foundation, two highly esteemed foundations, on this important component of our agency-wide literacy initiative,” says Poul Jensen, Graham Windham CEO and President.
inside J 2005 Gala New Staff Members Celebrity Visit
“Making the acquisition of literacy skills and educational attainment an integral element of child welfare services is central to improving the lives of these most vulnerable children.” BEN ESNER, INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Education Coordinator and help Graham
of both the Independence
Windham to liaison between its casework
Community Foundation and the
and the school system, collaborate with
Lehman Brothers Foundation,” com-
outside organizations to maximize the
ments Charmane Wong, VP of
services the Agency offers and to serve
Graham Windham Early Childhood
approximately 400 children and families by the end of the first year of the program.
Alumni Reunion
continued on page 3
summer 2005
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Graham School Alumni Reunion Remembering the Past, Looking Forward
Literacy Initiative, cont’d from page 1
Where better to celebrate the importance of education and family than in the Graham
on to Graham Windham’s Literacy Initiative with a $10,000 grant to help support a fam-
School’s beautifully renovated historic chapel and state-of-the-art learning center, where
ily literacy-training program for adults whose pre-school children attend the America
more than forty alumni and their families spent a wonderful day
Reads program at Graham Windham’s Harlem Beacon Center.
catching up, reminiscing and listening to the latest updates about their alma mater. Current Graham residents welcomed alumni and gave tours of their respective cottages.
Mrs. William Grey and Elizabeth Rivera Rodriguez
Gerry Leventhal, Graham Windham VP for Westchester
Services and Director of Literacy Programs. Additionally, in May 2005, The Staples Foundation for Early Learning Inc. signed
Graham Windham Board of Directors Georgia Wall, Chair Richard M. DeMartini,
It has become evident that funding organizations and donors recognize now, more than
Senior Vice Chair
ever, that Graham Windham not only holds a solid results-driven track record and exhibits mastery in its core area of focus of service provision, child welfare; but that the Agency also
David Hunt, First Vice Chair
has seen much success integrating education and literacy into its programs and services.
John L. Cecil, Second Vice Chair
Ben Esner, Deputy Director at the Independence Community Foundation adds,
Services, moderated a panel discussion led by Donald Griggs,
Hamid Biglari, Third Vice Chair
principal, Vincent Ziccolella Elementary/Middle School,
“Making the acquisition of literacy skills and educational attainment an integral element
Anthony Braswell, principal, Martin Luther King, Jr. High
of child welfare services is central to improving the lives of these most vulnerable chil-
School, and Tamara Rivera, a former Graham School resident.
dren. Through its innovative programming Graham Windham is a leader in this effort,
Both principals presented a State-of-the-School address and
and our Foundation is truly honored to be its partner as we seek to create an effective
R. Kenneth Bryant,
responded to questions from the alumni audience. Leventhal
model that addresses this critical need.”
Assistant Treasurer
spoke about the school’s efforts in expediting family reunifica-
While Graham Windham’s mission will always be the welfare of children, it has
tion and its on-going collaboration with the Administration for
become clear that improving a child’s education and literacy skills, as well as their parent’s,
Children’s Services to shorten the length of time children
is critical to the betterment of a child’s future. Going forward Graham Windham expects
spend in foster care.
to continue seeking private funds to support this important program, which works to enhance the exemplary child welfare programs and services that currently exist.
One of the highlights of the day was Tamara Rivera’s
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we still need homes. I knew [Graham] would help me find one,” Tamara said to the attentive audience.
Back row, left to right: A. Nunez, F. Caban, W.Landry, P. FisherWright, W. Henry; Front row, left to right: S. de la Torre, L. Acea, and former Graham School staff member J. Wasserman.
Heather McVeigh, Assistant Secretary Melissa M. Thomson,
Suzanne F. Bales Henry J. Carnage James R. Craigie
“Since finding a home for Tamara last year,” Leventhal says, “her performance in school, her interactions with her
Robert V. Ferrari, Secretary
Assistant Secretary
story of working with Graham School staff and finding a permanent family. “Just because we’re not little kids anymore,
John Sargent, Treasurer
Madeline Eckett-Oden
It’s a Touchdown!
Phyllis Fisher-Wright
classmates and her enthusiasm to succeed in life have all improved dramatically.”
This past Spring Graham Windham Board of Directors Member,
Jane Hanson
Shamika Lee, was honored as the New York Giants’ 2004
Barbara Landau
Community Quarterback. Funded by NFL Charities, the Giants
Shamika Lee
Community Quarterback Award honors youth and community vol-
Ritta McLaughlin
unteers who have demonstrated leadership, dedication and com-
Pamela C. Minetti
Gerry Leventhal, Graham Windham Vice President for Westchester
mitment to bettering the community in which they live. As a
Carmen Paolercio
Services, presented at the Family to Family Leadership Conference,
teenager in Graham Windham programs, Ms. Lee brings first
Sydney Reynolds
“Putting Values into Action,” sponsored by the Annie E. Casey
hand knowledge and has been instrumental in developing new
Tracy Pearce Rutherfurd
Foundation, in Denver, Colorado, in June. Mr. Leventhal joined four
programming and events such as the Annual Holiday Gift Drive
Harriet Savage
members of the New York City Administration for Children’s
for teenagers, securing tickets to various sporting events, leading
Catherine Tracy
Services (ACS) staff in a workshop discussion on the City’s success
workshops on college prep, budgeting, and career planning, and
Carlo Vittorini
in lowering the number of children in foster care from 41,000 to
preparing a college tour program that will provide teenagers with
its current number of 18,000 over the past eight years. His com-
exposure to various colleges and universities. Currently, Ms. Lee is
PICTURED ABOVE:
ments addressed the Graham School’s transformation from a res-
a member of the Media & Internet Equity Research team at
(located at the Graham Residential School and Treatment Center in Westchester) won its first
Poul Jensen, President & CEO
idential treatment center to a residential school and treatment cen-
Lehman Brothers and she continues to lobby for a variety of
Class D state championship title and became the first residential treatment center in New York
ter that focuses on permanency and education.
improvements to the foster care system in general.
State to win a state-wide public school championship in a major sport.
summer 2005
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Graham Windham Speaks to Permanency and Education
Michael Golden
Keith Winn Graham Windham’s Martin Luther King Jr. High School “Tigers” Basketball Team
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Bright Lights, Big City: Graham Windham Hosts Literacy at the Lighthouse The setting sun over the Hudson provided a
the admiring crowd. After dinner, Georgia
spectacular backdrop for Literacy at the
Wall, Chairman of the Graham Windham
Lighthouse: Graham Windham Celebrates
Board of Directors, stepped to the podium.
John Sargent on Thursday, May 26th at the
With a theme of “all things are possible,” she
Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. Students from
spoke about the need for support for
the Graham Windham Beacon program and
Graham Windham’s programs and services,
the Graham School boys’ basketball team
and how critical literacy is for all children
acted as a welcoming committee under a
today. Ms. Wall then presented John Sargent
canopy of palm trees, and 420 guests were
with a framed drawing of a literary superhero,
entertained by the sounds of the Graham
created by Gerald Crowe, a student at the
School Steel Drum Band as they sipped
Graham School.
cocktails and perused the silent auction of one-of-a-kind Picador authors’ doodles.
Amid much applause, Mr. Sargent spoke of his commitment to both his own
John Sargent is the Chief Executive
family and the Graham Windham family,
Officer of Holtzbrinck Publishing and a long-
underscoring the incredible need for support
time member of the Graham Windham
for the agency’s critical, life-changing pro-
Board of Directors and former Chairman of
grams and services, particularly in the area of
the Board. The New York City publishing
literacy enhancements.
world came out to pay tribute to John, as did
The evening raised nearly $700,000 in
the Graham Windham family of friends and
support of Graham Windham’s programs and
supporters, staff and board members.
services, and guests danced the night away
Jane Hanson, Mistress of Ceremonies, opened the evening by recognizing the
Gwendolyn Merrill, Kathy Mestl, and Karen Lynch.
Paul Shang and friends.
to the sounds of legendary New York City DJ Tom Finn.
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Graham School Tigers championship boys’ basketball team, and Tom Wolfe, the noted New York author, followed with remarks to
Left to right: Heather McVeigh, Tom Wolfe, Melissa Thomson, Suzy Bales TOP PHOTO
MIDDLE LEFT
Shamika Lee and Jane Hanson
Honoree John Sargent accepts the Isabella Graham Award from Board Chair Georgia Wall MIDDLE RIGHT
BOTTOM
The Graham School Steel Drum
ABOVE MIDDLE Teens from the Graham Windham Beacon Program greet guests.
Band
Left to right: Maureen Barton, Tom and Hondi Brasco, and Bill Barton enjoy the evening. ABOVE
record
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Michael Golden and Catherine Tracy.
summer 2005
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With Special Thanks to Our 2005 Gala Supporters Dinner Chairmen Hamid Biglari, Citigroup Jennifer L. Brorsen and Richard M. DeMartini Michael Golden, The New York Times Company James P. Gorman, Merrill Lynch David Hunt, McKinsey & Company Connie Sargent Stefan Von Holtzbrinck, Holtzbrinck Georgia Wall and Donald J. Gogel Keith and Linda Winn Patrons Paul S. Bird, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP Laurence J. Kirshbaum, Time Warner Book Group Heather and Brian McVeigh Midland Paper Company/Weyerhaeuser Richard Robinson, Scholastic Inc. Committee James Abramson and Cornelia A. Sellers, Law Offices of James M. Abramson Mr. and Mrs. James D. Auran Mr. and Mrs. Peter Axelrod Maureen and Bill Barton Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Bloom Anthony and Nancy Bowe Oren and Mary Jo Bramson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Brasco Blair and Mary Kim Brewster Susan Bruce and Peter Hedges Mariellen and Noble Carpenter Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Carnage Mary A. Civiello and William T. Carr Nate and Erin Cortright Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Crawford Lynda Decker, Decker Design Michael and Susan Delaney Liz Ann and Buzz Doherty Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dresdale Mr. and Mrs. David Edelson The Ellen M. Violett and Mary P.R. Thomas Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Ferrari Joe Finder and Michele Souda Phyllis Fisher-Wright Molly Friedrich and Mark Carson Dr. and Mrs. Charles A. Gray Paul and Diane Guidone Jeffrey Gural, Newmark & Company Mr. and Mrs. Volker Hase Mrs. Alexander B. Hawes Harry P. Hawkes, Booz Allen Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. George Hornig Linda and J.P. Howitt Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia Sarah Israel Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jackson
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Senior Staff Members Join Graham Windham
Jerry Speyer Melissa and Todd Thomson
Random House Jane and Paul Shang
Mr. Francis X. Spain joined Graham Windham this spring as the Chief Financial Officer/Vice
Sponsors Charles A. Anderson, Anderson Media Anonymous Suzy and Carter F. Bales John Cecil and Celia Felsher Casey Cogut, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Jane Friedman, HarperCollins Publishers Jaguar Advanced Graphics John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Marina and Stephen E. Kaufman Anthony Lucki, Houghton Mifflin Company Steve Murphy, Rodale Inc. Neltje Quebecor World Book and Directory Services RR Donnelley
Friends Bill Barry, DK Publishing R. Kenneth Bryant, The Wicks Group, L.L.C. James R. Craigie, Church & Dwight GVA Williams Jack Gilbride, Mutual of America Google Jonathan Knee, Evercore Partners Carmen and Anthony Paolercio Jill and Alan Rappaport Jack Romanos, Simon & Schuster Catherine and Arnold Tracy Nancy and Carlo Vittorini Von Hoffmann/Lehigh Press W. W. Norton & Company
Human Resources, Administrative Services, Information Technology and Quality Improvement, has
Marc E. Jaffe Francis and Kelly Jelensperger Joseph Kanon and Robin Straus Jeremy Kohomban, The Children’s Village Mary M. Kresky Karin and David Kuhns Lisa Kunstadter and Nicholas Stephens Fred Kuntzman, Ernst & Young Jenny and Trey Laird Shamika Lee Michael and Karen Lynch Susan and Bennett Machtiger Jack McArdle, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Heather McCallion Kathy and Jim Mestl Robert S. Miller Mr. and Mrs. Paul Minarsky Mr. and Mrs. T. Guy Minetti Jimmy and Amanda Moffat Candy and Mike Monaco Nicholas Ellison, Nicholas Ellison, Inc. Dore Normile Frank and Ashley O’Keefe Madeline and L. Patrick Oden Dr. and Mrs. Robert Palmer Phoenix Color Corporation Vikki L. Pryor Sydney Reynolds and James Raniere Tracy and Jim Rutherfurd Ellen Sargent and Steve Nicholas Mr. and Mrs. John T. Sargent Harriet and Arthur Savage Patricia S. Schroeder, Association of American Publishers, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Shiverick Bradford Smith Benita C. Somerfield Charlotte and John Suhler Hugh and Julie Sullivan
Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln E. Frank Mr. and Mrs. Michael Friedman Mr. and Mrs. William Gollner Jessica and James Gray Poul and Denise Jensen Joseph and Joanne Kastalek Holly Kennedy Sherry and Robert Kreek Gerry Leventhal and Kathy Forte Mr. and Mrs. Nathan R. Light David Megley and Therese Guadagno Robert S. Miller, Hyperion Ms. Rita Ann Morale Mooseluck Associates, Inc. Anthony Nappi and Sarah Dahlgrin Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Rende Sally Richardson Romolo Rubeo Dr. and Mrs. A. Rubin Contributors Stephen Rubin, Doubleday Broadway Robert G. Anderson, Jr. Louis J. Ruggiero Anonymous Laura and Chris Rulon-Miller Mr. and Mrs. Frank Antolino William Sabia Susan K. Benedetto and Joseph J. Porco Suzy Sanford Doris Benedict and Patricia Bernard Segal J. Linder Timothy Seldes Anna Bogdanow and Joseph Solimine, Rosol Agency Eugene Vastola Frank Spain Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Bowers Mr. and Mrs. William Staudt Michael Cairns, R.R. Bowker LLC Karen W. Talbot Grace L. Brodsky Frances A. Velay Sean Cassidy Chip and Jan Wagner Jack and Carole Cohn Theodore R. Wagner, Carter Mr. and Mrs. Scott Colton Ledyard & Milburn LLP Ellen and Pierre de Saint Phalle Ronald Walcott Mr. and Mrs. Raymond P. Dipaoli Basil Webster Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Weinberg Thomas L. Dunne Tania and Alan Weiss Bienn Estrella and Theodore Charmane Wong and Paul Dunn Bicking Andrew Wylie, The Wylie Agency Dan and Kara Farley
Julia Talbott and Michael Katz Thomas and Cynthia Tarantino Frederick and Barbara Taylor Amanda Urban, International Creative Management Christina and Philip Van Munching George and Kathleen Vonder Linden Mr. and Mrs. Jay Waxenberg Rick Weissbourd Michael Whitnum, Peck’s Office Plus Peter D. Wild Dennis and Kathleen Winter Peter Workman, Workman Publishing Co. Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Zimmerman
President for Operations. Mr. Spain, who is responsible for the overall operations of Fiscal Services,
over 25 years of highest level managerial experience providing both public and private child welfare services. Mr. Spain holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from the Rockefeller School of Government (SUNY) and a BA in economics and finance from Manhattan College, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Dr. Vijay Giles was welcomed as the new Principal of the Martin Luther King Jr., High School (The Graham School) on July 1, 2005. She came to Graham Windham from Yonkers Public
Ritta McLaughlin Joins Board of Directors
Schools where she worked as an Assistant Principal for six years. Prior to administration, Dr. Giles was the district-wide staff developer for instructional technology and a mathematics and comput-
Graham Windham is pleased to
er science teacher for eight years. She earned her Ed.D in Educational Leadership with a concen-
announce that Ritta McLaughlin
tration in Instructional Technology and Distance Education from Nova Southeastern University.
has joined the Board of Directors.
Her immediate responsibilities include supervision of the literacy initiative, staff development,
Currently an Associate
school safety, and collaborative leadership. Dr. Giles welcomes the opportunity to make Graham
Director in Municipal Finance at
Windham and Martin Luther King Jr., High School a superlative educational facility for students
Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc.,
with special needs..
McLaughlin has structured and provided investment banking services for 14 major airport transactions
On June 28, 2005, Charles Grodin, the famed actor, writer and former TV talk show host
totaling over $2.2 billion, since join-
participated in Road Recovery’s Master Class Series by speaking to a roundtable gathering of 15
ing the firm in 2002 as a member of
to 17 year olds at the Graham School. Mr. Grodin had a direct and open conversation with teens
the Airport Finance Group. She also
about the importance of focusing on realizing and pursing career goals. Road Recovery
serves as the firm’s day-to-day
is a non-profit organization comprised of music industry professionals whose lives have been
banker for the District of Columbia,
touched by drug and alcohol addiction. Since 2001, Road Recovery has been partnering with
the State of Connecticut and is a
the Graham School in delivering their ‘Live’ Performance Programs, Master Class Series and
member of the firm’s financing team
bi-monthly sobriety meetings on campus.
for the City of New York, working
BELOW:
with state and local municipalities in their efforts to finance a variety of infrastructure projects. A graduate of Vassar College and the New School for Social Research, Ms. McLaughlin has led a professional life that has encompassed politics, teaching, community development, finance, writing and speaking—an amazing amalgamation of service provided to the public, non-profit and private sectors.
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under-served children over-
Harlem Beacon Center After-School Program to Expand
come obstacles on the path to
Graham Windham recently received a new O.S.T. (Out of School Time) Services con-
self-sufficiency by giving them
tract to provide after-school programs and services to an additional 104 children at the
the skills to succeed, support-
Harlem Beacon Center located at the Roberto Clemente Middle School at I.S. 195.
Graham Windham helps
ing and strengthening their families and, when necessary, supplementing their families.
“This contract is extremely important because it will provide Graham Windham with the opportunity to strengthen our partnership with the school, serve more of our prevention children, and enhance our youth development program,” says Charmane Wong, VP of Graham Windham Early Childhood Services and Director of Literacy Programs. Currently serving 300 students between the ages of 6-12 years, the Agency’s OST
Graham Windham
program offers students an extended school day
Development Office
plus daily summer programming with expanded
33 Irving Place, 7th Floor
learning opportunities in a safe, drug free environ-
New York, NY 10003
ment that supports and encourages student’s aca-
T 212-529-6445, x316
demic achievement, physical, mental, social and
F 212-614-9811
emotional development. Additionally, the Agency
www.graham-windham.org
will be hiring new staff to compliment existing staff including seven new teachers, one curriculum spe-
Design: brown stone studio www.brown-stone-studio.com
cialist, and five specialty instructors.
Graham Windham 33 Irving Place New York, NY 10003
www.graham-windham.org Serving Children Supporting Families Strengthening Communities
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COFCCA
COUNCIL OF FAMILY AND CHILD CARING AGENCIES
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