Summer05

GWSummer

2/8/06

12:41

record

Page 1

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

GWSummer

2/8/06

12:41

Page 2

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

GW

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

GW

Graham Windham Speaks to Permanency and Education

Michael Golden

Keith Winn Graham Windham’s Martin Luther King Jr. High School “Tigers” Basketball Team

J

3

GWSummer

2/8/06

12:41

Page 4

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.

GW

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

J

4

Michael Golden and Catherine Tracy.

summer 2005

J

5

GWSummer

2/8/06

12:41

Page 6

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

record J 6

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.

summer 2005 J 7

GWSummer

2/8/06

12:41

Page 8

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

record

COFCCA

COUNCIL OF FAMILY AND CHILD CARING AGENCIES

GW