Summer 2023 Newsletter

caring for children, strengthening families and transforming communities

PINWHEEL PLACE'S POST

Building Better Tomorrows

Building Better Tomorrows Campaign Kick Off!!

Over the past few years we have seen our program grow and have seen what the needs of the families and children in the community are That is why we are so excited to move into our new home and meet the educational, environmental, and emotional needs of the children and families we serve! Our job is to keep families safe, healthy and connected

The Building Better Tomorrows campaign will be a partnership with local business, local government and friends and supporters to raise the funds necessary for renovation supplies and other costs The campaign will also support our programs and services so we can take ultimate advantage of the new home

Pinwheel Place's new home will have a comforting home like feel and will include :

designated spaces for preschool age and infant- toddlers private offices for parent meetings and wrap around services space for extended programs such as a pop in mommy and me playgroups outside fenced in play space a security system

storage space for our basic needs program and future pop up baby pantry also benefits for clients such as access to public transportation, and a community park within walking distance

We have been busy planning for our new space and are so excited to finally begin! Over the next few months we will be on the path to build better tomorrows for our community’s children but we will need your help along the way We need to raise the funds for renovations, furniture, and supplies needed We will need volunteers and community members to join us There will be opportunities to lay bricks, both literally and figuratively, opportunities to adopt rooms and show the children in our community that we care by creating beautiful spaces and most importantly opportunities to gather as a village and show that our community cares about each other and our futures To find out more about our Building Better Tomorrows campaign or to make a donation please visit our website www pinwheelplace org and if you are interested in becoming more involved please email us at info@pinwheelplace.org

Together, let's build a brighter future for vulnerable children at our Crisis Nursery. Your support during the Building Better Tomorrows campaign will shape the lives of countless children and ensure they have a safe place to heal, grow, and thrive. Join us now and be a part of this transformative journey!

Remember, every action you take today will shape a better tomorrow for those who need it the most. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Thank you for your support!

Volunteers Wanted!

Campaign AmbassadorsBecome a campaign ambassador and help spread the word about our mission. Engage with your network, organize fundraisers, and raise awareness about the vital services we provide to vulnerable children.

"The success of the Building Better Tomorrow's Campaign depends on the collective efforts of our community!"

Quadhera Simmons WhitneyAssistant Director of Pinwheel Place

Cloudy with a chance of meatballs

Dear friends,

While I am writing this summer is a few days away Officially, that is

A

Letter From

Lynn Hawkins Director

Forget that we've had multiple 80-degree days already Forget that we've had hail in some parts of our counties Forget that we've had dark ominous orange skies that kept us indoors and looking through junk drawers for our masks

Up is down and down is up weather-wise and, really, it's pretty much the same deal for most everything these days. So although summer is almost here and we still can wear sweaters some days and shorts the next we learn to adjust and we wait patiently for when we can finally put those layers away and actually wear a swimsuit to the beach rather than a sweatshirt We adapt

We had to adapt a lot this year at Pinwheel Place But we're consistent in our mission We plan, things change, we pivot and we plan some more It’s what we have to do so that we can continue to be there for the families and children in our community It’s how we can still keep our baby pantry open and deliver and distribute basic needs It’s how we continue to plan for what families will need when we can open up the emergency child care center again after our landlord sold the house we had all grown to love and how with the housing market the way it is things can change on a dime and one could give up hope. Things changed but we didn’t give up hope, we kept going and now we are happy to say it paid off because we have a new home that we can’t wait to share with you soon!!!

It's not just because we have a mission, though It's you.

You, our donors You believe in the power of community to change lives We know you do because you've told us so, again and again.

So, to put it plainly, but gratefully:

It's your belief in us, your donations this fundraising season that will allow us to open our doors once again and help more families not have to wait to begin to think hopefully about their futures To help more children have brighter futures

Take a look around at our chance-of-meatballs world

Could there be anything more important?

Lynn

Pinwheel Place Thanks you for Your support!

Don't Forget to Play It Forward

Our Tricky Tray returned this year with a theme of play and playing it forward. Judging by the smiles and the donations it was a huge success on both fronts. Thanks to all who donated, volunteered and everyone who attended.

Our Community Stepped Up for Those With Diaper Need

A special thanks to Ranney School, Shark River Elementary School. and St. George Orthodox Church, for holding a spring diaper drive for Pinwheel Place. Though we're often unaware, many of our neighbors struggle with lacking diapers and other material basic necessities. Thanks to their help, more diapers will be available for these families in need. Plus, our community will become more aware of diaper need and how much impact it has on those around us.

hT a n ks totheGovardhanGroupforspons o r gni !

keeping kids safe : liam's story

Children at Pinwheel Place spend their days playing, doing craft projects and making new friends while their parents get the crucial time and support they need to create better futures for their families, thanks to your continued support! Here is a story of one of those chidlren.

Liam was almost three years old; his little sister Nina had just turned one a few weeks ago Since his sister's birthday everything had changed He had to move out of the only home he knew and into what his mother called a hotel All he knew is that it was very small and it had very little space to run and play He hadn’t seen his dad since the night his mother had brought him to this very small room His last memory of his dad was him yelling and being very scary toward his mother Even though he felt safer in this small room he longed to see his old toys and he longed for a space that would allow him to play more freely He still missed his dad who had been his primary caregiver since he was born, even though he mostly spent his time watching tv

His mother had informed him that they would be going to a place called Pinwheel Place This place was going to help his mom be able to go back to school so she could get them a bigger space When he got to Pinwheel Place everything was so colorful and there were so many toys and plenty of space for him to run around and play At first he was a little hesitant as to what to expect but after countless hours of playing with the blocks, trains ,and superheroes with the caring and gentle staff members he soon looked forward to coming to Pinwheel Place and ran to the staff as soon as his mother pulled up to the house everyday To his surprise he was able to learn so many new words that allowed him to communicate with both the staff at Pinwheel Place and his mom and sister at home Even if his sister didn't always seem to understand he realized that his new found language helped to get his point across to his sister faster than just pushing or hitting which was very helpful because she soon started being able to walk and got to him even quicker then before

By the time his own birthday rolled around he was a lot calmer and knew who to turn to when he needed help or just a snuggle. He was so grateful that he got to celebrate at Pinwheel Place with all the staff and even his mom came to the party and was smiling!

"

Help me please " used frequently once Liam learned to use his words

Easy ways to make an impact

Your Change Changes Lives !

We all can play a part in driving positive change and creating healthier, more equitable neighborhoods When you donate to Healthy Futures through the KidCents round-up program, you ’ re supporting our program! Click the button below to sign up!

Become

It's Common "Cents"

Whether it’s 64¢ from your morning cup of coffee, 19¢ from a trip to the grocery store or, 38¢ from your gym membership, every cent you donate to Pinwheel Place through RoundUp App is impactful.

Believe it or not, your spare change can change the game for us Monthly donations help us: provide diapers for families in our community , provide enrichment activities , and provide healthy meals for children in our care ! And so much more!

Sign up to donate your spare change here:

round up

A Game- Changer

Parenting is hard!

Preventing childhood trauma starts with offering parents support services ! Your investment provides these vital services to families. Here is how you can help: