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News and Events
Save the Date
October 12, 2010
8:30 to 1:00
Parent Advocacy Day
State House in Concord
Click here for more information
Winner of the 2010
Smith Award for Excellence in Service to Families
The Children's Place and Parent Education Center, Concord
Honored for Exemplary Support of Families
The New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund honored The Children's Place and Parent Education Center for Exemplary Support of Families at a Family Services Celebration held at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord on May 20, The Children's Place and Parent Education Center based in Concord was announced as the winner of the 2010 Smith Award for Excellence in Service to Families. The $15,000 cash award was presented to Michelle Deyermond, Family Support Coordinator and Childcare Coordinator for the Children’s Place.
Michelle Dreymond and Kay Sidway of The Children's Place with Keryn Bernard-Kriegl, Executive Director and Peirce Hunter, MD, Board Chair, NH Children's Trust Fund
Established in 1978 as the first Family Resource Center in New Hampshire, The Children’s Place and Parent Education Center is a family resource center providing services to families in Greater Concord, including support services, childcare and group play, parenting education and community outreach programs. Parent driven and parent led, The Children’s Place emphasizes respect for and understanding of children and the importance of parenting. Located in a renovated house, large and spacious areas allow children to play, receive individualized attention and cozy, comfortable rooms welcome parents for parent education and support groups.
State Legislator Mary Stuart Gile, one of The Children’s Place founding mothers, noted that “Many times whether it is in the context of testifying on a bill or thorough committee hearings, TCP has been referred to as an organization that proactively strengthens families and provides universal access to all families. TCP does not label or judge but takes everyone in.” A parent expressed it well—“parent involvement and staff make it so excellent...staff are good communicators and use a lot of modeling. They make parents feel like “I can do that.”
The Children’s Place and Parent Education Center has been a leader in the state and a model for other family support programs for many years. The NH Children's Trust Fund also recognized Kay Sidway, Program Director, mentor and mother to all, for her 32 years of leadership and dedication to the children and families of The Children’s Place.
Kay Sidway of The Children's Place and Parent Education Center speaking at the Family Services Celebraton on May 20, 2010
The Smith Award is given every two years to a New Hampshire nonprofit agency whose best practices exemplify excellence in service to families.
Winner of the
Lucy Fowlkes Breed Family Service Volunteer Award
Tia Parr, Northwood
The winner of the first Lucy Fowlkes Breed Family Service Volunteer Award was Tia Parr of Northfield. Tia came to the Children’s Place and Parent Education Center, Concord, in 2005 as a parent and a volunteer. At that time she volunteered in the Respite Childcare Program providing childcare to the other children at the Children’s Place. In 2006, Tia was invited to join the Children’s Place Board of Directors.
Tia Parr of Northwood (center) and her daughter with Lucy Fowlkes Breed (right) and Keryn Bernard-Kriegl, Executive Director and Peirce Hunter, MD, Chair, Board of Trustees, NH Children's Trust Fund
Tia has given back to the Children’s Place through her dedication, enthusiasm and strong leadership. Her work has focused on providing direct care to children and families, as well as organizing family fun events and parent education programs. All of her volunteer work has directly impacted families, providing them with quality services and supports that strengthen them and the community.
The list of volunteer activities in the nomination form is extensive, but, in a nutshell her nomination stated: “Her work at the Children’s Place and Parent Education Center is outstanding. She is enthusiastic and always strives to ensure quality programming for children and families. She is a strong advocate for families, always considering how board decisions affect families and the community. Her volunteer work at the Children’s Place has resulted in solid, family focused programming that strengthens the family and community.”
Entertainment for the May 20 Family Services Celebration was provided by the Purple Finches of Concord Community Music School.
Thank you to the sponsors of our 2 days of events:
Interfaith Luncheon
Extending "Safe Congregation" to Strong & Stable Families
Family Services Celebration
Lucy Fowlkes Breed Family Services Volunteer Award
and
The Smith Award for Excellence in Service to Families
Business Breakfast
Family Friendly is Better Business
2010 Unsung Hero Awards
Governor Lynch in attendance
28 Parents from Towns across NH honored
Concord NH:
On February 17 in the Governor and Council Chambers at the NH State House, with Governor John Lynch, the New Hampshire Children's Trust Fund/Prevent Child Abuse New Hampshire honored 28 parents, one for each day of the month. With close to 150 people in attendance, Governor Lynch issued a proclamation declaring February as Parent Recognition month, acknowledging that more parents each year are developing vital partnerships with service providers, policymakers, and key stakeholders to shape policy and serve as responsible role models for parents across the state, creating safer communities for children.
Following the ceremony a reception was held with Max, the mascot for the NH Monarchs, greeting the awardees and their families. View pictures of the winners and read about them by clicking here.
"My most important job is being a father. If I don't do that right nothing else matters."--Governor John Lynch
Thanks to the following sponsors of the Unsung Hero Awards...
- Byrne Foundation
- Cabot Creamery
- Chalifour's Flowers
- Circle of Parents, Child and Family Services
- Department of Family Studies at UNH
- Division for Children, Youth, and Families
- Early Learning New Hampshire
- E.M. Heath Supermarket
- Fidelity Investments
- Family Support New Hampshire
- Harvest Capital Management
- Head Start Collaboration Office
- Head Start Parent Advisory Council
- Manchester Monarchs
- New Hampshire Women's Lobby
- Northeast Delta Dental
- Stonyfield Farm
- UNH Cooperative Extension
Family Support New Hampshire information: (click the following links to download materials)
2009 Parent Advocacy Day, a great day for advocacy in NH!
On October 15, 2009 about 100 parent advocates joined us at the Legislative Office Building in Concord for a day of learning and an opportunity to build their skills to become a stronger advocate for their family and community.
The event included workshops on:
- health and well-being
- using your voice
- mental well-being
- dental health
- how to be an effective partner in your child's education
This event was a collaboration between the NH Children's Trust Fund, the NH Head Start Parent Association and the NH Head Start State Collaboration office.
NHCTF Welcomes New Executive Director, Keryn Bernard-Kriegl
Keryn Bernard-Kriegl comes to the NH Children's Trust Fund from one of our partner agencies, Families First Health and Support Center in Portsmouth. Keryn has over 20 years of experience in human services in New Hampshire, both providing direct services to clients and in administrative postions. She comes with a working knowledge of the range of services available to children and parents in our state.
Visit our staff page to read Keryn’s bio.
28 Parents Honored in Ceremony with Governor Lynch
On February 19, 2009, twenty-eight parents, one for each day of February, were honored as Unsung Heroes in a ceremony with Governor Lynch for the exceptional jobs they are doing as parents every hour of every day.
This award honors parents across New Hampshire for the remarkable things they are doing to strengthen their families and their communities. Click here to read more about the ceremony and each honoree and to view more photos.
News You Can Use!
E-newsletter Archives
The New Hampshire Children’s Trust Fund has moved to a paperless e-newsletter format to be more environmentally friendly. Click here to view our e-newsletter archive.
2008 Smith Award for Excellence in Service to Families
The Upper Room Honored for Exemplary Support of Families
2008 Smith Award for Excellence in Service to Families The Upper Room Honored for Exemplary Support of Families At a special celebration held at the Red River Theatre in Concord on May 12, The Upper Room, A Family Resource Center based in Derry was announced as the winner of the 2008 Smith Award for Excellence in Service to Families. The $15,000 cash award was presented to Upper Room Executive Director, Kimberly Bavaro by Leonard Wilson, Executive Vice President of Sovereign Bank, lead sponsor of the event. The award is given every two years to a New Hampshire nonprofit agency whose best practices exemplify excellence in service to families. To view event photos, go to our Smith Award page.
Leonard Wilson of Sovereign Bank presenting the Smith Award to Kimberly Bavaro and The Upper Room team.
Leonard Wilson of Sovereign Bank, Kimberly Bavaro of The Upper Room, Charles DeGrandpre, former president of the Lou & Lutza Smith Foundation
Many thanks to those who have supported this event:
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Kathleen K. Barger, CFRE
With generous in-kind support from the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth & Families
Thank you to RSVP volunteer: Laura McCormack
2008 Smith Award Committee:
Ed Barnwell, Suzie Boulter, Karen Carpenter, Melissa Correia, Liz Hager,
Courtney Herz, Peirce Hunter, Audrey Knight, Keryn Kriegl, Cathy McDowell, Eileen Mullen, Malcolm Smith,
Kristen Vance, Monica Zulauf
For more information and to see past award winners and photos from the 2008 Smith Award celebration, visit our Smith Award page.
Unsung Hero Award Ceremony held at the NH State House
On February 13, 2008 Governor John Lynch presented the Unsung Hero Award at a ceremony at the NH State House to 29 parents from across New Hampshire to honor them for the exceptional job they are doing as parents. Governor Lynch issued a proclamation declaring February as Parent Recognition Month. He cited the important role that parents are doing every hour of every day in strengthening families and leading communities. Unsung Hero Awards are a part of the NH Children’s Trust Fund Strengthening Families Initiative. Visit our new Families Are PRIMARY page for a calendar listing of the 29 award winners and to view pictures from the event.
NHCTF Celebrates 20 Years of Keeping Children Safe and Families Strong
On October 18, 2007 more than 240 individuals attended NHCTF’s 20th Anniversary Celebration at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH. The event included an inspiring keynote from Dr. Deborah Daro, the presentation of many awards including Family Support New Hampshire’s Dr. Robert Chamberlin Award, the Children Helping Children Award, Citizen Leadership Awards, and Special Recognition. Check out our recently published annual report for photos and award winners.
Dr. Deborah Daro’s Keynote Presentation
NHCTF 20th Anniversary Annual Report
NH State Library Features Community Library Project in Recent Newsletter
NHCTF and the Community Library Project is featured in the September 2007 Granite State Libraries newsletter, supported by the NH State Library. Click here to read the full article and learn more about the Community Library Project. Over 100 libraries have been sponsored to date. For information on how you can sponsor a library in a community near you, contact NHCTF at info@nhctf.org.
Support NHCTF by Buying Flowers From FTD
Beginning on April 1, 2007, FTD is supporting Prevent Child Abuse Chapters across the nation by donating a portion the sale of FTD products. NHCTF is eligible for this benefit as the New Hampshire chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. When you purchase flowers or any other FTD product through the FTD link, FTD will donate 15% of that sale to NHCTF. Purchases made through 1-800-SEND-FTD will also benefit NHCTF when you use the promotional #13069.
Remember your loved ones! Give the gift that gives twice and support child abuse prevention in New Hampshire.
NHCTF Bumper Stickers Keep Families PRIMARY
Get involved by purchasing a bumper sticker (or many bumper stickers) from NHCTF to remind everyone that Families Are PRIMARY in New Hampshire. Call NHCTF at 603.224.1279 or email info@nhctf.org to order your bumper stickers today. A $1 donation is requested for each bumper sticker.
NHCTF is Going GREEN!
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”
-- Native American proverb
At the New Hampshire Children’s Trust Fund we recognize that building strong families and healthy communities means caring for our earth. We know that our choices can either positively or negatively affect the environment around us. We know that every time we make a purchase we cast a vote for or against the environment.
In an effort to become a more environmentally friendly office, NHCTF has begun using 100% recycled copy paper and a variety of office supplies using post-consumer recycled content. We are moving to a paperless e-newsletter and have stepped up our recycling efforts. There are many terrific tips on the internet for greening your office. We also encourage you to explore the internet for valuable tips for families. Click here for a family friendly web site sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council.