Archive | Family of Woodstock

SafeTalk: Suicide Alertness Training Thursday May 5th, 2016

April 20, 2016/by

safe-talk-big SafeTalk:
Suicide Alertness Training
Thursday May 5th, 2016,
5:30pm

Christ´s Lutheran Church
26 Mill Hill Rd
Woodstock, NY 12498

What would you say to someone who may be contemplating suicide? What might you wish you’ve said? SafeTalk is a training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. This workshop will be led by Tamara Cooper of Family of Woodstock. Please RSVP by calling 679-2485 or email tcooper@familyofwoodstockinc.org so that the proper number of materials may be made available.

KHS Student Success Center Receives Generous Contribution from AT&T!

February 23, 2016/by

KHS Student Success Center Receives Generous Contribution from AT&T!

article by Meagan Ziegenfuss

In its three years of operation, the Student Success Center at Kingston High School has become a beacon for students looking to pave a path for their future. In collaboration with Family of Woodstock, this peer-led program trains and hires student mentors to assist fellow classmates with everything from college applications and employment skills training to homework help and tutoring. Now, the Student Success Center is receiving a boost from AT&T in the form of a $35,000 contribution! The AT&T organization has been a long time investor of programs that promote a socially innovative approach to college and career readiness and allow students, regardless of barriers, to achieve academic success.

“AT&T is proud to support Family of Woodstock’s Student Success Center to provide academic and programming support to some of Kingston’s most promising, but sometimes vulnerable students,” said Marissa Shorenstein, president of AT&T New York. “AT&T is committed to investing in the future success of our youth by partnering with community organizations like Family of Woodstock-organizations that give students the tools and support needed to graduate high school and obtain the skills required for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

In addition to continuing the efforts of the Student Success Center, Family of Woodstock will once again team up with Kingston High School to launch a new peer-led initiative, the Kingston Youth Leadership Council. The program will train high school students in leadership skills and give teens an opportunity to have a voice in their community.

“Family is deeply appreciative of the ongoing support given to our Student Success Center program by AT&T. As a result, the program has been able to help many Kingston High School students to focus on their future beyond high school and apply for aid to continue their studies,” said Michael Berg, Executive Director of Family of Woodstock, Inc. “We are excited at the prospect of developing a youth leadership program with the City and Kingston High School which will give our youth the opportunity to express their views on community issues important to them and their peers.”

Mayor of Kingston and KHS graduate, Steve Noble offered his support of the program. “As a mayor, this is exactly what I want to see-neighbors helping neighbors, youth helping youth. It’s a great opportunity for us to be able to work together with the City of Kingston, Family of Woodstock, and the AT&T foundation to be able to really make a creative, innovative program here at the high school and its been a really great success the last couple of years.”

The donation comes as the Kingston City School District is planning and refining the budget for the 2016-2017 school year. Creative partnerships, grant-funding, and monetary awards for innovative programming are an important part of balancing the school’s annual budget, as the KCSD continually seeks to provide the best education for students while keeping in mind the need for taxpayer relief.

“We’re thrilled to gain national recognition for this program,” said Superintendent Dr. Paul J. Padalino. “This award shines a spotlight on one of our educational best practices, and I am very proud to host it here in the KCSD.”

https://www.kingstoncityschools.org/news.cfm?story=114485&school=0
article by Meagan Ziegenfuss

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of our 5th Annual Chocolate Lovers Brunch!

February 8, 2016/by

On Behalf of the Chocolate Lovers’ Brunch Planning Committee, we want to thank everyone who attended or donated to the 5th Annual Chocolate Lovers’ Brunch on February 21st. We would also like to extend an extra thanks to our sponsors – Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern, Prestige of Kingston and Central Hudson. This year we had approximately 150 live and silent auction items donated by local businesses and supporters and raised $37,000 for our Adolescent Services Programming and to kick off our Solar campaign, ““Keep Our Shelters’ Lights On Forever.”.” We could not do it without your support and hope you will join us again next year – February 12, 2017!

Photos by Anne Coleman

Family of Woodstock, Inc. to celebrate 5th Annual Chocolate Lovers’ Brunch and Benefit Auction on Sunday, February 21st, raising funds for homeless and at-risk youth programming

Contact: Nicole Martin
845-331-7080 x155
nvillani@familyofwoodstockinc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ULSTER COUNTY, N.Y.: Family of Woodstock, Inc. to celebrate 5th Annual Chocolate Lovers’ Brunch and Benefit Auction on Sunday, February 21st, raising funds for homeless and at-risk youth programming.

Ticket sales have begun for Family of Woodstock, Inc’s 5th Annual Chocolate Lovers’ Brunch and Benefit Auction. The event will be held on Sunday, February 21st, 12pm-3pm, at the Diamond Mills Hotel and Tavern in Saugerties, N.Y.

“The Chocolate Lovers’ Brunch has the key elements that make me happy…chocolate, shopping and making a difference. The community of individuals and businesses awe me with their generosity. Everything about this event is joyful…from start to finish! It’s filled with kind hearts and chocolate!”- Merle Borenstein, Family of Woodstock, Board Member

Guests will enjoy listening to accomplished pianist, Andrea Shaut, while sipping complimentary specialty drinks and bidding on a tremendous selection of silent auction items. Guests will then move to the formal dining area, where a chocolate inspired brunch will be served. Following the decadent brunch, a spirited live auction will be hosted by James Cox of James Cox Gallery, with guests bidding on a broad array of fabulous auction items while enjoying a variety of chocolate dipped desserts. Some of the auction items include: a one-week stay in one of two private Cape Cod vacation homes; 2 private lessons with award-winning piano & organ player Bruce Katz; tickets to The Midnight Ramble; a guided kayak tour with new 2016 Mayor of Kingston Steve Noble; a custom made cartoon by New Yorker Cartoonist, John Cuneo; as well as beautiful jewelry, a variety of themed baskets and so much more!

“I’m so excited to be planning our 5th annual Chocolate Lovers’ Brunch. It’s not just a chocolate lovers’ delight but a spectacular event with the opportunity to bid on amazing gift baskets, fine jewelry, fun experiences, vacations, and more. We have some of the most exciting auction items this year, you are not going to want to miss out on attending this event!”- Tori Barnes, Family of Woodstock, Adolescent Services Program Director

Funds raised will go towards programs that serve at-risk youth, including: Family House, an emergency runaway and homeless youth shelter; MidWay, a transitional living program for older adolescents; and a broad array of family, school and community based programs, counseling and case management services. In addition, this brunch will mark the kick-off of Family’s new energy efficiency campaign, “Keep Our Shelters’ Lights On Forever.” Guests will learn about Family’s initiative to reduce the agency’s impact on the environment and lower the operational costs of the agency, by installing solar energy and other energy efficiencies, and will have the opportunity to contribute towards this exciting new effort.

“In order to ensure that our emergency shelters remain viable, so they are available for all Ulster County residents who are homeless, the agency is going to address energy inefficiencies and losses in all of the programs and install solar energy in all of the agency’s buildings for which it is feasible. By significantly lowering our cost of operation we can continue to raise salaries as part of the government’s effort to raise minimum wage.”- Michael Berg, Family of Woodstock, Executive Director

This event is made possible thanks to the enormous generosity of its sponsors, including the Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern, Prestige Toyota of Kingston, and Central Hudson.

For more information about sponsorship, donations or tickets, please contact Nicole Martin at 845-331-7080 x155 or at nvillani@familyofwoodstockinc.org.

Tickets ($60 per person) can also be purchased online through www.nycharities.org.
Online auction is now open at: https://www.myminiauction.com/familyofwoodstock

Family of Woodstock, Inc. is a network of individuals, paid and volunteer, whose mission is to provide confidential and fully accessible crisis intervention, information, prevention, and support services to address the needs of individuals and families. The scope of the agency’s vision allows us to bring to bear resources to address a broad spectrum of human problems.

Family of Woodstock Hotline Training starts February 13th

January 28, 2016/by

Are you interested in helping both your local and wider community? Are you that listening ear that friends and loved ones always seem to turn to? Are you interested in using the skills you have and building on your knowledge of helping? Family of Woodstock’s upcoming hotline training is just what you’re looking for!

Twice each year Family of Woodstock’s Hotline offers its amazing training for volunteers. It’s that opportunity time again– with a twist! Family’s Hotline Volunteer training starts February 13th, and along with the essential listening and crisis intervention training for our phone and walk-in center volunteers we are adding a new piece– and a new service! It’s time for our Family, just like yours, to start texting!

Text crisis lines are a new resource and have been incredibly useful for users. Family will launch textmeback during this upcoming year, and we need our volunteers trained and working in this new capacity. If you are thinking about how you might be more useful in our community and don’t know how or where, become a Family Volunteer. If you want to truly listen to others with your mind and your heart, please call today to sign up for the next Family of Woodstock Volunteer Training!

Training covers the core of Family’s phone and texting hotline and walk-in services. Training topics include domestic violence, child abuse, mental health and substance abuse, adolescent issues, suicide, and homelessness. You will learn active, compassionate listening skills and ways to connect with people in need.

Family offers an opportunity to be part of the change you wish to see in the world. Intervention is as simple as answering a phone call or text message at the moment someone reaches out. It is as direct as offering a cup of coffee and a bag of food to someone who is hungry. It takes your skill and the amazing depth of resources Family has gathered over its 45 year history.

Call 845-679-2485 to find out more and schedule an interview or stop by 16 Rock City Road in Woodstock to fill out an application. Bring a friend. Find out what it is you’ve been waiting to do.

Sue Carroll
scarroll@familyofwoodstockinc.org

…

SCHEDULE:
Saturday 2/13
9am to noon – Family Intro and Listening Skills
1pm to 4pm – Listening Skills and Relationship Building

Sunday 2/14
9:30am to 1pm – SafeTALK, suicide awareness

Wednesday 2/17
6pm to 9pm – History, Confidentiality and Mandated Reporting

Saturday 2/20
9am to 5pm – Youth Mental Health First Aid

Wednesday 2/24
6pm to 9pm – Domestic Violence Issues

Saturday 2/27
9am to noon – Safe planning, Imminent Risk and Mental Health issues
1pm to 4pm – Site Visits

Wednesday 3/2
6pm to 9pm – Ethics, Boundaries and Self Care

Wednesday 3/9
6pm to 9pm – Second level training for all staff

All trainings are held at 16 Rock City Road Woodstock unless otherwise noted. All trainings are mandatory. In case of inclement weather call 679-2485 one hour before scheduled training to check on status.

Everette Hodge Community Center After School Program. photo: Tania Barricklo, Daily Freeman

Everette Hodge Community Center After School Program – Daily Freeman Media Center

December 19, 2015/by

Tania Baricklo’s photos of the Everette Hodge Community Center After School Program featured in the Daily Freeman:
https://media.dailyfreeman.com/2015/12/11/photos-from-everette-hodge-center-after-school-program/

While this showcases a very small but valuable component of programming available at the Everette Hodge Community Center, the city’s environmental educators have offered a great deal more to our children than what can be pictured here. They adapt programming to meet the diverse learning styles of each of our children, and in doing so, they have created an environment in which children seek to learn even more.

The Hodge Center is owned by the City of Kingston and operated through a cooperative arrangement with the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department’s Environmental Education Program and Family of Woodstock’s Kingston Cares initiative. Funding for this unique partnership is provided by the City of Kingston Office of Community Development.

Learn more about Family’s Kingston Cares Initiative.

Darmstadt Shelter Celebrates 30th Anniversary

November 30, 2015/by

Darmstadt’s 30th Anniversary Open House
Wednesday December 9th, 4-7pm
40 Thomas Street, Kingston, NY 12401

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a wonderful celebration of this remarkable community resource.

Click here to read an article and watch a video by Time Warner Cable News’ Candace Dunkley about the Celebration:
https://www.twcnews.com/nys/hudson-valley/news/2015/12/9/family-of-woodstock-celebrates-30-years-of-service.html?cid=facebook_YNN-Hudson_Valley

On Christmas Eve 1985, in conjunction with the Kingston Area Council of Churches and the United Methodist Churches, Family opened the Kingston Shelter for the Homeless. Five years later, when the Pastor and the Regional Program Director, Ralph Darmstadt, was moved by the Methodist Church to Fleischmanns, Family renamed the shelter Darmstadt Shelter for the Homeless to acknowledge the remarkable commitment and spirit that Ralph had embodied in the program. In February 2001 the Darmstadt Shelter left the Wurst Street Church and occupied two rooms at the Kings Inn in order to continue to serve homeless families and individuals. In July of 2001, the Darmstadt Shelter received approval to open a 33 bed facility in the former Rug Den building on Thomas Street in Kingston. Family is proud of the literally thousands of people that have been helped by the shelter and is pleased to celebrate its 30th Anniversary this year.

Learn more about Darmstadt Shelter

Family’s Big $$$ Raffle

June 30, 2015/by

Would you like to win $20,000 and support a great cause? Our major fundraiser is back and offers a Grand Prize of $20,000, plus other cash prizes equaling $12,800. Everyone who purchases a ticket will receive free admission to the festivities held at HITS to the One Million Dollar Grand Prix. There are two drawings, The Early Bird which is on 7/26/15 with the top prize $1,000, two – $500 prizes and two – $100 prizes. The winning tickets will go back into the raffle for the main prizes. The Big $$$ Drawing is on 9/16/15 with the Grand Prize of $20,000; second prize $5,000; third thru seventh prizes $1,000 and eight thru tenth prizes $200. Tickets cost $50 each or 6 tickets for $250.

Through the generosity of Tom Struzzieri and HITS, everyone who purchases a raffle ticket will receive free admission to the SAUGERTIES $1 Million Dollar Grand Prix, presented by WELLS FARGO. Come early and watch some of the most skilled riders and their beautiful horses compete for the Saugerties Grand Prize. It’s a wonderful event for a great cause! The Big $$$ Raffle is Family’s major fundraiser and supports all of Family’s services. Family is a network of individuals, paid and volunteer, whose mission is to provide confidential, fully accessible crisis intervention, information, prevention, and support services. We believe that the common ground which unites us, both helper and helped, is greater than the differences which divide us, and that everyone deserves the respect and support of our larger community.

We don’t have to tell you that with your help, Family provides essential services throughout our community and we will never quit finding ways to make a difference. Buy one ticket for $50.00, buy five and get a sixth free… go in with four of your friends… or get a group to buy tickets together. You do need not to be present to win. Come celebrate with us at HITS in Saugerties on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 4:30pm and witness the drawing of the main prizes. Your support makes a huge difference.

Contact any Family staff person to purchase tickets or call (845) 331-7080 or print and fill out this form and mail to

FAMILY of Woodstock, Inc.
PO Box 3516
Kingston, NY 12402