Summer Learning &Enrichment ProgramThe Children’s Friend Summer Learning & Enrichment Program helps combat summer learning loss and maintain social skills for vulnerable children. The program provides a safe place for children to be each day, with balanced meals and snacks, and educational activities.

Please enjoy these wonderful photos of our kids learning, growing, and enjoying their summer!

September Newsletter

2017 Annual Meeting

Thursday, June 8th marked our 183rd Annual Meeting with a gathering of 400+ staff, Board members, and special guests, including the new Director of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Trista D. Piccola, Ph.D.

Dr. Piccola spoke about the need for change in our child welfare system and her belief that together we can achieve great things for the vulnerable young children of Rhode Island.

We celebrated staff awards for five, ten, and fifteen years of service. Children’s Friend also paid a special tribute to our longtime partner, Panera Bread, for their generosity, leadership, and continued volunteerism. Over the last fifteen years, Panera Bread has raised over $500,000 for our programs and services, and has led the way in planning and participating in our events throughout the year.

From our 5K Walk & Run sponsored by Panera Bread held each spring, to the Investing in Our Children Luncheon in the fall, and the Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive each December, Panera Bread is by our side in everything we do. We cannot thank them enough for their steadfast commitment to our children and families.

Children’s Friend also posthumously presented the agency’s highest honor, the Michelle Norris Award, to our friend, colleague, and Head Start champion, Kimberly Pettaway, who passed away last spring. This award is a highlight of the event each year, named in memory of Michelle Norris, a Central Falls first grader who was abducted from her neighborhood and murdered in 1988. The award memorializes not only Michelle, but also all children whose lives are lost to violent crime and poverty.

Kim was a skilled educator, tireless advocate, and true champion for our most vulnerable children. Her outstanding work ethic, boundless energy, and warm smile positively impacted thousands of children and their families through her 25+ years of dedicated service to Head Start. She is missed every day, but her legacy lives on in our classrooms.

It’s so important to celebrate these milestones and remember the remarkable folks who have made Children’s Friend what it is, an agency that is truly committed to our most vulnerable young children and their families.

Thank you all for what you do every day.

Save the DateW e d n e s d a yO c t o b e r 1 8 , 2 0 1 7

15th AnnualInvesting in Our ChildrenLuncheon

Visit our website for more information or contact Stacy Couto, Vice President External Affairs, at 401.276.4306 or scouto@cfsri.org.

investinginourchildren.org

Letter from the President Dear Friends,

Summers seem to fly by here at Children’s Friend. We are already beginning a new school year.

This summer has been a busy one. Thanks to

your generosity, we served almost 200 children in the Summer Learning & Enrichment Program. The amazing experiences of water parks, beaches, petting zoos, and kite flying that our kids enjoy and learn from are only possible because of your support.

Much of our attention this summer has been focused on working to make needed improvements in Rhode Island’s child welfare system. Despite some movement in the right direction, our child welfare system remains a very fragile system in crisis that is not adequately protecting our most vulnerable children.

The new leadership at DCYF brings much experience, knowledge, and compassion to our child welfare system. Working with the new leadership and stake-holders throughout the state, we will implement needed improvements to strengthen the system.

We all have much more work to do and to advocate for, to ensure that every child in Rhode Island grows and develops in a safe, healthy, loving, and stable family.

With your continued support, Children’s Friend will continue to serve and advocate for our youngest and most vulnerable children.

Thank you,

David Caprio

Thomas Howley - VP of Development for Howley Bread Group, Franchisee of Panera Bread; Bahjat Sharrif - VP of Operations for Howley Bread Group, Franchisee of Panera Bread; William J. Allen - Chairman, Children’s Friend Board of Directors; David Caprio - President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Friend

David Caprio - President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Friend; Amanda Henry - niece of Kimberly Pettaway; Rita Tavares-Burk - Lead Teacher at Children’s Friend; William J. Allen - Chairman, Children’s Friend Board of Directors

Children’s Friend employees receiving staff longevity awards

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Trista D. Piccola, Ph.D., Director of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Invest in Our Most Vulnerable ChildrenMaking a planned gift is a wonderful way to ensure that Children’s Friend and its mission to improve the well-being and healthy development of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable young children is secure in perpetuity.

For more information, please contact Stacy Couto, Vice President External Affairs, at 401.276.4306 or scouto@cfsri.org.

On the Job TrainingDid you know that involved fathers can help their children develop good self-esteem, positive behavior patterns, and success in school? Our Dads Job Training program provides resources to help fathers have a positive impact on their children’s lives. The Kathy & Brian MacLean Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation recently awarded Children’s Friend a grant to provide comprehensive services to our dads. We have been able to expand our training opportunities through partnerships with both The Steel Yard and Groundworks RI. Along with our long-time partner, J&A General Contractors. This new, comprehensive program has introduced participants to basic facilities construction and maintenance, metal working, and environmental services.

Throughout the 12 weeks, Dads also receive Job Readiness Training (resume writing, job search techniques, effective interviewing skills) as well as Soft Skills Training (effective communication in the workplace, managing expectations, and dealing with conflict on the job).

What makes our job training program so unique is our holistic approach. Seeing a father’s role as more than just “bringing home the bacon,” we provide workshops in Child Development – A Father’s Impact, Developing Values in Children, and Relationships: Being a Friend, Partner, Parent and Employee.  

When our fathers succeed, our children succeed!