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This page will have a copy of our latest organization newsletter.. The Bear facts
On October 22, 2009, Dr John Imhoff graciously invited Brigitte Castellano, my husband Vic and myself to a Foster care
and adoption appreciation dinner at the Westbury Manor in Westbury, New York. It was a lovely evening and wonderful
to see Dr. Imhof and his wonderful staff once again.
Dr. Imhoff presented me with a citation signed by Thomas Souzzi, the Nassau County Executive which read:
Nassau County office of the Executive
Citation
Whereas,
the County of Nassau is proud to recognize those outstanding
individuals
that render significant contributions for the
health and well being of our
residents
and communities and
Whereas, such an individual, Alaine Kaidash, has developed
a special teddy bear
donation program for the Nassau County Department of Social Services by
coordinating
volunteer
knitters from all across the United States: and
Whereas you, Alaine, have given so much of your time and effort to helping
young
people
and families through very difficult stages of their lives; and
Whereas, by your understanding of the
feelings of children in distress, you set
a wonderful
example of compassion, volunteerism, sensitivity and respect for
others;
NOW, THEREFORE, I Thomas R. Suozzi, Nassau County Executive, on this 22nd day of
October 2009, do hereby present
this citation to
Alaine Kaidash
on the occasion of the Annual DSS Foster Parents Dinner, and in fitting
recognition
and heartfelt appreciation of the exemplary and dedicated services
that you provide for the children and families of Nassau
County
signed Thomas R. Suozzi
County Executive
I was so very honored and even more so to have been presented it by Dr. Imhoff.
Thank you for such a wonderful honor and a wonderful evening.
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| Certificate of Appreciation |
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| received from Dennis Nowak Suffolk Cnty DSS 12/10/09 |
| Thank you letter dated April 26, 2010 |
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| Coalition against Domestic Violence at the Safe Place, Bethpage, NY |
| Thank You letter dated July 29, 2010 |
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| from the Coalition against Child Abuse and Neglect at the Safe Place, Bethpage, NY |
Letter received from Cynthia Scott Executive Director of the Coalition against Child abuse and Neglect after our last
bear delivery to Lauren Zucker, Director of Childrens Services. Letter reads:
Dear Alaine
On behalf of the Coalition against Child Abuse and Negect (CCAN, Thank you for your in-kind donation of child-friendly,
hand knitted bears to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) at the Safe Place.
Your donation of "Dont be afraid...I am here" bears have been a huge hit with the kids! The bears have been used in various
places and ways; at the CAC while children are being interviewed by child protective service workers or detectives, at the
District Attorney's office while children meeting with the Assistand District Attorney for trial proceedings, at the hospital
when a child has been taken to get a physical medical evaluaton, and in our very own therapy rooms where children have discussed
with our therapists, the ways in which they can move forward with their lives even after they have endured a traumatic experience.
Once again we are so grateful for your unique donations, which help us continue to provide CCAN's families with the innovative
advocacy, preventive and theraputic services offered at our Child Advocacy Center at the Safe Place.
On behalf of those children and their families, thank you for taking a part in the mission of being a voice for all children.
Sincerely
Cynthia Scott
Executive Director
| Article in Newsday on "The Safe Place" |
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| Bethpage, New York |
The Beginning of our bear giving...
Sept. 2010 100 bears given to Nassau County Department of Social Services, Uniondale, NY. Dr. John Imhof, Commissioner,
Maria Lauria, Director of Child Services
On December 4, 2009 we delivered 147 bears to replenish the bears we dropped off at the Nassau County DSS in Uniondale,
New York
On December 10, 2009, we delivered 125 bears to the Department of Social Services in Ronkonkoma to be used by
CPS and Emergency Services. Dennis Nowak received these bears and graciously sat for pictures to comemorate our first
drop off in Suffolk County.
He presented me with this Certificate of Appreciation which I was very honored to receive. Thank you Dennis.
March 10, 2010 we replenished Dr. Imhof's office at Nassau County DSS with 140 more bears
April 22, 2010 30 bears given to the Nassau County Coalition against Domestic Violence
April 22, 2010 50 bears given to the Nassau County Caolation against Child Abuse and Neglect
April 22, 2010 55 bears given to The Child Advocacy Center in Central Islip, New York
July 28, 2010 85 bears given to The Nassau Department of Social Services, Dr. Imhof's offices
July 28, 2010 60 bears given to The Coalition against Child Abuse and Neglect at the Safe Place, Bethpage,
NY
Aug 2, 2010 50 bears given to The Child Advocacy Center, Central Islip, NY
November, 2010 40 bears given to the Child Advocacy Center, Central Islip, NY
November 2010 40 bears given to the Coalition against Child abuse and Neglect at the Safe Place, Bethpage,
NY
December 2010 60 Bears given to the Dept of Human Sevices, Director of Child care workers, Uniondale, NY
April 2011 60 bears given to the Child Advocacy Center. Central Islip, NY
April 2011 60 bears given to The Safe House, Bethpage, NY
October 2011 85 bears given to the Child Advocacy Center, Central Islip, NY
March 27, 2012 48 bears given to The Safe House, Bethpage, New York
April 3, 2012 52 bears given to The Child Advocacy Center, Central Islip, NY
July 2012 65 bears given to the Child Advocacy Center, Central Islip,
NY
October 16, 2012 85 bears given to the Child Advocacy Center, Central Islip, NY
October 16, 2012 85 bears given to the Safe House, Coalition against Child Abuse and Neglect, Bethpage, NY
Bear Crafters Newsletter
written for a teacher but excellant for anyone who cares and loves a child:
Excerpt from: The Heart of a Teacher
by Paula Fox
The child arrives like a mystery box...
with puzzle pieces inside
some of the pieces are broken or missing...
and
others just seem to hide
But the HEART of a teacher can sort them out...
and help the child to see
the potential for greatness he has within...
a
picture of what he can be
Her goal isn't just to teach knowledge...
by filling the box with more parts
it's putting the pieces together...
and
creating a work of art
The process is painfully slow at times...
some need more help than others
each child is a work in progress...
with
assorted shapes and colors
First she creates a classroom...
where the child can feel safe in school
where he never feels threatened or afraid
to try...
and kindness is always the rule
She knows that a child
can achieve much more
when he feels secure inside
when he's valued and loved...
and
believes in himself
...and he has a sense of pride
She models and teaches good character...
and respect for one another
how to focus on strengths...not weaknesses
and
how to encourage each other
She gives the child the freedom he needs...
to make choices on his own
so he learns to become more responsible...
and
is able to stand alone
He's taught to be strong and think for himself...
as his soul and spirit heal
and the puzzle that's taking shape
inside...
has a much more positive feel
The child discovers the joy that comes...
from learning something new...
and his vision grows as he begins
to
see all the things that he can do
A picture is formed as more pieces fit...
an image of the child within
with greater strength and confidence...
and
a belief that he can win!
All because a hero was there...
in the HEART of a teacher who cared
enabling the child to become much more...
than
he ever imagined...or dared
A teacher with a HEART for her children...
knows what teaching is all about
she may not have all the answers...
but
on this...she has no doubt
When asked which subjects she loved to teach,
she answered this way and smiled...
"It's not the subjects that matter...
It's
all about teaching the CHILD."
We are always looking for new ideas and topics for the monthly newsletter. If you have an idea or would be interested
in writing an article, please let us know.
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