Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Protecting Children in Massachusetts A letter from the desk of MSPCC President & CEO Mary McGeown Dear Friends, There is perhaps no more important or complex responsibility that adults have than to ensure that children are safe and healthy. Children depend on adults to care for them and to protect them. It is our responsibility to support public policies that respect and promote the rights of all children and to intervene when we suspect a child is in jeopardy. Several months of headlines and horrific stories involving children in the care of the Department of Children and Families has left Massachusetts citizens and legislators rightly concerned by apparent failures in supervision and reporting, the scaffolding on which quality work is built. We at MSPCC hope that the Legislature passes and the Governor signs a budget with the resources DCF needs to deliver quality service and protect kids. In a larger sense, it is time for us to renew our dedication to protecting children by Chairman Stephen G. Pagliuca Summer 2014 devoting the intellectual, social, and financial capital to systems that support children and families in poverty, facing mental illness, abusing substances, and experiencing longterm unemployment. If a family is poor and disabled in some way, the bottom falls out for the children. If the family cannot do it, it does take the rest of the village to make sure kids are safe, prepared to learn, and emotionally and physically healthy every day. When it comes to caring for kids, I would like to see the same innovation in human service that we see in high tech; the same willingness to take on risk that we see in the investment industry; the same commitment to quality improvement we see in teaching hospitals; the same ardent commitment to mission that we see in faith communities; the same expectation and hope we feel when we look at our own children. Summoning even a little of that spirit, a little of that commitment, will change the odds for thousands of children. At MSPCC we have both, and we are grateful to all those who support us in our quest for healthy and happy children in our communities. Sincerely, Mary A. McGeown MSPCC Board of Directors Vice Chairman Susana B. Lopez Treasurer Michael F. Quinlan Board of Directors Clerk Barry S. Pollack Jerilyn Asher • Jeffrey J. Coté • Kevin Cronin • Maureen K. Flatley Robert P. Gittens • Greg Gordon • Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. • Lawrence S. Hamelsky Beth Kelly Kennedy • Leslee Lenoff Kiley • Richard McCarthy • Stuart Porter Robert L. Reynolds • Charles V. Senatore • R. Newcomb Stillwell MSPCC Holyoke 9 Sullivan Road Holyoke, MA 01040 413.532.9446 Hyannis 206 Breeds Hill Road Hyannis, MA 02601 508.775.0275 Jamaica Plain 3815 Washington Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 617.983.5800 Lawrence 439 South Union Street Lawrence, MA 01843 978.682.9222 Lowell 126 Phoenix Avenue Lowell, MA 01854 978.937.3087 Worcester 335 Chandler Street Worcester, MA 01602 508.753.2967 For more information about MSPCC please visit www.mspcc.org or connect with us on: Teen Parents Find Support, Success in MSPCC Programs Graduation and Recognition Ceremonies Held for Young Parents Across the State On a Spring day in Worcester, loved ones sat together with cameras and tissues in hand as they watched young women called up to the spotlight to accept a white rose and certificate, a common enough scene at this time of year. What distinguishes this group is that each is a young mother faced with the challenge of continuing her education while caring for her child and making ends meet financially. The 22nd annual Teen Parent Recognition Day, held by MSPCC’s Healthy Families program and a network of teen parenting programs in Worcester, honors young parents for working hard to get their families off to a good start. “Despite the odds, despite the obstacles, despite the social stigma, these young parents work hard for a better future. It is a privilege to work alongside them to offer support and guidance,” said Meghan McGuirk, Prevention Director for MSPCC Worcester. “To be recognized for doing something to better my child’s future and better myself in the process made me feel like I really overcame something. I don’t get congratulated a lot, it made want to keep going,” said Ledexy Seranno, the mother of an 18-month-old boy. Seranno started working with MSPCC when she was pregnant. In addition to teaching her about proper prenatal care and infant development, Seranno’s home visitor, Marie Flamer, provides much-needed support. With her help, Seranno graduated from high school, earned a certificate to begin a career in the medical field, and hopes to become a nurse. MassSPCC Above: Ledexy Seranno and Marie Flamer at Teen Parent Recognition Day in Worcester Below: MSPCC’s Healthy Families graduation ceremony in Lawrence “This program helps you believe you can go to college, get your own place, get a better future for you and your child,” said Seranno, who recently visited a college with Flamer. MSPCC helps more than 700 young parents across the state each year. The agency also holds annual graduation ceremonies for parents in Lawrence and Holyoke. MSPCC Revamps Website MSPCC.org is getting is getting a new look and feel that will be more user friendly and interactive, allowing providers to make referrals and families to request appointments online. Look for the new site this summer! @MSPCCBoston A Special Thank You Drive For Kids Golf Tournament MSPCC’s Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament was held on June 2. Above: A foursome from Breckinridge Capital Advisors, a Champion level sponsor of the event, enjoy a sunny day at Concord Country Club. 2 MSPCC would like to thank our friends at Primax and MSPCC Board Member Larry Hamelsky’s family and friends for donating duffle bags filled with clothes, books and toys for MSPCC to give to children when they are placed in foster homes. TOGETHER AGAINST ABUSE On April 17, friends of MSPCC gathered together to support the agency’s work to protect children and strengthen families at the Together Against Abuse Fundraising Dinner at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston. Stephen Pagliuca, Chairman of MSPCC’s Board of Directors, and Judy Pagliuca. Master of Ceremonies Jonathan Elias, Guest Speaker Angelina Reynoso, and MSPCC President and CEO Mary McGeown. Ariann Williams (left) and Cynthia Brennan (right) of the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation with Celtics Legend Cedric Maxwell and Mary McGeown. The Oladipo Sisters’ performing their ‘Song for America.’ MSPCC gratefully acknowledges the following organizations and individuals for their generous support. Leaders: Bain Capital Children’s Charity Ltd. • Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation • Stephen & Judy Pagliuca Benefactors: Steven & Deborah Barnes • Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Inc. • John & Stephanie Connaughton • Paul & Sandy Edgerley • Michael Krupka & Anne Kubik • Jonathan & Jeanne Lavine • The Red and Blue Foundation • Ropes & Gray LLP • Sensata Technologies • Sponsors: Berkshire Partners LLC • Wyc & Corinne Grousbeck • Putnam Investments • Patrons: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts • Fidelity Investments • The Kraft Group Katharine E. Merck • Normandy Real Estate Partners • The Parthenon Group PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP • Charles & Zalena Senatore Advocates: Alexander, Aronson, Finning & Co., P.C. • Beacon Health Strategies, LLC • Boston Children’s Hospital • Kevin Cronin Jonathan & Margot Davis • Denham Capital Management LP • Eastern Bank George T. Wilkinson, Inc. • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care • Hill Holliday • InterContinental Insurance Brokers, LLC • KDSA Consulting, LLC KPMG LLP • The MENTOR Network NSTAR • Mark & Jerilyn Tyrrell • Donors: Analytics Operations Engineering • The Boston Red Sox Foundation • Mitchell Burman & Samantha Trotman Burman • Citizens Energy Corporation • Robert C. Conron & Mary McGeown • Corey Cutler • Delta Dental/DentaQuest Foundation • Robert P. Gittens • Timothy T. Hilton • Greg & Barbara Gordon • Liberty Mutual • Joseph K. McCabe • Christopher McGeown & Nicole Missio • Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership • Partners HealthCare • Pioneer Investments • John & Gay Toomy • Yozell Associates Supporters: Bass River Pediatrics • Kate Sides Flather • Frank Herron & Sandra Urie Photos by Allan E. Dines 3 Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children 3815 Washington Street, Suite 2 Boston, MA 02130 617.587.1500 www.mspcc.org Volunteer Spotlight: The Birthday Ladies Each month, they come bearing gifts, cupcakes, and creative activities, and are met with much anticipation by dozens of bouncing children. “The Birthday Ladies,” as they have come to be known, are a group of generous volunteers who visit the children at MSPCC’s Kid’s Day After School program for a monthly birthday celebration. Susan Livingston, a longtime friend and donor of MSPCC, started the group in 2008 as way to help children more directly. “Our goal is to make sure the children are happy, having fun, and feeling safe, acknowledged and special,” she said. While the monthly visits have become a staple in the children’s lives, the women have found a special place in their hearts for their time with the kids. “I am so thrilled to see the birthday kids excited about being recognized and having the chance to enjoy themselves. They have a lot of stressful things in their lives and this is their chance to have fun,” Livingston said. After six years of organizing the group of volunteers, Livingston is passing along the torch to a new leader but will continue to visit the children for their birthdays. Thank you Susan for the many smiles you brought to MSPCC! Above: “The Birthday Ladies:” Leslie Koch, Sandy Vesty, Susan Livingston, Lynda Anderson, Suzanne Underwood, and Barbara Spring. Below: The group helps kids with a craft activity during a birthday celebration.