Thursday, January 7, 2016

Valley United Way grant allows PCRC in Derby to offer drama therapy

DERBY - The Parent Child Resource Center has received a $4,000 grant from Valley United Way to provide drama therapy programming within its Intensive Outpatient Program.
The program serves children and adolescents ages 6 to 18 with mental health issues. 

PCRC is one of seven Connecticut agencies who participated in a learning collaborative with Creative Alternatives of New York to implement this proven and innovative therapy, which clinicians use to help kids identify their feelings using acting and metaphors.

“Drama therapy is a proven method of treatment for children’s mental health, which has truly enhanced our IOP over the years. In partnering with Valley United Way, PCRC will be able to grow this important programming that enables children to thrive in our community,” said Michael Wynne, Chief Executive Officer at PCRC.

Approximately 80 percent of the children in the IOP have experienced some form of serious trauma, many coming from struggling families and, in some cases, have had frequent changes in the location and condition of their home life. 
Children who have experienced trauma are commonly unable to accurately identify and express their emotions. Drama Therapy is an evidence-based method, proven to help children unlock those emotions in a progressive and positive way.

Clinicians and group leaders encourage children to play roles as they act out scenes. Children are, then, able to say, “I am like this person in this way,” or “I don’t like when this person acts this way, because it hurts people.” Younger children especially enjoy playing villains or heroes where it is appropriate for them to express negativity, because they are merely demonstrating the feelings of their character. 
Skilled clinicians will help them understand their reactions to such feelings and their context in daily life.

Drama Therapy has proven its effectiveness within groups at PCRC. Likewise, Drama Therapy training is useful for clinicians. IOP Coordinator Laini Minalga said, “In the first year of Drama Therapy training, I grew more as a ‘clinician in the room’ than at any other time. I learned to be comfortable going with the feelings of the group, even when they were negative by having the group act out what they were feeling and discuss it in a collective manner.”

According to the CANY Training Manual (2014), “The CANY model is rooted in the belief that the group itself serves as the therapeutic agent, meeting the maturational needs of its members through the reparative relationships that are formed and played out in the group. The interactive process of creating stories and building dramas offers opportunities for connection, interpersonal identification and the development and restoration of relationships of trust in the here-and-now of the group.”

In the 2015 year, this training served an average of 105 children in the IOP program, a number that is expected to be matched in the coming year. 
With this funding from Valley United Way, PCRC will have four new CANY-trained clinicians. These monies will also cover the costs of a certification fee, trainings and general funding necessary to provide this therapy.


The PCRC Intensive Outpatient Program serves children ages 6 to 18 experiencing difficulty meeting school, family or social expectations due to serious emotional, behavioral and social disturbances.  Children attend daily group sessions emphasizing problem-solving and relaxation skills, emotional expression, learning how emotions and actions work together and how to identify and change behavioral and social disturbances.


This is a press release from the Parent Child Resource Center.

Ansonia Library to hold scarf tying program

Photo from Ansonia Library website 

ANSONIA - Ansonia Library, 53 S. Cliff St., will hold a free program on scarf tying from 11 a.m.-noon Jan. 30.
We will be showing you the basics, along with some more advanced ties. 
Be sure to bring a scarf or two to practice with (we will have a few available too)! 

Registration is required; space is limited. 
To register, call the Library at 203-734-6275.


This is a press release from Mary Ann Capone, Director, Ansonia Library.  

Spooner House in Shelton expresses gratitude for generous donations

SHELTON - Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, provided 649 holiday meals during November and December, according to a release from the organization operated by Area Congregations Together, Inc.

The release continues below:

During the months of November and December, Spooner House was able to provide 649 households in the lower Naugatuck Valley with a holiday meal, which included a frozen turkey and all the fixings. 

We couldn't have done it without the support of the community, through food drives and complete meal basket donations. 

Thank you so much to the wonderful organizations listed below and the countless individuals who pitched in this holiday season to help us be able to serve our neighbors in need.


 
Zion Lutheran Church | St. Joseph High School Junior Varsity Cheerleaders | Lexicon Relocation | THULE | Pitney Bowes | Shelton AARP | Mead Elementary School | St. Rose of Lima Parish Social Concerns Committee | Taylor Made Fitness | Dental Associates of Connecticut | BlumShapiro | Bungay Elementary School | Chatfield-LoPresti Elementary School | Seymour  Middle School | Five Star Products | Circle of the Sacred Well | Tutor Time Shelton | Precision Resource | Turner Construction | Stelray Plastic Products | NovaMed Corp. | First Church of Christ Woodbridge | Creative Minds Academy | St. Joseph Church Shelton | Sila Solutions Group | Solium Transcentive | William Raveis | Unilever | St. Mary - St. Michael School | St. Joseph School | Frontier Communications | UnitedHealthcare | Aquarion | CCL Label | Precision Aerospace Inc. | Derby Middle School | Sylvan Dance Studio | Hubbell Inc. | CDW | HealthPlanOne | Johnson Electric | Webster Bank | Remedy Partners | Aquinas Consulting | BTX Global Logistics | Children's Studio for the Performing Arts | Clancy Relocation & Logistics | St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church Ladies' Society | Shady Knoll Health Center | Panthean Temple | Physician One Urgent Care Derby | PerkinElmer | Girl Scout Troop #60058 | St. Thomas the Apostle Church | Sai Systems International | Oxford Parks and Recreation | Shelton KinderCare | Orchid Orthopedic Design | TD Bank Shelton | Inline Plastics | The Redwing Pond House Preschool | Child's Garden Daycare | Serra and DelVecchio Insurance Group | Anglican Church of the Resurrection | Seymour United Methodist Church | Pumpkin Patch Daycare | Knights of Columbus Newtown | St. Vincent's College 2nd Year Radiography Students | Derby, Milford, and Shelton Adams | Smile Dental Center | Rehabilitation Associates | People's United Bank Drive Up Shelton | Jones Family Farms | St. Mary's Derby Knights of Columbus | L2 Innovate Computers & Technology | ANN INC | Sikorsky Finance Department | Advanced Radiology | Mutual Security Credit Union | Girl Scout Troop #60394 | Huntington Congregational Church | Foundation for Life (MetLife) | American Legion Auxiliary Unit 16 Shelton | Girl Scout Troop #60459 | Girl Scout Troop #64164 | J. Videira's Paving | Lincoln Technical Institute Shelton | Happy Day Preschool | Christ Church Preschool | Wells Fargo Shelton | All-Star Transportation | Shelton High Youth2Youth | Ansonia and Shelton Stop & Shop | St. Vincent's House of Hope

Once again, thank you so much for your support in helping us provide our neighbors in need with a holiday meal as well as support from all the volunteers who helped assemble and distribute the meal baskets. 
We couldn't have done it without you!

(We apologize if we have accidentally omitted anybody from the list.)
And a big thank you to our monthly meal groups!
At Spooner House, we have 22 groups who provide an evening meal for our residents on the same day each and every month. 
We want to extend a big thank you to all of our groups for their time, effort, and generosity given each month!

Holy Rosary Ansonia | Church of the Good Shepherd Seymour | Christ Episcopal Stratford | Oxford Greens | St. Augustine's Seymour | Huntington Congregational Church | St. Jude's Church Derby | Huntington United Methodist Church | First United Methodist Church | Great Hill United Methodist Church | Trinity Lutheran Church | Seymour Evangelical Baptist Church | Il Palio | Congregation Or Shalom | Seymour Congregational Church | Oxford Congregational Church | Seymour Methodist Church | St. Thomas the Apostle Oxford | St. Mary's Church Derby | Immanuel Lutheran Church Oxford | Assumption Church


Classic movies, donuts, matinees offered at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has started a new weekly series for ages 18 and over, 
Tuesday Morning Donuts and Movie Classics, at 10 a.m. Tuesdays.   


Each week a popular movie classic will be shown and donuts will be provided. 
A listing of scheduled movies will be posted at the Library.  
Movie suggestions are welcomed.  
Registration is requested.  

Wednesday matinees
The Derby Public Library continues its weekly Wednesday Movie Matinees series for ages 18 and over.
Newly released DVDs will be shown at 1 p.m. every Wednesday.
Light snacks will be provided. Registration is requested.  

For a list of featured films or information on any programs, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., or call 203-736-1482.   


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.   

Ansonia Library schedules Social Security workshop

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Library, 53 S. Cliff St., will host a Social Security workshop from 2-3 p.m. Jan. 13, and again from 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 20.

When to collect Social Security may be the single most important decision you make when it comes to your retirement. 
There are a number of common mistakes people make when signing up for benefits. A most basic one is, don’t assume you can draw full benefits at age 65. The rules have changed.
This is a great opportunity to learn key concepts you need to know before applying for Social Security. 
Several little-known strategies may boost lifetime benefits and increase retirement income by tens of thousands. 
We will inform you about: How Social Security benefits are calculated and the advanced planning required to increase them. 
Why married couples can miss out on significant lifetime sums. (We suggest spouses attend.) Special strategies for married couples, divorced individuals, and minor children, and case studies that will show you the advantages of some of these strategies.

Please join hosts Michael Alimo and David Weyner of USA Financial as they help you navigate important retirement decisions.

For more information or to register, call the Library, 203-734-6275.


This is a press release from Mary Ann Capone, Director, Ansonia Library.

Basement Systems in Seymour to host blood drive Friday


Sharing from the Facebook page of the Office of Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller.


Seymour Pink to host 7th annual wine tasting



I saw this on Facebook and wanted to share to support one of my favorite Valley nonprofits, Seymour Pink

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host workshop on living with chronic illness

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host a free six-week workshop to help individuals diagnosed with chronic conditions take back control of their lives.

The Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop provides health information and strategies to help those with chronic conditions like diabetes, depression, heart disease, arthritis, and pain and anxiety increase their energy and take control of their health. 

The workshop will be held from 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 4 to March 10 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

The Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Social Services Aging Services Division, Connecticut Department of Public Health, and Griffin Hospital.


To register, call Esther Jones at Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program at 203-732-1523.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby slates open houses


DERBY - St. Mary-St. Michael School, 14 Seymour Ave., will hold several open houses during Catholic Schools Month.  
Parents are invited to visit the school any Tuesday during January.  

Open house will be held each Tuesday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. In addition, an open house will be held this Sunday from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

To be eligible for Kindergarten, children must be 5 years old by Dec. 31, 2016.  The school also offers a flexible Pre-K Program for 3-and 4-year old children, which may be full time or part time.  
St. Mary-St. Michael’s Pre-K gives children the freedom to explore the world around them and the structure to develop social skills, solve problems and become an active learner who is preparing for kindergarten.

St. Mary-St. Michael School is a Pre-K-Grade 8 School offering:

  • Full day kindergarten
  • Small class sizes
  • A safe learning, nurturing environment
  • Before and after school program (7 a.m.-6 p.m.)
  • Band and Drama Club
  • iPad Learning; e-books for grades 7 and 8 history
  • Algebra for qualifying 8th grade students
  • Basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball
  • After school Art Enrichment, Chess Club and Girl Scouts
  • Spanish (K-8)
  • Full accreditation by NEASC
  • Monthly community service projects


For more information, call 203-735-6471.


This is a press release from the school.

Treasured Time event Saturday to benefit Derby family

Mark Lanzieri of Ansonia to perform at 'A Night to Remember.'/Contributed photo













DERBY - Treasured Time will host a fun night of great music at 6 p.m. Saturday at Derby High School, 6 Nutmeg Ave. to benefit its mission of granting the wishes of parents with life-threatening illnesses.

“A Night to Remember” will feature four musical performances by popular area entertainers. 
Paula Bogart-Pettinella takes the stage at 6 p.m. singing the classics of Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline and other popular songs of the late 50s and 60s. 
Modern-day crooner Mark Lanzieri will start at 7:15 p.m. performing songs out of the American Songbook and Golden Era including Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. 
Flying Meat takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. with its original rock music, specifically tailored and written for the City of Derby, and The Gamma Rays close out the night at 9:45 p.m. playing hits of the '80s and '90s.

Admission is $10 for adults; children 16 and under are free. Additional donations are welcome throughout the night. 

There will be snacks and drinks available for purchase. Attendees can also take their chances in a 50/50 raffle. This event was organized by Mark Searles and Flying Meat with all proceeds being donated to Treasured Time, a Valley-based nonprofit organization.
Treasured Time is currently fundraising for eight families. 

The organization’s most recent wish is being granted to Jodi Chevarella, 44, of Derby. 
She was diagnosed in 2010 with Stage 2 Invasive Breast Cancer, and underwent chemotherapy, radiation and 11 surgeries in a year to remove the cancer and perform reconstruction surgeries. Her cancer recently resurfaced and she has been diagnosed with Stage 4, Her2 Metastatic Breast Cancer. 
This past year she received radiation again and is currently undergoing chemotherapy and hormone treatment. Chevarella  is continuing to fight and keep positive during this difficult and uncertain time. She wants the opportunity to be able to create a lasting memory with her family by going on a cruise with her loving husband, Dave, and their four children: Anna, 16, David, 14, Isabelle, 12 and Genna, 10. 
They have never been on a cruise and this is something she has always wanted to do. Treasured Time will be granting Jodi’s wish in the summer of 2016.

For more information about the event, contact Jenn at 203-446-1068 or jenn@treasuredtime.org.

Treasured Time, Inc. is a CT based 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to grant the wishes of parents with life threatening illnesses who want to create a lasting memory with their children.  
With your help, Treasured Time, Inc. can provide families with the “Gift of Moments.”
To see how you can help make a difference, visit www.treasuredtime.org.





Treasured Time event Saturday to benefit Derby family

Mark Lanzieri of Ansonia to perform at 'A Night to Remember.'/Contributed photo













DERBY - Treasured Time will host a fun night of great music at 6 p.m. Saturday at Derby High School, 6 Nutmeg Ave. to benefit its mission of granting the wishes of parents with life-threatening illnesses.

“A Night to Remember” will feature four musical performances by popular area entertainers. 
Paula Bogart-Pettinella takes the stage at 6 p.m. singing the classics of Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline and other popular songs of the late 50s and 60s. 
Modern-day crooner Mark Lanzieri will start at 7:15 p.m. performing songs out of the American Songbook and Golden Era including Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. 
Flying Meat takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. with its original rock music, specifically tailored and written for the City of Derby, and The Gamma Rays close out the night at 9:45 p.m. playing hits of the '80s and '90s.

Admission is $10 for adults; children 16 and under are free. Additional donations are welcome throughout the night. 

There will be snacks and drinks available for purchase. Attendees can also take their chances in a 50/50 raffle. This event was organized by Mark Searles and Flying Meat with all proceeds being donated to Treasured Time, a Valley-based nonprofit organization.
Treasured Time is currently fundraising for eight families. 

The organization’s most recent wish is being granted to Jodi Chevarella, 44, of Derby. 
She was diagnosed in 2010 with Stage 2 Invasive Breast Cancer, and underwent chemotherapy, radiation and 11 surgeries in a year to remove the cancer and perform reconstruction surgeries. Her cancer recently resurfaced and she has been diagnosed with Stage 4, Her2 Metastatic Breast Cancer. 
This past year she received radiation again and is currently undergoing chemotherapy and hormone treatment. Chevarella  is continuing to fight and keep positive during this difficult and uncertain time. She wants the opportunity to be able to create a lasting memory with her family by going on a cruise with her loving husband, Dave, and their four children: Anna, 16, David, 14, Isabelle, 12 and Genna, 10. 
They have never been on a cruise and this is something she has always wanted to do. Treasured Time will be granting Jodi’s wish in the summer of 2016.

For more information about the event, contact Jenn at 203-446-1068 or jenn@treasuredtime.org.

Treasured Time, Inc. is a CT based 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to grant the wishes of parents with life threatening illnesses who want to create a lasting memory with their children.  
With your help, Treasured Time, Inc. can provide families with the “Gift of Moments.”
To see how you can help make a difference, visit www.treasuredtime.org.