You can talk to
the President
about childhood
hunger
The USDA
Food and Nutrition Service is using webinars and email to hear
your ideas to end childhood hunger.
The agency
invites com- ments from state governments, local program
offices, private industry and advocacy groups, as well as
social service program participants via email and webinars.
USDA says it is welcoming suggestions as it
develops a comprehensive work plan to accomplish President
Obama's goal of to ending childhood hunger in the U.S. by
2015.
The next webinar
"listening
session" is:
Thursday,
December 3
1:30 pm to 3:00
pm
You must register first.
You can
also email your
ideas.
USDA is offering a comprehensive website that will update information it
receives.
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Unemployment taking serious toll
on kids
The November
11 edition of The New
York Times summarized several studies warning about the
prolonged effect of parents' unemploy- ment on their children.
From the newspaper:
"A recent
study
at the University of California, Davis, found that children in
families where the head of the household had lost a job were
15 percent more likely to repeat a grade. Ariel Kalil, a
University of Chicago professor of public policy, and Kathleen
M. Ziol-Guest, of the Institute for Children and Poverty in
New York, found in an earlier
study that adolescent children of low-income single
mothers who endured unemployment had an increased chance of
dropping out of school and showed declines in emotional
well-being.
"In the long term, children whose
parents were laid off have been found to have lower annual
earnings as adults than those whose parents remained employed,
a phenomenon Peter R. Orszag, director of the White House
Office of Management and Budget, mentioned in a speech last
week at New York University.
"A variety of
studies have tied drops in family income to negative effects
on children's development. But Dr. Kalil, a developmental
psychologist and director of the university's Center for Human
Potential and Public Policy, said the more important factor,
especially in middle-class households, appeared to be changes
in family dynamics from job loss.
"'The extent
that job losers are stressed and emotionally disengaged or
withdrawn, this really matters for kids,' she said."
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Teens need
your love (and gifts) too!
For 6th straight
year, Casey's Grill & Bar sponsors
holiday gift
drive for Washington County's teens
Bring a gift
to Casey's Sunday, December 13
between 4-6
p.m. and have some fun and food
 For the sixth consecutive year,
Casey's Grill & Bar in Wakefield is sponsoring a
holiday gift drive for Washington County's teens
in need. People who drop off an unwrapped gift on
Sunday, December 13 between 4-6 pm will be treated to
Santa, caroling, eggnog, cider and a complimentary
buffet.
"The gift drive has
become an important tradition for us at Casey's," says
General Manager Noelle Brousseau. "Every year has been
more more fun. It's a wonderful way to serve a group of
kids who are often forgotten at a time when they should
feel closest to their
communities."
Brousseau reports
that local businesses, charitable organizations, and
community members, including many URI students and
faculty members, collected almost $4,000 worth of gifts,
gift certificates, and cash donations last
December.
The Washington County
Coalition for Children (WCCC) distributes the gifts to
local human services agencies who serve families with
teens.
"Casey's has been a
fantastic and generous partner," notes WCCC Coordinator
Susan Orban. "With just one part-time staffperson, we
depend on area sponsors and volunteers to help us take
care of those left behind. Casey's always steps
up."
Lots
of gift possibilities
Orban
suggests that ideas for teen gifts include: T-shirts,
pajamas, slippers, hooded sweatshirts, caps, socks, Red
Sox jersey/cap, watches, skateboards, sports equipment,
MP3 music players, board games, or arts and craft
supplies.
"You can also think
'stocking stuffers," she adds, "such as nail polish, lip
gloss, toiletries, body lotion, perfume/cologne, hair
clips, jewelry, stationery, address books, disposable
cameras, or CDs."
She also
proposes gift certificates from area merchants and
restaurants for meals, bike supplies, music, DVDs,
books, clothing, sporting goods, manicures, hair salon,
movie passes, sports events, bowling, skating, ice
cream, pizza, or fast-food.
"We
also accept cash donations," Orban points
out.
If
you can't make it to Casey's
on December 13, call
the Coalition
People who
would like to donate but can't make it to Casey's on
December 13 can contact Orban at wccc@washcokids.org or
(401) 788-2061 to make other arrangements.
"Everyone on our
staff contributes in some way to make the gift drive
successful each year," says Brousseau. "The joy and
holiday spirit can truly be felt throughout the
restaurant. I hope donors will stay and celebrate the
season with us."
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Holiday
resources for families in need
Your
neighbors are delivering food baskets and gifts
over
Thanksgiving and Christmas in the coming
weeks.
Churches, social services agencies, food
pantries, and health centers in nearly every town in
South County are delivering food and gifts this
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
If
you know a family a need, want to make a donation, or
might want to volunteer, click here for a location and a contact
person near you to call
today.
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What you need to know about
the WCCC
The
Washington County Coalition for Children brings together
everyone in Washington County who cares about children.
The Coalition is known for:
- Tracking and publishing the trends in
children's issues, and convening public meetings
around the needs.
- Convening monthly meetings that bring
together more than 40 organizations
to tackle the
most compelling problems facing children and their
families.
- Establishing a website to help
parents of children with mental health and substance
abuse problems connect with local treatment
providers
- Sponsoring an annual "How Are the
Children?" Forum, a must-attend event
for anyone
working on children's issues: community leaders,
advocates, and elected officials.
- Holding monthly workshops to help
doctors and mental health professionals care for
children with behavioral health problems and
developmental disabilities.
- Organizing a holiday gift drive for
teens in conjunction with Casey's Grill & Bar in
Wakefield.
The
Coalition achieves astounding results, with just one
part-time staff person, dedicated volunteers, and
administrative support from VNS Home Health Services.
We cover all Coalition costs through voluntary
contributions of
Coalition members, grants, and your generous
donations.
For more information about the Washington County
Coalition for Children,
go to www.washcokids.org or contact
Coalition Coordinator Susan Orban at wccc@washcokids.org or (401)
788-2061.
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