Malta House Summer Newsletter 2013
Content
On The Move
the newsletter of
www.maltahouse.org
norwalk, ct spring/summer 2013
Dressed For Success
>
Malta House resident Brieanna eagerly attends employment workshops within Malta House to prepare her for job searching. She is confident and ready for employment! “Dress For Success” is a local program providing career clothing donations to support women who need to look their best for job interviews. Malta House residents are taking full advantage of this terrific program and are finding success. We’re so proud of Brieanna and our other residents as they step closer towards independence.
Malta House Spruces Up
Simple touches in reorganizing the living space of our residents have made Malta House “more like home.” – See article on page 7.
Photo by Lucy Freeman.
Brieanna heading out to an interview. Claim that job!
<
“I call Malta House ‘God’s House,’ and the people who work there ‘Angels!’” – Laila, former resident
On The Move
Meet Our New Staff | Case Managers Claudia Nixon and Heather Castro
< Claudia Nixon (standing) and Heather Castro outside Malta House with the new van, a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The van is utilized for regular trips to the supermarket, field trips, and parenting classes at Saint Joseph Parenting Center in Stamford. Photo by Audrey Cozzarin.
malta house
www.maltahouse.org
New Planned Giving Program
Malta House is proud to announce the launch of the St. Gerard Majella Planned Giving Society established to recognize people who are planning for gifts today that will provide benefits to Malta House, Inc. in the future. These gifts may take the form of bequests, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance or other types of charitable planned gifts. Sometimes such gifts go unrecognized because they come at the end of the donor’s life. The St. Gerard Majella Planned Giving Society provides a way for the Malta House to recognize and thank donors during their lifetimes. Members of the St. Gerard Majella Planned Giving Society will be recognized in Malta House, Inc. printed materials and invited to periodic events. Many of our Board members and staff are available. Please contact Jennifer Mitchell at [email protected] or call 203-857-0088 if you would like to set up a meeting.
St. Gerard Majella, patron saint of expectant mothers. (Illustration by Audrey Cozzarin).
and like, Claudia, brings her background in perfect step with the needs of Malta House.
C
Heather says, “As a spiritual person, I believe in preserving life. The Catholic roots of Malta House really resonate with me, and I truly enjoy the opportunity to work with families. My work at Laurel House focused on individuals with serious mental illness. At Malta House, the mission is more in tune with me.” Both case managers work hard as guides and role models to the women of Malta House, helping with issues of selfesteem in building trust and strength to succeed. “Our goal is to have every Malta House resident be a success story–to leave with housing, a job, and a bright future,” say both Claudia and Heather. “We provide support the residents may not have received in their original families.” Both women welcome the arrival of new residents to Malta House, introducing them to the other moms in hope that friendships can bloom. Self-responsibility and social skills are important in gaining independence, and the residents are in very capable hands.
atching up with Claudia Nixon and Heather Castro is not always easy: They are busy ladies. Malta House is indeed very fortunate to have this team of case managers and we’d like all of you to get to know them better. Claudia’s background is in independent living skills training, with emphasis on cultural and linguisticallychallenged minorities. She holds a B.S. in Sign Language Interpretation from the University of New Hampshire, Manchester. Claudia’s past career translates well to the Malta House population. And, she says, “As a (divorced) mother of two, I understand the plight of new mothers... the problems of feeding, burping, and colic, and the associated frustrations. Since I’m older, and hopefully wiser, I can share my own experience with the residents.” A nickname Claudia’s son gave her, “Mama Clauds,” is used now at Malta House when Claudia is invited to soothe a particularly fussy baby. Heather is currently working toward an M.S.W. at Fordham University (Westchester campus), and holds a B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut, Stamford. Before her position at Malta House, Heather was a supported education and employment specialist at Laurel House in Stamford
Ice Cream Social
April 27, 2013 • Malta House Courtyard Malta House residents, former residents, and their children joined staff and friends for ice cream, games, and fun on a sunny day! It was a great way for current and past residents to get together for a relaxing visit.
Mother’s Day Lunch
May 10, 2013 • Malta House Dining Room The staff and volunteers of Malta House hosted a lovely Mother’s Day luncheon for residents on May 10 in the newly redecorated dining room. Lunch consisted of tuna and chicken salads, green leaf salad, Stew Leonard’s baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and pie for dessert. Residents were treated to a gift basket of bath and body products, donated by the Junior League of Stamford & Norwalk.
Photos top left and right: Enjoying the Ice Cream Social; middle right, bottom and center: At the Mother’s Day Luncheon.
“We’re here to help Malta House residents find a path to success along their journey.”
– heather castro, case manager
“Our residents know we’re a team that’s here to help them improve their lives. The more they are uplifted, the better parents they can be.”
– claudia nixon, case manager
2
3
On The Move
malta house
www.maltahouse.org
< From left: Debbie Campbell, Kathy Weaver, and Carolyn Slapnicka. Malta House Spring Gala at Shorehaven Golf Club, Norwalk, CT, April 28, 2013. > < Malta House executive director Lucy Freeman gave remarks, illuminating on Malta House’s new initiatives for guests at the gala. > Broadway performer Frank Mastrone serenaded the honorees Bill and Mary Beth Fessler – a surprise – with “their” song, “Truly” by Lionel Ritchie.
O
Malta House Spring Gala – A Great Night!
ur annual gala on Sunday, April 28 at Shorehaven Golf Club in East Norwalk was a well-attended, elegant event on a stellar sunny spring evening. We were pleased to honor Bill and Mary Beth Fessler. For over 15 years, Dr. Fessler has provided dentistry services to the mothers and children of Malta House and is on our board of trustees. Mary Beth is a long-time Malta House board member and volunteer. The Fesslers are co-chairs of the CT area Order of Malta. The gala evening included a cocktail reception on the veranda, fun “Bubbles & Bling” raffle, dinner, a surprise serenade, silent and live auction, and matching gifts segment… High spirits and successful fund- and friend-raising, for this blessed and important cause. Malta House thanks the generous sponsors, donors, and guests whose support graced us with a beautiful gala this year.
< Michael and Cyndi Niedermeier enjoying the warm evening with Fr. Tom Driscoll who married gala honorees Bill and Mary Beth Fessler.
Lynn Friedberg made an impassioned appeal for matching grants towards the “Partnering Success” program. < A view of the gala dining room.
Malta House co-founder and board member Michael O’Rourke welcomed guests.
>
>
Malta House co-founder Hope Carter (left) and Kelly Weldon.
>
From left: Malta House board member Brian Tremblay and his wife, Susan, are joined by Joe Dineen and his wife Ann Quinn.
Laila, former Malta House resident, gave moving remarks as her 5-year-old daughter Sarahya listened. > Live auction item “Dames For Dinner” was terrific fun and helped kick-off a successful fundraising effort for Malta House.
>
4
5
>
On The Move
Money Matters
Managing finances is a challenge for all of us, and at Malta House, residents get a course in “Money Matters” by advisors at First County Bank. The classes are designed to provide residents with a working knowledge of account types, how to read their statements, setting up accounts, how to set up and follow budgets, and other financial topics. This spring, First County Bank-Stamford advisors Peter Olson and Freeman Hardison (pictured in photo below, left and right respectively) lead a 6-week course for Malta House residents.
malta house
www.maltahouse.org
Community Plates
The big crates of food donated by Community Plates arrive each Saturday morning to Malta House, and staffers and moms work together to distribute and put the food items away. Community Plates is a non-profit organization with regional branches that gather donated foodstuffs and produce from Trader Joe’s, Wave Hill Bread, and a number of area restaurants, distributing it to “food insecure” households like Malta House. Local “food-runners,” citizens that wish to volunteer their time, pick up and drop off the donated food. Everything from produce to cereal to bread to prepared foods (much of it organic) is carefully stored and welcome at Malta House. Our moms and children are eating well!
A Full House
Lucy Freeman, Executive Director
Malta House is a bustling, busy, healthy sanctuary for its residents lately. At the end of May we had 10 mothers and 9 children residing in our Residential Program. One pregnant mom is preparing to graduate from high school in June and a new mom came in at the end of May with her 2-month-old son. With the exception of a few moms, most of our residents have lived at Malta House for approximately 4-5 months. Six of our residents have high school diplomas, 2 are attending high school, and 2 are enrolled in GED preparation classes. Those residents not employed participate in employment and job search coaching facilitated by our case managers (see article on case managers, page 2). New programs include a budgeting class offered by First County Bank entitled “Money Matters” (see article, opposite). Residents also to attend nutrition and exercise classes as well as spirituality and parenting classes. And, we are also fortunate to now have access to Community Plates, a non-profit organization connecting surplus food from restaurants and other sources to food-insecure households throughout the U.S. This program is offered to us weekly bringing several pounds of food directly to our doorstep. These foods include meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and bread. Efforts are made to coordinate a day in the week for these families to pick up these food donations as an engagement strategy (see article, opposite). Recent events for residents include an “Ice Cream Social” and a Mother’s Day Luncheon (see articles, page 3). We regularly serve area families in our Outreach Program. Most families received diapers, baby wipes, food, baby formula, and some personal toiletries. During the month of April we spent some time reorganizing the living space of our residents. In addition to expanding the nursery we also reorganized the dining room and added a common space by utilizing furniture donations. The ladies agree that the space looks more like home.
We can’t thank our volunteers enough: Approx. 160 volunteer hours were contributed to Malta House for the month of April. And, we announce our new head teacher Diana Arteaga. Diana (pictured below in the nursery) comes to us with over 20 years of experience in child care and a degree in Child Development. Malta House is fully staffed and excited about our own new beginnings!
On The Move
“On The Move,” the newsletter of Malta House, Inc.
Production Team
Audrey Cozzarin, Graphic design and copy writing Jen Mitchell, Development and editing Claudia Nixon, Coordination and editing Lucy Freeman, Copy writing and editing Printing by DotGeneration, Stamford
Malta House is a 501(c) 3 Corporation and any donations made, monetary or product, are tax-deductible. The new and expectant mothers of Malta House and their babies are very thankful for all the support our community offers. We also invite you to volunteer your time at Malta House.
“I’m saving money for the first time, and it feels great!” – malta house resident
Malta House guides residents towards creating a savings account for current needs, as well as planning for future independent living. “Money Matters” is a terrific and important program and we’re grateful to First County Bank for this gift.
6
Malta House, Inc.
5 Prowitt Street Norwalk, CT 06855 203-857-0088
www.maltahouse.org
7
Malta House, Inc.
5 Prowitt Street Norwalk, CT 06855 203-857-0088
www.maltahouse.org
Malta House Board of Directors John L. Altieri, Jr., Chairman Thomas G. Kolenberg, KM, Vice President Terri Polley, Treasurer Kim Petrone, Secretary Laure C. Aubuchon, DM Christopher Bell John R. Campbell Hope Carter, DMOb Rev. Robert Crofut Sharon Feighery Mary Beth Fessler, DM Linda Gabriele Rev. Benedict Groeschel W. Mele Orendorf, KM Michael J. O’Rourke, KM Barbara Ripp, DM Rev. Msgr. William Scheyd Brian Tremblay Lucy Freeman, Malta House Executive Director
On The Move
This Year’s Gala A Huge Success
The Fesslers Honored Annual Concert: Oct. 26, 2013
malta house
Save the Date!
Malta House Spring Gala 2013, “New Beginnings: The Birth and Rebirth of Hope” at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk held on Sunday, April 28, honored Bill and Mary Beth Fessler. – Continued page 4
Above, from left: Michael O’Rourke, Bill and Mary Beth Fessler, John Altieri, and gala co-chairs Audrey Cozzarin, Jean Marie McLaughlin and Kathy Garrison.
Malta House’s 6th annual concert at Norwalk Concert Hall, “A Little Bit Broadway, A Little Bit Rock and Roll,” with Frank Mastrone & Friends will be a stellar night – Saturday, October 26, 2013. Mark your calendar! Above: Frank Mastrone with Michael Cooney, piano, at Malta
House Concert 2012.
the newsletter of
www.maltahouse.org
norwalk, ct spring/summer 2013
Dressed For Success
>
Malta House resident Brieanna eagerly attends employment workshops within Malta House to prepare her for job searching. She is confident and ready for employment! “Dress For Success” is a local program providing career clothing donations to support women who need to look their best for job interviews. Malta House residents are taking full advantage of this terrific program and are finding success. We’re so proud of Brieanna and our other residents as they step closer towards independence.
Malta House Spruces Up
Simple touches in reorganizing the living space of our residents have made Malta House “more like home.” – See article on page 7.
Photo by Lucy Freeman.
Brieanna heading out to an interview. Claim that job!
<
“I call Malta House ‘God’s House,’ and the people who work there ‘Angels!’” – Laila, former resident
On The Move
Meet Our New Staff | Case Managers Claudia Nixon and Heather Castro
< Claudia Nixon (standing) and Heather Castro outside Malta House with the new van, a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The van is utilized for regular trips to the supermarket, field trips, and parenting classes at Saint Joseph Parenting Center in Stamford. Photo by Audrey Cozzarin.
malta house
www.maltahouse.org
New Planned Giving Program
Malta House is proud to announce the launch of the St. Gerard Majella Planned Giving Society established to recognize people who are planning for gifts today that will provide benefits to Malta House, Inc. in the future. These gifts may take the form of bequests, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance or other types of charitable planned gifts. Sometimes such gifts go unrecognized because they come at the end of the donor’s life. The St. Gerard Majella Planned Giving Society provides a way for the Malta House to recognize and thank donors during their lifetimes. Members of the St. Gerard Majella Planned Giving Society will be recognized in Malta House, Inc. printed materials and invited to periodic events. Many of our Board members and staff are available. Please contact Jennifer Mitchell at [email protected] or call 203-857-0088 if you would like to set up a meeting.
St. Gerard Majella, patron saint of expectant mothers. (Illustration by Audrey Cozzarin).
and like, Claudia, brings her background in perfect step with the needs of Malta House.
C
Heather says, “As a spiritual person, I believe in preserving life. The Catholic roots of Malta House really resonate with me, and I truly enjoy the opportunity to work with families. My work at Laurel House focused on individuals with serious mental illness. At Malta House, the mission is more in tune with me.” Both case managers work hard as guides and role models to the women of Malta House, helping with issues of selfesteem in building trust and strength to succeed. “Our goal is to have every Malta House resident be a success story–to leave with housing, a job, and a bright future,” say both Claudia and Heather. “We provide support the residents may not have received in their original families.” Both women welcome the arrival of new residents to Malta House, introducing them to the other moms in hope that friendships can bloom. Self-responsibility and social skills are important in gaining independence, and the residents are in very capable hands.
atching up with Claudia Nixon and Heather Castro is not always easy: They are busy ladies. Malta House is indeed very fortunate to have this team of case managers and we’d like all of you to get to know them better. Claudia’s background is in independent living skills training, with emphasis on cultural and linguisticallychallenged minorities. She holds a B.S. in Sign Language Interpretation from the University of New Hampshire, Manchester. Claudia’s past career translates well to the Malta House population. And, she says, “As a (divorced) mother of two, I understand the plight of new mothers... the problems of feeding, burping, and colic, and the associated frustrations. Since I’m older, and hopefully wiser, I can share my own experience with the residents.” A nickname Claudia’s son gave her, “Mama Clauds,” is used now at Malta House when Claudia is invited to soothe a particularly fussy baby. Heather is currently working toward an M.S.W. at Fordham University (Westchester campus), and holds a B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut, Stamford. Before her position at Malta House, Heather was a supported education and employment specialist at Laurel House in Stamford
Ice Cream Social
April 27, 2013 • Malta House Courtyard Malta House residents, former residents, and their children joined staff and friends for ice cream, games, and fun on a sunny day! It was a great way for current and past residents to get together for a relaxing visit.
Mother’s Day Lunch
May 10, 2013 • Malta House Dining Room The staff and volunteers of Malta House hosted a lovely Mother’s Day luncheon for residents on May 10 in the newly redecorated dining room. Lunch consisted of tuna and chicken salads, green leaf salad, Stew Leonard’s baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and pie for dessert. Residents were treated to a gift basket of bath and body products, donated by the Junior League of Stamford & Norwalk.
Photos top left and right: Enjoying the Ice Cream Social; middle right, bottom and center: At the Mother’s Day Luncheon.
“We’re here to help Malta House residents find a path to success along their journey.”
– heather castro, case manager
“Our residents know we’re a team that’s here to help them improve their lives. The more they are uplifted, the better parents they can be.”
– claudia nixon, case manager
2
3
On The Move
malta house
www.maltahouse.org
< From left: Debbie Campbell, Kathy Weaver, and Carolyn Slapnicka. Malta House Spring Gala at Shorehaven Golf Club, Norwalk, CT, April 28, 2013. > < Malta House executive director Lucy Freeman gave remarks, illuminating on Malta House’s new initiatives for guests at the gala. > Broadway performer Frank Mastrone serenaded the honorees Bill and Mary Beth Fessler – a surprise – with “their” song, “Truly” by Lionel Ritchie.
O
Malta House Spring Gala – A Great Night!
ur annual gala on Sunday, April 28 at Shorehaven Golf Club in East Norwalk was a well-attended, elegant event on a stellar sunny spring evening. We were pleased to honor Bill and Mary Beth Fessler. For over 15 years, Dr. Fessler has provided dentistry services to the mothers and children of Malta House and is on our board of trustees. Mary Beth is a long-time Malta House board member and volunteer. The Fesslers are co-chairs of the CT area Order of Malta. The gala evening included a cocktail reception on the veranda, fun “Bubbles & Bling” raffle, dinner, a surprise serenade, silent and live auction, and matching gifts segment… High spirits and successful fund- and friend-raising, for this blessed and important cause. Malta House thanks the generous sponsors, donors, and guests whose support graced us with a beautiful gala this year.
< Michael and Cyndi Niedermeier enjoying the warm evening with Fr. Tom Driscoll who married gala honorees Bill and Mary Beth Fessler.
Lynn Friedberg made an impassioned appeal for matching grants towards the “Partnering Success” program. < A view of the gala dining room.
Malta House co-founder and board member Michael O’Rourke welcomed guests.
>
>
Malta House co-founder Hope Carter (left) and Kelly Weldon.
>
From left: Malta House board member Brian Tremblay and his wife, Susan, are joined by Joe Dineen and his wife Ann Quinn.
Laila, former Malta House resident, gave moving remarks as her 5-year-old daughter Sarahya listened. > Live auction item “Dames For Dinner” was terrific fun and helped kick-off a successful fundraising effort for Malta House.
>
4
5
>
On The Move
Money Matters
Managing finances is a challenge for all of us, and at Malta House, residents get a course in “Money Matters” by advisors at First County Bank. The classes are designed to provide residents with a working knowledge of account types, how to read their statements, setting up accounts, how to set up and follow budgets, and other financial topics. This spring, First County Bank-Stamford advisors Peter Olson and Freeman Hardison (pictured in photo below, left and right respectively) lead a 6-week course for Malta House residents.
malta house
www.maltahouse.org
Community Plates
The big crates of food donated by Community Plates arrive each Saturday morning to Malta House, and staffers and moms work together to distribute and put the food items away. Community Plates is a non-profit organization with regional branches that gather donated foodstuffs and produce from Trader Joe’s, Wave Hill Bread, and a number of area restaurants, distributing it to “food insecure” households like Malta House. Local “food-runners,” citizens that wish to volunteer their time, pick up and drop off the donated food. Everything from produce to cereal to bread to prepared foods (much of it organic) is carefully stored and welcome at Malta House. Our moms and children are eating well!
A Full House
Lucy Freeman, Executive Director
Malta House is a bustling, busy, healthy sanctuary for its residents lately. At the end of May we had 10 mothers and 9 children residing in our Residential Program. One pregnant mom is preparing to graduate from high school in June and a new mom came in at the end of May with her 2-month-old son. With the exception of a few moms, most of our residents have lived at Malta House for approximately 4-5 months. Six of our residents have high school diplomas, 2 are attending high school, and 2 are enrolled in GED preparation classes. Those residents not employed participate in employment and job search coaching facilitated by our case managers (see article on case managers, page 2). New programs include a budgeting class offered by First County Bank entitled “Money Matters” (see article, opposite). Residents also to attend nutrition and exercise classes as well as spirituality and parenting classes. And, we are also fortunate to now have access to Community Plates, a non-profit organization connecting surplus food from restaurants and other sources to food-insecure households throughout the U.S. This program is offered to us weekly bringing several pounds of food directly to our doorstep. These foods include meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and bread. Efforts are made to coordinate a day in the week for these families to pick up these food donations as an engagement strategy (see article, opposite). Recent events for residents include an “Ice Cream Social” and a Mother’s Day Luncheon (see articles, page 3). We regularly serve area families in our Outreach Program. Most families received diapers, baby wipes, food, baby formula, and some personal toiletries. During the month of April we spent some time reorganizing the living space of our residents. In addition to expanding the nursery we also reorganized the dining room and added a common space by utilizing furniture donations. The ladies agree that the space looks more like home.
We can’t thank our volunteers enough: Approx. 160 volunteer hours were contributed to Malta House for the month of April. And, we announce our new head teacher Diana Arteaga. Diana (pictured below in the nursery) comes to us with over 20 years of experience in child care and a degree in Child Development. Malta House is fully staffed and excited about our own new beginnings!
On The Move
“On The Move,” the newsletter of Malta House, Inc.
Production Team
Audrey Cozzarin, Graphic design and copy writing Jen Mitchell, Development and editing Claudia Nixon, Coordination and editing Lucy Freeman, Copy writing and editing Printing by DotGeneration, Stamford
Malta House is a 501(c) 3 Corporation and any donations made, monetary or product, are tax-deductible. The new and expectant mothers of Malta House and their babies are very thankful for all the support our community offers. We also invite you to volunteer your time at Malta House.
“I’m saving money for the first time, and it feels great!” – malta house resident
Malta House guides residents towards creating a savings account for current needs, as well as planning for future independent living. “Money Matters” is a terrific and important program and we’re grateful to First County Bank for this gift.
6
Malta House, Inc.
5 Prowitt Street Norwalk, CT 06855 203-857-0088
www.maltahouse.org
7
Malta House, Inc.
5 Prowitt Street Norwalk, CT 06855 203-857-0088
www.maltahouse.org
Malta House Board of Directors John L. Altieri, Jr., Chairman Thomas G. Kolenberg, KM, Vice President Terri Polley, Treasurer Kim Petrone, Secretary Laure C. Aubuchon, DM Christopher Bell John R. Campbell Hope Carter, DMOb Rev. Robert Crofut Sharon Feighery Mary Beth Fessler, DM Linda Gabriele Rev. Benedict Groeschel W. Mele Orendorf, KM Michael J. O’Rourke, KM Barbara Ripp, DM Rev. Msgr. William Scheyd Brian Tremblay Lucy Freeman, Malta House Executive Director
On The Move
This Year’s Gala A Huge Success
The Fesslers Honored Annual Concert: Oct. 26, 2013
malta house
Save the Date!
Malta House Spring Gala 2013, “New Beginnings: The Birth and Rebirth of Hope” at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk held on Sunday, April 28, honored Bill and Mary Beth Fessler. – Continued page 4
Above, from left: Michael O’Rourke, Bill and Mary Beth Fessler, John Altieri, and gala co-chairs Audrey Cozzarin, Jean Marie McLaughlin and Kathy Garrison.
Malta House’s 6th annual concert at Norwalk Concert Hall, “A Little Bit Broadway, A Little Bit Rock and Roll,” with Frank Mastrone & Friends will be a stellar night – Saturday, October 26, 2013. Mark your calendar! Above: Frank Mastrone with Michael Cooney, piano, at Malta
House Concert 2012.
