In This Issue

• Impact of Children's Futures
  • Centers Join Forces with Capital Health System to Promote Breastfeeding
  • Families Focus on Literacy All Summer at the East Ward Center at St. Francis
  • Examining Poverty and Racism as Overlapping Threats to Families
  • CF Seeks Vice President-Application Deadline is August 15
• Links to Print/Web Articles
  • Breastfeeding Trust Hormone Clue
  • Even Background TV Can Impact Kids' Attention
  • Women and Men Urged to Seek 'Preconception Care'
• Upcoming Community Events Calendar
  • Workshop on the Needs of Latino Families
  • Trenton's 31st Puerto Rican Day Parade
  • UIH Family Partners Annual Golf Outing
• Ongoing Community Activities
  • CF Center-Based Programs for Parents and Children
  • Pre-School Registration for 2008-2009 School Year
  • Domestic Violence Victim Response Team Members Sought

Impact of Children's Futures

Centers Join Forces with Capital Health System to Promote Breastfeeding Benefits

Trenton residents can attend any of the free informational sessions on breastfeeding scheduled throughout the city from Friday, August 1 to Friday, August 8 at Children's Futures' centers and the Henry J. Austin Health Center as part of the international observance of World Breastfeeding Week.

The sessions include: Friday, August 1 at the East Ward Parent/Child Center at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Place in St. Francis Medical Center's Crean Hall (609-599-5764); Monday, August 4 at the West Ward Parent/Child Center at Mercer Street Friends at 5 p.m. at 222 N. Hermitage Avenue (609-989-1395); Wednesday, August 6 at 10:30 a.m. the North Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center at Children's Home Society at 1554 Princeton Avenue (609-393-2980); Thursday, August 7 at 10 a.m. at the South Ward Parent/Child Center at 342 Home Avenue (609-989-7802); Thursday, August 7 at 2 p.m. at the South Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center at Children's Home Society at 635 South Clinton Avenue (609-695-6274); and, on Friday, August 8 at 10 a.m. at the Henry J. Austin Health Center at 321 North Warren Street (609-278-5900). For information about other free programs for children and families CF centers, please click here. For contact information for Henry J. Austin Health Center, please go to: /www.henryjaustin.org

"We have a crisis in obesity and diabetes. There is research showing that breastfed infants are less likely to develop both conditions. Breastfed children also have higher IQ scores and their families experience less stress and lower incidence of child abuse," according to Diane Procaccini, Capital Health System's Lactation Services Coordinator.

Human milk is the ideal food for most infants. Breastfed infants receive anti-bodies from breast milk, which protect against infection and promote immunity. And breastfeeding is less expensive... formula will cost a family over $2,000. Some additional benefits of breastfeeding children include a lower risk for: ear and respiratory infections, atopic dermatitis, gastroenteritis, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). According to the Centers for Disease Control, benefits of breastfeeding for mothers are decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Breastfeeding also helps mothers by speeding the return of uterine tone, stopping post-birth bleeding, and temporarily suppressing ovulation, which aids the spacing of children. "There is too much misinformation that keeps some people from breastfeeding. Women need to claim control of this issue and learn the facts about the benefits breastfeeding brings," Ms. Procaccini added

Capital Health System offers a lactation support line (609-394-4163) for residents with questions about any aspect of breastfeeding. In addition, a "Milk Bank" has been developed for women to donate extra milk for babies who are sick. Some of this milk is also sent to South Africa for babies with HIV/AIDS.

Mom breastfeeds her child

Diane Procaccini, Capital Health System's Lactation Services Coordinator joined forces last week with CF Center Directors to plan breastfeeding seminars throughout Trenton from August 1 to August 8.

Families Focus on Literacy All Summer at the East Ward Center at St. Francis

"Reading makes me happy. I want to write a fairy tale one day," Trenton youngster Emely Posadas said this week, proudly displaying a book she had written. Emely and several other children authored and created their own books as part of an innovative weekly CF East Ward Parent/Child center "Milk and Cookies" summer literacy and learning program. East Ward staffers Marisol Weaver-Henderson and Marie Yves developed this center-based literacy activity with the intention of improving parent-child bonding. They received much more than they anticipated. In fact, some of the mothers have been learning to read English right along with their children. "This is something we can share every day. I am proud that my daughter is the first one in her pre-k class to know all of her letters and numbers," said Emely's mom Leydi.

"Watching moms grow and develop their own literacy skills has been gratifying," Ms. Weaver-Henderson noted. Other side benefits have included developing both children's and parents' presentation skills through reading aloud weekly and children learning to take responsibility to care for the books they borrow each week from the center's expansive lending library. To learn more about 'Milk and Cookies" please call the East Ward Center at 609-599-5764.

All CF centers throughout Trenton continue focusing on increasing literacy opportunities for children and families. These programs reflect another aspect of CF's leadership role in the city-wide Trenton READS initiative to get everyone reading. On Sunday, August 3rd (see information below in Upcoming Community Events Calendar), CF will sponsor a float in the Puerto Rican Day Parade with a Trenton READS-inspired literacy theme.

Displaying the books they created this summer:

Ashley Arroyo with her mom Sonya

Emely Posadas and her brother Ailton with their mother Leydi

Rachel Sandoval and her mom Sherry.

Examining Poverty and Racism as Overlapping Threats to Families

One of Children's Futures' lead partner agencies, Catholic Charities (Diocese of Trenton), is doing its part locally to help reduce poverty in America and confront poverty's connection to racism. Catholic Charities' national goal is to cut poverty in half across the country by the year 2020. By starting with education of the issues, Catholic Charities is leading conversations to promote awareness and actions that can change the impact that race has on poverty. Last week, Joyce Campbell, Catholic Charities' Diocese of Trenton Director of Communications and Government Relations, met with the CEOs from Children's Futures' other lead partner organizations to discuss how this campaign relates to children and families in Trenton. Ms. Campbell said organizations should examine poverty and racism in order to develop a vision that can be integrated into their daily activities. She specifically stressed the importance of these issues for those delivering community programs that help vulnerable families who are under increased strain during the nation's economic downturn. Local organizations wanting to learn more about ways to address racism and poverty or wishing to receive a copy of a Catholic Charities' issue brief, "Poverty and Racism: An Overlapping Threat to the Common Good", should contact Ms. Campbell at (609) 394-5181 (ext. 138) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Joyce Campbell, Director of Communications and Government Relations at Catholic Charities (Diocese of Trenton) described her organization's campaign to reduce poverty and racism last week during a meeting of CEOs from CF's lead partner agencies.

CF Seeks Vice President

At Children's Futures (CF), our nonprofit's mission is to improve child health and development outcomes for children from prenatal to age 3 in Trenton, NJ, to ensure every child enters preschool healthy and ready to learn. CF is searching for an individual to serve as Vice President for Program Management and Development with a passion for creating and supporting community-level change. This position reports to the CF President.

Candidates should have an advanced degree (Master's or higher), 10 years of senior leadership with 5 years of management experience in: early childhood health and development; strategic planning; fiscal analysis; project management; grant writing; and contract development/monitoring. Candidates must also possess strong written, verbal and group facilitation skills with ability to represent CF in health, policy, legislative, community and philanthropic settings. Knowledge of federal, state and local public/private funding sources is essential.

The position offers a competitive salary and benefits. Interested parties should mail a cover letter with a resume/CV and references to: Att: CF Human Resources, 28 W. State St., Suite 305,Trenton, NJ 08608 or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 8/15/08. For more details on this position, please click here.

Links to Print/Web Articles

Breastfeeding Trust Hormone Clue
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, scientists have for the first time shown how a "trust" hormone is released in the brains of breastfeeding mothers.

Even Background TV Can Impact Kids' Attention
USA Today reports that in new findings from a small-scale study, researchers say that even having a TV on in the background could be "an environmental hazard" for children.

Women and Men Urged to Seek 'Preconception Care'
More women of childbearing age -- and their male partners -- are being encouraged to speak to their doctors before conceiving a child, according to HealthDay News.

Parents are Allowing Child to be Picky Eater
Children's Futures' Board Member Dr. Kendall Sprott writes about children's health and development issues in his weekly column for the Star Ledger.

Upcoming Community Events Calendar

July 2008

Monday, July 28:

Special educational workshop with Dr. Luis Gongora Chong, Former General Consul for Ecuador: free and open to the general public; 5:30-7:30 p.m.; The Children's Home Society of New Jersey, 635 South Clinton Avenue in Trenton. Some of the topics to be covered: "Cultural Clash" & what it means for the Latin American Family; Mental Health Issues in the Latino Family in relation to stress and, Depression in the Latino Family. For more information please call Maritza I. Raimundi-Petroski at 609-695-6274, Ext. 160 or Leonor Tapia at 609-516-0107.

August 2008

Friday , August 1 to Friday, August 8:

See Article Above for Locations of Free Breastfeeding Seminars Throughout Trenton

Sunday, August 3:

The 31st Puerto Rican Day Parade: free; 1 p.m; begins at Trenton Central High School; for sponsorship information please call Ida Perez-Margicin at 609-209-5009.

Thursday, August 7:

Annual Double Dutch Competition: free; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Martin House 794 East State Street in Trenton. For volunteer or sponsorship information, please call Bridget Lewis-Burgess at 609-815-2188 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Monday, August 11:

UIH Family Partners Annual Golf Classic: $150 per person. Lunch/Registration 11 a.m. Shotgun start 1 p.m.; Mercer Oaks West Country Club in Princeton Junction, NJ; proceeds support programs for more than 600 families. For sponsorship information or to register to golf, just dinner ($55) or for early-bird discounted rates for foursomes, please call Ed Gittens at (609) 695-3663 (ext. 215).

Thursday, August 14:

Baseball Benefit for the Mercer County Million Mom March Chapter: $10; 7:05 p.m .; Waterfront Park in Trenton featuring the Trenton Thunder against the Bowie Baysox. .For ticket information, (tickets must be ordered by July 31) please contact Adam Smedberg at 609-394-3300 (ext. 124) or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For information about the Mercer County Million Mom March Chapter, please contact Carole Stiller at 609-882-3211 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

September 2008

Saturday, September 13:

3rd Annual Latino Parenting Conference-"Safety in the Latino Community": free; 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Children's Home Society of New Jersey, 635 South Clinton Avenue in Trenton. Organizations interested in reserving a community resource table or if you have any families who may be interested in attending, please call Maritza Raimundi Petroski at 609-695-6274 (ext. 160). Space is limited to 150 individuals and 25 community organizations.

Wednesday, September 24:

Trenton Board of Education, Office of Early Childhood 2nd Pre-K Fair: free; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trenton Board of Education, Ellis Auditorium, 108 North Clinton Avenue in Trenton. Parents will also be able to register each child for school on the day of the Pre-K Fair if proper documentation is presented. To sign up. please call Denise Holguin at 609 656 4900x5669 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ongoing Community Activities

CF Center-Based Programs for Parents and Children: Free programs at Children's Futures' centers provide families with the support they need to be empowered to succeed in life. Children's Futures' partners offer sessions to improve literacy, enhance employment opportunities, promote health, safety and good nutrition, address behavioral health issues, and encourage parent/child bonding and educational achievement. For more information on July, 2008 programs, please call Tonya Bellamy at 609-695-1977 (ext. 109) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pre-School Registration for 2008-2009 School Year: Beginning July 1, 2008, the Trenton Public Schools' Early Childhood Department will begin registering children every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning from 8:30am-11:00am. Children are eligible for free preschool if they turn three or four by September 30th and are Trenton residents. An appointment is needed in order for parents to complete the registration process for each eligible child. For appointments, please call 609 656-5667. Documents needed for registration: Child's Birth Certificate, Vaccination Record, 2 Current Proofs of Address (within 30days of registration date) utility bill, lease, home telephone, or cable bill will be accepted.

CitySmiles Offers Information About Programs Throughout the Year for Children and Families: For more information about fun and educational programs for children and parents contact CitySmiles at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or link to CitySmiles.org

Isles, Inc. is providing dust sampling in 115 homes to determine if hazardous lead levels are present. If high levels are found, Isles will counsel parents about next steps including---protecting their children, speaking to a landlord, working with a city housing inspector, and applying for loans or grants to make a home lead safe. For more information, please call 609 341-4703.

Swim Classes at the YMCA: The Greater Trenton Area Y.M.C.A. is now offering Adult and Youth swim lessons. Lessons are available every Saturday until August 30, 2008. Youth class- 9am to 10:30 (starting at 3years old) Adult class- 10:30 to 12:00 noon

Location-Greater Trenton Area YMCA 431Pennington Ave. Trenton, NJ Fee: $40.00 plus Associate Membership $25.00 total -$65. Pre-registration is required. Please call 609-599-9622 for more information.

Pre-School Center Openings still available at Greater Trenton YMCA for September: The Pre-School Center serves children living in the City of Trenton 3-5 years of age and is an all-day program. Please call 609-599-9622 for more information

The New Jersey State Parent and Information Resource Center, a program of Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, has valuable services available for schools and community agencies (including FREE workshops for parents to support parental involvement efforts) Workshops are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis with priority given to schools/agencies that can gather more than 30 parents per session. For more information please call 732-246-8060 ext. 110. To receive workshop application forms, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Camp Fire USA of New Jersey: All Six Flags Great Adventure Tickets Available Through Camp Fire USA of New Jersey Have Been Reduced to $20 Each. The $20 ticket is good for any one day admission to the theme park for adult or child. Camp Fire USA New Jersey Council, Children's Futures' Community partner in the Trenton Reach Out and Read program, is selling the discounted tickets for Six Flags Great Adventure as a fundraiser. All proceeds benefit Camp Fire programs for the prevention of violence, child abuse, abduction and substance abuse To order tickets: Send check or money order made payable to Camp Fire USA ($20 per ticket and $3 per order for postage and handling) to Camp Fire USA New Jersey Council, 535 East Franklin Street, Trenton, NJ 08610. Tickets may also be picked up at the Camp Fire office. For more information, please call: (609) 695-8410.

Womanspace: Womanspace is seeking volunteers to join the Domestic Violence Victim Response Team (DVVRT) & Sexual Assault Support Services Advocate Team (SASS). Team members respond to local police stations or hospitals and meet with victims, providing them with support, information and referral. In the past ten years the teams have gone on 3,785 call-outs and served over 5,000 residents of Mercer County. DVVRT and SASS volunteers support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault when they need it most. Qualifications include the ability to communicate well with others and be a good listener, ability to maintain confidentiality, 18 years of age and resident of or employed in the Mercer County area, valid driver's license and available transportation, no criminal history or prior history as a defendant in a domestic violence or sexual assault related matter, and availability to attend classes and meetings. Volunteers will receive 80+ hours of extensive, specialized training on topics including the law, sensitivity to the needs of victims and their children, and how to provide appropriate responses at a very critical time. Trained volunteers need to be "on call" (available to respond to call-outs) for two to four shifts a month. Training begins on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Interested persons must submit to a background investigation, including fingerprinting. Bilingual individuals (especially those fluent in Spanish, Polish, and American Sign Language) are encouraged to apply. Applications must be received by Monday, August 4, 2008. For more information, please contact Heidi Mueller at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and Alison Daks at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (609) 394-0136.

Mercer County Office of the Youth Advocacy Programs, Inc. will partner with Macy's this year for the annual Shop For A Cause, to be held on September 20, 2008. For a $5 donation to YAP, people will be able to shop all day, at any Macy's of their choosing, and receive 20% off their purchases for most items, and 10% for many others. For more information, please contact Dan Winter, Lisa Wojtczuk, or Christina White at 609-637-0896.