|
Rockland 21C Chair
“In these past few years, Rockland 21C has fostered many wonderful school/community partnerships designed to give our children the tools and opportunities they will need to grow and be the best they can be. I feel very fortunate to be part of a County that values children and youth so much that we have overcome barriers and are working together effectively for the benefit of all Rockland families. Our children are our future. We’ve learned that we need to invest now!”
Harriet Cornell
Rockland County Legislator
Education
“The needs of American families deserve the attention of entire communities. The real miracle is when people tie it all together, and Rockland has done just that. Rockland 21C’s innovative, collaborative approach should be studied, copied, and recognized as a model for success. Outside of Rockland County, you have a towering reputation for what you have achieved. You know the problems because you are engaged at the ground level. It's really amazing what you have done."
Richard Mills
N.Y.S. Education Commisioner
“Rockland’s efforts are not just rhetoric, but true social change. It has made words into a community reality and created a national model. Yale has learned more from Rockland 21C than Rockland has learned from Yale. No other of our 21C communities anywhere in this country can boast of what you have accomplished … and I can’t compliment you enough that you have involved over 50 public and private agencies in your partnerships and collaborations. There is so much turf guarding that just getting people to communicate, to talk to one another is a Herculean task. I’m also pleased, but not surprised, that you are not a group willing to rest on your laurels. You are improving and enriching your programs, and moving forward. You all have much to be proud of. You have already greatly impacted the lives of many children and their families, for the better.”
Edward Zigler
Director
Yale University's Bush Center for Child Development and Social Policy
“I have seen how the 21C initiative supports the school-age child by setting them up for early success in the classroom and exposing them to more social interaction. I’ve gotten a valuable overview of services available, and links to parents, providers, employers and the community. 21C has helped me network and partner with pre-K and childcare providers, and share concepts and concerns. I know from experience that there is a tremendous need for this County-wide family/school/community partnership.”
Noel DeBoyace
First Grade Teacher
West Haverstraw Elementary School
21C Symposium Attendee
"After my initial attendance at a 21C Yale Conference six years ago, I was moved to initiate in the Nyack School District the first Family Resource Center in Rockland. We now have one in each of our elementary schools. The emphasis in Nyack is always that only together can we make a difference. 21C is providing the momentum and the connections to bring us together to impact a brighter future for all our children. Being part of the team that helps make that happen is exciting for me."
Roberta Zampolin
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Superintendent
Nyack School District
"I believe in the last few years the education community has become much better at being collaborative, building partnerships, and allowing ourselves to unleash the power and energy we know exists in each of us … all on behalf of the kids and families of Rockland. It’s very easy for me to work with 21C to continue to bring our school districts together, and to reap the benefit of what has become an outstanding program in our County.”
Dr. James Ryan
Superintendent
Rockland BOCES
“It hits you like a tidal wave … there is so much 21C-related activity going on in our schools and in our community … we are witnessing great momentum.”
Debra Thomas
Director
Rockland Teachers’ Center
"I speak for the Nanuet School District, as well as my Superintendent colleagues, when I say that we have nothing but tremendous gratitude to express to the visionaries of this County who are aligned with the 21C Collaborative. Under the direction of our full-time FRC Director we have flourishing FRCs in both of our elementary schools offering preschool story hours, after-school enrichment classes and homework clubs, after-school care programs through RASP, evening workshops for parents, as well as the Open Door program in the Middle School with its own full-time Director. You can imagine how our parents must feel about these types of opportunities. And in our new district building expansion plans, there is space dedicated for FRCs and after-school programs. That's an indication that the goals of 21C are being manifested. We hope the program will just expand and expand and expand. All of this is consistent with the mission that was originally developed by 21C. As we move forward, I see Nanuet continuing to be transformed by the partnerships and relationships that have developed."
Mark McNeill
Superintendent
Nanuet School District
"The 21C initiative focuses on supporting children and their families. As an educator, this is the emphasis of my profession. As a community member, this is my responsibility. As a member of the 21 C Board, I have the opportunity to work with other individuals and agencies that share this common focus."
Ed Furman
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Asst. Superintendent
Nanuet School District
"I went to Yale in ’95 when this initiative was conceived. I am so glad to be back in Rockland where collaboration is part of the school culture as well as day- to- day life. I am aware, more than ever, that our schools need linkage to the community and I hope to contribute towards making those linkages more effective through intentional long term planning."
Joe Zambito
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Superintendent
South Orangetown School District
"It was in May of 1997 that I first invited staff, community members and parents to talk about our goals for the school community. The idea of an FRC grew out of that meeting. We began with limited space in our cafeteria, a group of committed parent volunteers and two children. For a few years we depended on a dedicated team of volunteers. We finally realized our outstanding programs could not continue to exist without financial support. Rockland21C heard our pleas and provided us with seed money, enabling us to hire our first FRC Coordinator, who has been a vital part of our growth. This year, because of our success, our Board of Ed decided to fund our FRC. From parent groups and workshops, to bedtime story hours, male readers in the schools, health screenings, tutoring and more … none of it would have been possible without the opportunities made available by Rockland 21C and Yale.”
Ron Anagnostis
Principal
Sloatsburg Elementary School
"I come to this collaborative wearing the hat of Pastor, educator and as the new Executive Director of the Rockland County School Board Assoc. I think it is critical that we bringing people together to solve problems and I have had a lot of experience working on that during my tenures on the Nyack School Board. I also believe that children are our priority and it is great to be with so many who share that point of view. I am aware we don’t have all the resources or solutions. I am excited about what we can learn together as we grapple with finding solutions and resources."
Bryan Burrell
Rockland 21C Long Range Planning Co-Chair
Executive Director
Rockland County School Board Association
"I am pleased to be on this Board. I know it will help me in my search for resources for “My Kids” at Summit Park. We have to bring them support – the schools cannot do it alone. I know what our kids need and through my work in New York City, with Cities & Schools, I have a sense of what collaboration can and does do. We have sustained a mentoring program established by Novartis thanks to 31 dedicated community mentors. They have made big differences in the lives of some of our children – we can do so much more as we work together."
Linda Alvarez-Cruz
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Superintendent
East Ramapo School District
Top
Government
"The nurturing of our children doesn’t end at 3 PM. Sometimes their needs are so deeply hidden within them that it’s hard to reach during school, or after school, or in daycare, or by the parents, or with the help of a mental health professional, or the department of social services … or any one entity. Rockland 21C celebrates a cross connection that is uncommon in government and among institutional organizations. 21C partners sacrifice the notion that they each are the best resource for the child. People and services have come together from every segment of the County … in collaboration as a community … focused on our children and families. This is a wonderful opportunity. It’s historic. And I’m very proud that it has happened in Rockland and that it is working so well.”
C. Scott Vanderhoef
Rockland County Executive
"I am now the Supervisor of the Town of Ramapo, and formerly a county legislator. I am thrilled to be working with Harriet Cornell again – she has spearheaded so many wonderful initiatives in our community. In the Town of Ramapo we have 110,000 people and 40% of them are under 19 – far larger than is true in most communities. Our Recreation Department is collaborating with East Ramapo and Ramapo Central to build community schools. The Town of Ramapo needs many more Family Resource Centrers and needs to figure out how to finance them. All the movers and shakers who can help me do this are here – on this Board."
Chris St. Lawrence
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Supervisor
Town of Ramapo
Top
Non-Profit
“You are trailblazers and lamplighters in Rockland, and we hope you will light the way for communities throughout the State. What really makes the difference is that you took all the pieces, resources and tools available out there and brought them together, into a coherent, functioning whole. You stood back and took the time to think about what was needed, and you created it. That courage, that foresight … to build a structure that carries us from where we are to where we want to be … is something we are in awe of, we are grateful for.”
Suzanne Sennet
Director
NYS Office of Children and Family Services
"It has become very clear that the success our children have in school depends in great part on what stimulation and experiences they have before the age of five. Our early childhood programs cannot meet that challenge alone. The change requires the efforts of government, business, education, and the families themselves. Rockland 21C is in the forefront of working with everyone to promote quality childcare, school-based FRCs, and quality after-school programs. They have been a catalyst in identifying the needs of the children of Rockland and a driving force behind developing new programming."
Mary Jane Pauling
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Executive Director
Head Start of Rockland
"We really do have so much to celebrate! I feel like I belong to something really vital and important in our community. 21C has become like a family. Certainly we have all helped to nurture the dream … and in doing so have nurtured each other.”
Rhea Vogel
Community Member
"As the President of United Way of Rockland County, I work with many non-profits organizations. Although I have been in Rockland just a short time, I have learned first hand how FRC’s make difference in critical issues like child protection and domestic violence as well as the many ways they can be a support network to parents. Rockland 21C has had a lot to do with engendering a climate of encouraging collaboration and I look forward to helping in that regard because collaboration is the key to obtaining positive outcomes for children and families."
Naomi Adler
Rockland 21C Board Development Chair
President
Rockland United Way
"I am an East Ramapo School Board Member. I am a chemist by training and am currently working as a Research and Development Manager for Akzo Nobel Chemicals in Dobbs Ferry, New York. I have been invited to serve on the 21C Board because I am part of HAPA – Haitian-American Parents Association in order to bring the Haitian community’s voice to this body. HAPA believes that the advancement of our community is closely linked to education. We are committed to make education work for the children, to advocate for the parents and to build close ties between the schools and the community."
Danielle Bright
Haitain American Parents Association
"I am interested in 21C as a way to volunteer my services and talents in the community, particularly for African-American youth. 21C is designed to affect children and their families. Without having this broad brush, the children cannot flourish and grow. It takes an entire village to raise a child. On behalf of the elders in the village, I want to do my part."
Alexandreena Dixon
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Alpha Kappa Alpha
"As a Pediatrician and the newly appointed Commissioner of Health, I see how important stability is for children and how many systems need to work together to make that a reality for some of our children. On the other end of the spectrum, for children to achieve at their optimum, we must all be committed to work together. In my new job, I see the need for the Health Department to work with many players in the community, and I am beginning to see how 21C can assist us We can accomplish more together- I look forward to bringing a health perspective to this esteemed group."
Joan Facelle
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Rockland County Health Commissioner
"If Harriet is the mother of this initiative, 21C, then I am probably the father! When Dr. Ed Zigler first came to Rockland as the keynote speaker for the Rockland County Mental Health Unified Services Children & Youth Conference in 1995, Harriet and I had an opportunity to spend an hour and a half with Ed Zigler prior to our appearing with him on the TKR cable station. When we spoke to Ed, I saw we had a golden opportunity to advance the cause of youth development services in the out-of-school hours and knew we needed to seize the moment by having Rockland use in the most positive sense Dr. Zigler and the Yale University Bush Center. For over 25 years I believed that it made sense for schools to be used as community centers. As the Youth Bureau Director, I am aware of how youth need constructive outlets for their energy. Community Schools provide that resource and allow us to maximize the many resources we have in our community. I would like to see us further develop the community school model in Rockland by including more of the services provided by the not-for-profit organizations as well as those provided by municipal and county governmental agencies. We should study the Beacon School Model in NYC and attempt to implement it in locations that have the greatest need and interest."
Dennis Fleming
Rockland 21C Treasurer
Executive Director
Rockland County Youth Bureau
"Anything that would help children be better prepared for their future, better citizens, because of the comprehensiveness of 21C it can help make it happen. Because I work with so many families in the community it is important to collaborate in partnership with 21C for the families to know and have access to the FRCs. Being able to make an impact through policies, procedures to iensure the population is served and served well."
Vadeta Hanley
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Community Action Program
"I have been involved with Family Resource Centers for five years, and have come to realize that they play a very important role in bringing together the home, school and community for the benefit of families and children. I am in awe of what is out there in the county with respect to resources, and understand the complicated boundaries between protecting turf and sharing resources. A background in business, being one of the co founders of the Clarkstown Family Resource Center Partnership and serving on the Clarkstown School Board, have brought me a wealth of knowledge I am very willing to share with all parties involved in the 21C mission of Rockland County. I believe it is by sharing resources that we grow and prosper. Fulfillment comes when you have contributed something of value; your time, energy and productive ideas. I feel that it is an honor and a privilege to serve."
Karen Kasman
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Clarkstown Central School District
"I represent that little known player - the police. I love the concept of 21C and believe it is very similar to community policing, in concept. I was honored to have a role in the Strategic Planning process several years ago. Collaboration has been most important in my work – it is what helps me do my work.. I love being part of this impressive group. I can tell we will be effective. We have often been parochial maintaining turf… holding on to turf. It is important we learn how to be just as good at sharing turf. I believe I will put expertise and energy into this Collaborative & also take energy and expertise out."
Tim O'Neill
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Clarkstown Police
"I represent the Family Resource Center Coordinators on this Board. I understand their needs - from maintaining their jobs and centers, to the critical role 21C plays in helping us do the rewarding work we do. I have met some wonderful people doing this work and believe that wonderful people can do wonderful things together. I’m sure that will be the case on this board . I hope I can help you better understand the range of FRCs I represent."
Margaret Umbrino
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
South Orangetown FRC Coordiantor
"The work of 21C speaks to me on many levels: As a former 21C Executive Committee member, and an early supporter of the 21C mission, I felt fulfillment in helping to shape the vision and actualization of the dream that has established Family Resource Centers in eight school districts in Rockland, and in watching them flourish and grow. As a former teacher, I know how important it is to find ways for parents to become more comfortable in educational settings in order to support the teaching and learning process. As 21C’s liaison to Integrated County Planning, Rockland CARES, I believe that systems change and integration of systems requires planning and working together. As Information and Referral (I&R) Project Director for the County, I see the critical role that Family Resource Centers can play in disseminating information about county services to its participants, and the ways that 21C can enhance parents and schools connectivity to I&R data. As a member of the newly formed 21C Board, I see the many opportunities for 21C to grow and to sustain its operation, and I hope that I can play a vital role in making that happen."
Sue Vitale
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
Rockland CARES : Integrated County Planning
Business
"Everything is connected in Rockland- that is our wealth. I've been working with so many of you for a long, long time. We have a common interest- linking resources for a common goal. I would like to help link this initiative to the business community and help the business community better understand the value of kids to them. This work takes courage!"
Susan Rutledge
Rockland 21C Board of Directors
My Town Products
Top
|
