Children's Friend Grief Center

2009 Annual Meeting

On February 25, 2009 at the start of our 160th year, Children’s Friend elected the following new Officers, Directors, and Members of the Corporation at its 159th annual meeting:

Michael J. Mulrain has been elected Chair of the Board. Mr. Mulrain is the Chief Financial Officer of Polar Beverages in Worcester.

Michael P. Tsotsis has been elected First Vice-Chair. Mr. Tsotsis is the President of Benefit Development Group.

Other officers elected were Kristine K. Bostek, Second Vice-Chair; Michael F. Foley, Treasurer; George P. Kustigian, Jr., Clerk; Reverend George E. Vogel, Assistant Clerk, and two at-large Executive Committee Members, Stephen A. Lynch and E. Mark Williams, III.

Joining the Board of Directors were Robert G. Oriol, President and CEO of Oriol Health Care in Holden, and Robert B. Kervick, President and CEO of KomTek Technologies in Worcester.

In addition to new Directors, eight men and women were elected Members of the Children’s Friend Corporation: Sang K. Chhoeuk, Camille Bouchard-Chhoeuk, Peter Harrington, Esq., Jennifer MacDonald, Margery Miller, State Representative James O’Day, Celine Yucel, and Patricia Zinkus.

In addition, the Agency honored very special commitment to those who support the mission of Children’s Friend:

H. Waite Hurlburt Award – Coghlin Electrical Contractors, Worcester. This award is given in memory of H. Waite Hurlburt. Mr. Hurlburt was a past president, a true friend of the Agency, and one of our most successful fundraisers. Coghlin Electrical Contractors has helped Children’s Friend secure electricity for its Big Dipper Ice Cream Festival for several years at no cost. Coghlin exhibits the qualities of volunteer leadership that H. Waite Hurlburt exemplified.

Children’s Friend Award – R.H. White Construction Co., Inc., Auburn. The Children’s Friend award was created to recognize those who have shown special commitment to our mission - to improve the lives of children and those who love them. R.H. White Construction Co., Inc., led by David H. White, President, has consistently helped Children’s Friend to make a difference in the lives of the young people and families we serve. Mr. White provides a construction crew to set up and take down at the Big Dipper Ice Cream Festival, provides storage for ice cream booths, and provides facility consultation, all at no cost. Congratulations to Mr. White and his committed staff.

Employee(s) of the Year – Cathy Torres and Meredith Powers, LMHC. The employee(s) of the year are chosen for those who show exemplary commitment to the spirit and mission of the Agency.

Volunteer of the Year – Gary Carskaddan. Mr. Carskaddan has volunteered on behalf of Children’s Friend at all its events during the year, serves on committees, and has donated valuable products that ensure our events are successful. His tireless work has helped us further our mission of improving the lives of children and those who love them. Mr. Carksaddan is a corporator of Children’s Friend, and Director of The Holy Cross fund at the College of the Holy Cross. We are lucky to have Gary as a good friend of Children’s Friend.

A very special piano performance was provided in honor of Children’s Friend’s 160th anniversary by Mackenzie Melemed, a Paxton resident and eighth grade student at Bancroft School in Worcester. Mackenzie has performed five times at the White House and at Carnegie Hall. Our attendees were delighted to hear the wonderful classical pieces Mackenzie performed, and there were rave reviews all around. To learn more about this uniquely talented young man, check out his website at: http://www.lilpianoman.freeservers.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. DENARO!

Jennifer Denaro, Psy.D., recently received her doctorate from the The University of Hartford Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology. Her dissertation title was “Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in the Treatment of Adolescent Girls with Borderline Personality Features in an Outpatient Community Mental Health Setting.” Dr. DeNaro is the leader of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy team at Children’s Friend.

NEW PROGRAM AT OUR GRIEF CENTER
The Carriage House is a grief support center for children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent, primary caregiver, or a sibling. Simultaneous grief support groups for surviving parents and caregivers are also being offered.

We are pleased to announce our new program, an Adults Only Grief Support Group for parents whose children do not attend The Carriage House grief center.

If you would like to attend our next round of volunteer facilitator training or register for The Carriage House, please call Dr. Johanna Sagarin at 508-753-5425