Putting a Fresh Focus on Children
It's tough being a kid these days. Issues that create stress for parents - losing a job or home to a bad economy, divorcing, having a loved one in the military and away at war - can hit children even harder. Daily reports of violence in the media, competition at school and confusing messages about use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs all feed stress.
The pressures children face can put them at risk for developing lifelong mental health problems, said NewBridge Associate Executive Director L. Michelle Borden, LCSW. "Without recognition, intervention and support, these stressful experiences have a long-lasting and damaging effect on the lives of our children," Borden said.
Mary Vineis, DRCC, coordinator of NewBridge prevention services, said society expects so much from children when in fact their brains won't fully develop until they reach their mid-20's. "The need for positive coping skills and better decision-making skills are so great," Vineis said.
NewBridge has a history of investing in services that nurture and support children of all ages. "When you focus on children, you focus on the future," said NewBridge Executive Director Robert L. Parker. NewBridge:
- Works with children as young as 3 whose inability to deal with playmates and caregivers requires intervention (See counseling story on page 6)
- Provides school workshops that help youngsters develop skills to navigate life
- Runs after-school recreation programs to keep middle schoolers engaged and safe
- Counsels youngsters when a crisis strikes
- Arranges summer jobs for at-risk teenagers
- Helps high school dropouts earn high school diplomas and prepare for college and professions
NewBridge has designated children (along with senior citizens) as the focus of its new "Are You One?" fundraising campaign. While NewBridge continues its longstanding commitment to children, a drop in funding threatens continuation of its essential programs for them.
"Children today have tremendous potential to be responsible and caring adults, but with all the distractions and complications that life throws their way, they need the safety net NewBridge provides," Parker said.
Read more by downloading the entire newsletter: February 2010 (PDF - 316 kb)
Past Issues
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Issue | |
| Nov 2009 | PDF - 403 kb | |
| Aug 2009 | PDF - 232 kb | |
| May 2009 | PDF - 258 kb | |
| February 2009 | PDF - 254 kb | |
| November 2008 | PDF - 206 kb | |
| August 2008 | PDF - 206 kb | |
| May 2008 | PDF - 293 kb | |
| Feb 2008 | PDF - 304 kb | |
| Nov 2007 | PDF - 349 kb | |
| Aug 2007 | PDF - 593 kb | |
| May 2007 | PDF - 242 kb | |
| Feb 2007 | PDF - 229 kb | |
| Nov 2006 | PDF - 345 kb | |
| Aug 2006 | PDF - 1.7 MB | |
| May 2006 | PDF - 969 kb | |
| February 2006 | PDF - 969 kb | |
| November 2005 | PDF - 995 kb | |
| August 2005 | PDF - 361 kb | |
| June 2005 | PDF - 1.2 MB | |
| January 2005 | PDF - 1.5 MB | |
| December 2004 | PDF - 1.5 MB | |
| August 2004 | PDF - 269kb | |
| May 2004 | PDF - 269kb | |
| March 2004 | PDF - 114kb |