CCGB Takes a Seat at 2011 Fairfield County
Leadership Development Roundtable Program
The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Dale Holder , Program Director of The Council's Janus Center for Youth in Crisis, for participation in the 2011 Fairfield County Leadership Development Roundtable (LDR) Program.
The Fairfield County LDR Program selects highly qualified and aspiring young leaders for the purpose of building capacity to lead a non-profit organization within the next four to five years. In response to his selection Mr. Holder observed, “I am deeply appreciative of being chosen to participate from a field of many qualified applicants. Since I've worked in the non-profit sector, I've always envisioned myself leading an organization. The LDR program will provide me with opportunity to develop my leadership skills so that I am equipped to fulfill this vision to positively impact, in a new way, the community in which I serve.”
Mr. John Cottrell, Chief Operating Officer of The Council, declared “ Dale Holder has provided excellent leadership in addressing the needs of at-risk and homeless youth in his direction of the Janus Center for Youth in Crisis. His selection for the LDR will only enhance his service to young people and their families.”
The Fairfield County Community Foundation and the People's United Community Foundation have been long-time supporters of the Janus Center . The Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt, Chief Executive Officer of The Council, announced “This recognition of Mr. Holder's leadership capabilities by those who have worked closely with him is gratifying to us as we strive toward excellence in programming and personnel throughout The Council of Churches.”
The 2011 Fairfield County Cohort of the LDR begins January 14, 2011 and comprises eleven sessions concluding in May, 2011.
Veronica Cruz
Wins RYASAP’s “Above and Beyond Award”
By Dale R.
Holder
Director of
the Janus Center for Youth in Crisis
This year at RYASAP’s
Annual Meeting, Veronica Cruz, Case Manager
for the Janus Center for Youth in Crisis,
was one of the recipients of the “Above and
Beyond” award. This award is given to
people who work tirelessly to improve their
community and the lives of the people they
serve.
Veronica was nominated
by Jan Lester, Regional Action Council
Director and Director of Wellness at RYASAP.
Jan facilitated a training series, in which
Veronica participated, called Raising the
Bar. This training was a compilation of
various different programs geared towards
gender-specific programming, the importance
of focusing on girls, Best Practice, and
developing benchmarks of best practice. Jan
quickly realized Veronica’s work ethic and
enthusiasm for helping young girls in crisis
and felt that she would be an excellent
candidate to receive this award, and we at
The Council of Churches wholeheartedly
agree!
Veronica has been with
the Janus Center (a program of The Council
of Churches of Greater Bridgeport) for over
three years, and her work with youth in
crisis has been outstanding since day one.
With ease and professionalism, she is able
to diffuse highly volatile situations and
works wholeheartedly to help the youth or
families devise a solid plan of action.
As a mother of three
beautiful children, Veronica has a vested
interest in making her community a better
place for her kids. She realizes that
today’s kids are our future, so she fights
to make sure that the youth referred to
Janus Center stay on the right track. She
always has the ability to see youth for
their potential, not their problem, and this
is what makes her such a valuable asset at
Janus Center.
Read
Dale Holder's article on
Janus Center ’s
National Safe Place Week Poetry
Contest
in the
Safe Place’s newsletter “The
Connection”.
click to read Dale's article
Fairfield Fire Department
and Safe Place…A Great Match
By Dale R. Holder
Fairfield Fire Department Chief Richard S.
Felner has been a strong ally for the Safe
Place program for many years and when he was
initially approached about having all
Fairfield stations becoming a part of the
Safe Place network, he immediately signed on
without hesitation. He realized the
importance of having a “safety-net” in the
community for youth who experience crisis
situations. The Fairfield Fire Stations
were a natural fit with the program because
1) they are recognizable and 2) youth have
24 hour access to them.
Safe
Place is a program of the Janus Center for
Youth in Crisis. Currently there are 37
Safe Place sites and 25 GBTA buses that act
as mobile sites in the Greater Bridgeport
area. Most of these sites are housed at
fire stations, libraries, and community
centers and have trained staff who knows how
to help the youth when they accesses them.
The Safe Place program works in conjunction
with Janus Center’s 24-hour crisis hotline
where staff can be dispatched immediately to
help the youth in trouble. Once staff
arrives at the Safe Place, they offer the
youth access to full Janus Center services
which includes advocacy, mediation, and a
temporary emergency shelter option if the
youth is unable to return home.
Collaborating with
Janus Center –A Provider’s
Perspective
By Anne K.
Carbonaro
The staff at
the Regional Adolescent Program
(RAP) are honored and pleased to
collaborate with the Janus Center.
Together thru providing separate and
distinct services but working on
common goals we establish a client
and family centered treatment plan
which will address the specific
needs of each individual. Thru safe
respite care, intensive case
management and appropriate treatment
improvement outcomes are more likely
and prevalent. We also without a
doubt enjoy working alongside their
dedicated, caring, responsible
staff. With their tireless efforts
and enthusiasm we are proud to work
alongside them.
Each one of
Janus Center’s staff members bring
to the table many unique talents.
When dealing with a resistant and
very difficult population they are
able to break through these barriers
and establish trusting
relationships. They also share a
comradery amongst each other
utilizing their specialized skills
and end up functioning like a
finely- tuned machine. The staff
also exemplifies complete
professionalism, empathy, patience,
and respect for the individuals they
work with and outside resources they
utilize.
RAP, being a
provider for Janus Center and
utilizing them often, is quite clear
that the needs of their clientele
are being met. Janus Center
provides a safe, healthy, nurturing
environment which enables all
involved to embrace the services
rendered. I have personally
witnessed both staff and
administration work collaboratively
to ensure their Mission Statement
and Philosophy. RAP plans to
continue to work with Janus Center
and continue to enjoy the
relationship we have established
over the years.
Anne K. Carbonaro
Regional Adolescent Program
Clinical Coordinator
CAC/CCS/CCDP/MATS
For more information please contact
Dale Holder, Program Director at
203.334.1121
Youth Resources
CCGB's affiliate organizations
include:
The
National Runaway Switchboard
Their
mission is "to help keep America’s
runaway and at-risk youth safe and
off the streets." The
organization is a resource for
teenagers and anyone who cares about
teens. Their 24-hour crisis
line has experienced front-line team
members who are always ready to help
callers. Calls are anonymous,
confidential and free.
1-800-RUNAWAY.
National Safe Place
"Safe
Place is the first step to help for
any youth in crisis or at risk. This
community collaboration program,
operated by youth shelters or youth
serving agencies make it possible
for any youth to access help at
locations including fast food
restaurants, convenience stores,
fire stations, libraries and city
buses which display the Safe Place
sign."
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24-hour Mobile
Crisis Intervention
