Monday, October 2, 2006

Text Box: Calendar of Events Last Week: 9/25 “Berkshire Farms Foster Care” – Lori DeLuccia This Week: 10/2 “The Trees Were Still Standing” – The Katrina Disaster – Terry Amrhein Next Week: 10/9 Columbus Day – No Meeting Coming Up: 10/21 Apple Run – 5K Coming Up: 10/23 U. S. Postal Service Rep. – “The History of Mail” Coming Up: 10/30 Spouse Night – “Stroke Prevention” – Valerie Osborn from Life Screening Note: We welcome spouses and visitors to any and all BH-BL Rotary Club programs. No need to wait for “Spouse Night” to enjoy a program of interest Coming Up: 11/7 Apple Pie Festival – Election Day – HS Cafeteria Note: The regular meeting night is now Monday at Millstone Lodge Invocation: George Bailey, Garry Morrow, Dan Stec or Bob Youmans Please give suggestions for future programs to Ron Serapilio  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Announcements 

 

 

 

 


●         Guests Bob Fenton and Don Marshall were introduced by Steve Caine.  Jodie Turpen was introduced by Doug, all of whom were warmly welcomed back to Rotary

 

●         President Linda Thanked Ron and Ken for the timely BOD minutes and budget summaries produced in timely and accurate fashion on short notice.

 

●         Paul Lewandowski passed around the assignment sheet for the Apple Run along with a poster and entry form for members to post.  The “bag stuffing frenzy” is schedule for after the meeting on October 16th.  As many members as possible are encouraged to stay and help out.

 

●         Dick O’Rourke announced that all Entertainment books are sold with only 10 left to distribute.

 

●         George Bailey said he has visited Stan Garrison in his new home.  Stan is not getting out right now but would welcome calls and visits.  His new address is 156 Lawrence St., Apt. 313 Susanna, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  Tel: (518) 584-6720

 

 

 

 

 

●         Ron Serapilio said that Apple Pie assignments and tickets would be passed out next week

 

●         Dan Stec brought greetings from district governor Anne Cargile and  announced upcoming District events as follows:

        - Rotary bus trip to the UN, Nov. 4

                - Rotary leadership Institute, Nov. 11, Sienna College

      - Foundation Fair, Oct. 21, Clifton Park Community Church, 516 Moe Rd.

 

 

Text Box: Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth – Foster Care 

 

 


Lori Deluccia made an excellent presentation on this 120 year old nonprofit social services organization that works statewide with over 3000 at risk children and their families.  The ultimate goal for these children is permanency in their own communities.  This goal is pursued in a myriad of programs including school based prevention, group homes, detention services, residential treatment and follow up support and foster care.  Lori’s presentation was focused on foster care.

 

Berkshire offers both therapeutic and treatment foster care as well as respite care for families.  Therapeutic foster care is an alternative for children who would otherwise be placed in group homes.  Treatment foster care offers specialized treatment for children needing direct placement or who are Persons in need of supervision or adjudicated delinquents.  It is also available to persons coming from a higher level of care.  

 

Berkshire currently offers foster care to about 140 children in 65 foster homes distributed over 15 counties in the Capital Region.  Berkshire is actively recruiting foster homes to serve the large and growing number of children needing such care in our area.  The certification process for a foster family takes about three months to complete and includes a ten week class covering expectations for foster parents and coaching on nurturing and management of children and youth in this setting.

 

Berkshire provides extensive support services for foster families.  These include weekly or bi-weekly meetings with family support specialists, psychologists that work with children and foster parents as needed, a 24X7 on call hot line, and monthly meetings of foster parent advisory groups to offer support, training and networking opportunities.

 

Lori provided contact information for those who might be interested.

 

Reported by Garry Morrow

Text Box: Serve with us – the world is waiting