December 30, 2011
by Marci Garson
When I first met Darnell,* his dark eyes darted downward as he politely shook my hand. His social worker told me that avoiding eye contact is a defense mechanism for this troubled 11 year-old.
[“Darnell” is not my young friend’s real name.]
The next time I went to visit him, he read to me from books well advanced for his age; books about bugs and insects. Darnell is fascinated by bugs.
So the following week, I toted a book of puzzles and facts called “Awesome Nature.” I couldn’t wait to see Darnell’s face as he perused the yucky details describing nearly every creature that crawls and slithers in the dirt.
But this time, when I got to the Jewish Child Care Association’s Cottage Schools in Pleasantville, where Darnell lives, along with more than 300 other abused and neglected inner-city kids, Darnell wasn’t there. His counselors weren’t allowed to tell me why the sixth grader had been sent to the hospital; all they could say was that this little boy with the big vocabulary, the boy who first avoided my gaze and then hugged me and begged me to come back on Tuesdays and Thursdays, wasn’t feeling good about himself. That was the day before Thanksgiving.
Inner-city youths must rely on strangers for comfort
It is not unusual for a child in Darnell’s situation to have a setback; yet, if he does, he is lucky to be in this safe, structured environment, surrounded by a dedicated staff as well as by a multitude of volunteers. The level of personal attention these children receive is enormous; there are “lunch ladies,” high school kids who mentor and tutor, as well as Bar and Bat Mitzvah youths who have chosen the Cottage Schools to perform their required “mitzvahs.”
Many of these volunteers are from Chappaqua, including Rachel Rader and Wendi Winshall, the co-chairs of this January’s “A Tree Grows in Pleasantville” fundraiser. “It’s the personal attention that makes a difference,” Rader stresses, but admits that tending to these children’s needs “is expensive and the JCCA can’t do it alone.”
This annual benefit has raised a total of $1.5 million over the past six years—money that the non-profit JCCA has used for everything from educational explorations to internship programs, field trips, holiday parties, sports equipment, books, clothing and school supplies. “Our budget has been affected by cuts in public funding,” says Lisa Sherman-Cohen, Director of Communications and Marketing for the JCCA. “Still confronted with a continuing economic downturn,” Sherman-Cohen explains, “we need help to bridge the gap between government funding and necessary operating expenses.”
Temple Beth El Synogogue teams up once again with JCCA
Last year the “Tree” event made a record-breaking $340,000 and this year the JCCA expects to do even better, especially since Temple Beth El in Chappaqua has joined forces with the JCCA by hosting this year’s gala, which also celebrates the Cottage School’s 100th anniversary, in Temple Beth El’s stunning new social hall.
The fundraiser will be the first event to be held at the Temple’s brand new social hall, “a natural fit,” notes Sherman-Cohen. In the early 1950’s, the Congregation held Sunday-school classes at the Cottage School’s Pleasantville Campus. Since then, Beth El’s congregants and families have volunteered their time and effort to the kids at Cottage School.
I’m sure many of you are inundated with party invitations and pleas to help the needy in our area this Holiday season. Still, you may want to put The Cottage Schools, “A Tree Grows in Pleasantville” invite on your “yes” pile. Even if you can’t go to the January 7th fundraiser and enjoy the cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while listening to alumni tell how the Cottage School experience helped make them healthy, productive members of society, there are so many other ways that you can make a difference to kids like Darnell, who, as I write this article is still in the psychiatric care center at the hospital. As soon as Darnell is able to return to his pristine cottage, hand-decorated by volunteers with navy blue curtains and cloud-covered powder blue walls, I plan to be there, my book of bugs in my hand.
January 7, 2012
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Temple Beth El Social Hall
220 South Bedford Road
Chappaqua
Attend the Event:
Purchase tickets and join us for a festive winter evening with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment. Tickets are $100, of which $75 is tax-deductible.
Make an Additional Donation:
Plant a seed of hope for our youth by making an additional gift and watch your investment bloom throughout the seasons.
Become a Sponsor
Consider joining our list of major contributors whose support is vital to the youth we serve.
Please visit WWW.JCCANY.ORG/TREE to purchase tickets, sponsorships, or simply make a contribution.
Marci Garson is an Emmy-award winning television reporter. For 15 years she covered national news on Capitol Hill and local news in Miami, Florida, Connecticut and New York. Garson moved to Chappaqua in 1995 to raise her two boys.
Copyright 2012 NewCastleNOW.org