Recent News & Events
11/19/08 – Star-Ledger Article
"Without sister, twin boy needs holiday help."
BY CARLY ROTHMAN
Star-Ledger Staff
Shalene was the only constant in her twin brother Shamar's chaotic life.
Shamar had Shalene when they lived on the streets with their drug-abusing dad. Shamar had Shalene when their mom got out of prison and they were sent to live with her. When their mother abused them, the twins went together to stay with their aunt.
But then last spring, Shalene was killed at age 14.
Suddenly alone, Shamar stopped eating and sleeping. Unable to shake the memory of Shalene in her casket, he couldn't leave his apartment without fear.
Meanwhile, Shamar's aunt struggled to cope with their shared grief. Unemployed, and with a severely ill child of her own to care for, she was soon overwhelmed by the family's financial and emotional pressures.
Today, things are improving thanks to the help of FAMILY Connections, a nonprofit providing counseling and other support to children and families. Shamar is learning to cope with his grief, while his aunt has received financial assistance and enrolled in prep classes to earn her GED.
Despite this progress, Shamar and his aunt dread the holidays -- their first without Shalene.
Shamar's aunt is relying on the help of the Greater Newark Holiday Fund to lighten this dark time for Shamar. [To view this article on the Star-Ledger website, CLICK HERE.
11/21/08
The SPACE at Orange High School - Community Liaison Board Meeting
11/19/08
Reunity House Graduation Ceremony for Families completing the Nurturing Parenting Program. The families completed the Nurturing Parenting Program for Parents and Children 0-5 years old. Both parents and children participated in the curriculum, which included 5 weeks of infant massage and 10 weeks of "Music Together."
11/13/08
The Hub: Gang Awareness & Prevention Workshop for Parents – Maplewood Middle School
10/22/08
Rise&Shine Fall Conference, Featuring
Dr. Janis DiCiacco:
"A Neurobiological Approach to Potential
Long-Term Effects of Early Trauma and Loss." Funded
by:
9/13/08
Third Annual Rise&Shine Community Fair
Our 2008 Gala Fourth Annual International Tasting
Our Fourth Annual International Tasting in May at the Montclair Museum was a warm and festive celebration of FAMILYConnections' recent growth and continuing success. 200 supporters mingled with friends old and new, sampled the fare of more than a dozen restaurants and caterers, and heard a compelling speech by Kevin Ryan, former Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families and current head of The MCJ Amelior Foundation.
FAMILYConnections is deeply committed to providing aid where the need is greatest and the resources most limited. And, as always, these efforts are founded on the conviction that the people we serve can build on their own strengths to overcome obstacles and thereby grow and succeed. But we couldn't deliver on our mission without the confidence, enthusiasm, and continued support of all of you who contribute to our work. So thank you for standing with us as we branch out, providing comfort, safety and strength to our neighbors.
A heartfelt thank you to every one of our Gala Sponsors and Donors for their generous support.
Special thanks also to the Participating Restaurants and Caterers for their generous – and delicious – contributions. We encourage everyone to return the favor by frequenting their businesses.