Center for Families

Monday, October 27, 2014

Yelp Helps: Celebrating Every Day Heroes

Those who look to make their mark on Madison joined Yelp for the first-ever Yelp Helps event that celebrated every day heroes.

In collaboration with Madison Nonprofit Day & Northside Planning Council, 10 local nonprofits displayed their work and provided opportunities for the community to pledge their support and volunteer interests.

Center for Families held a Discovery Toy making station to demonstrate how children learn through play. Participants made toys using every day materials and donated them back to the Center to be distributred to the children we serve in our Respite, Play & Learn, and Home Visiting programs.

We greatly appreciate those that attended Yelp Helps and a special thank you to those that engaged with our activity.

For more information about Yelp Helps, visit: http://www.yelp.com/events/madison-yelp-helps-celebrating-everyday-heroes

Friday, September 5, 2014

Center for Families takes a slimy new spin on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Friday, September 5, 2014 at 11:45am at Center for Families, 2120 Fordem Ave - Madison.

Staff and Board members of Center for Families have been nominated to complete the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in support of raising money for the treatment and prevention of ALS, or "Lou Gehrig's Disease”. To show their support for ALS, as well as raising awareness for the prevention of child abuse, Center for Families will be putting a new spin on the challenge. A slimy challenge.

With the help of the children from the Play & Learn Program and the Respite Center, staff and Board members will be on the receiving end of getting slime dumped on them (instead of ice) during the sensory-play activity. For the children, this sensory-play activity will teach them about physical properties, practice sharing and taking turns, exploring their senses, learning about cause and effect, strengthening muscles in hands and fingers, and how to have fun and hopefully create a lasting memory of community support.

Slimed participants will be making a financial donation to ASL as well as making a matching donation to Center for Families. Monies raised for Center for Families will go to support the fundamental work provided to strengthen families and prevent child abuse in our community.

Visit our Facebook page to see the videos and photos!

Friday, August 1, 2014

Center for Families becomes signatory in the Baskin v Bogan marriage equality case

Center for Families has agreed to be a Signatory on a child-focused amicus brief in the Baskin v. Bogan marriage equality case pending in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. This is a marriage equality case from Indiana; however, Wisconsin is part of the 7th circuit, so they are seeking signatories from several organizations in our state. We are proud to be part of the efforts to end marriage discrimination in the United States. As a signatory, the name Center for Families will be included on a list of supporting organizations along with the following statement.

“Center for Families’ mission is to partner with parents to nurture, protect and teach their children. We provide a number of services that are consistent with and support this mission. To be useful to all caregivers of children, we work on the principle that a family is defined by its members - the people who support and care for each other on a regular basis. But, we know, access to private, social supports is not enough for families. For parents/caregivers to be successful, an infrastructure of public policies and laws that support all families is essential. We believe that marriage discrimination is a road block for many families, inhibiting their ability to give their children one of the things they need to be competent and contributing adults; the knowledge that their parent’s relationship is respected and recognized socially and legally.”

Oral arguments in this case, Baskin v. Bogan, have been scheduled for August 26th, 2014.

#‎marriageequality

Thursday, July 10, 2014

“Paint the Town Blue” celebrates the work of Center for Families on behalf of area children and families

Contact: Julie Sheldon

julies@centerforfamilies.org
Direct: 608.729.1142

“Paint the Town Blue” celebrates the work of Center for Families
on behalf of area children and families

Event is Thursday, August 14, 2014 from 5:30-8:00 pm

at the Center for Families offices, 2120 Fordem Ave.

Madison, WI (July 10, 2014) -- The staff and board of Center for Families invites the community to share in great food, music, and celebratory socializing—while learning more about the Center’s important work on behalf of children and families.

A highlight of the evening will be the Center’s “Good People Awards,” honoring the unsung heroes of our community who are making a difference through their support of the Center’s valuable work. This year’s award recipients are

Helping Good People Do Good Things Award: Madison Community Foundation
Good as Gold Award: Steve Goldberg, Executive Director, CUNA Mutual Group Foundation
Good Works Award: WINGS (Women in God’s Service) Quilting Group
Good Company Award: Baird Financial Group
Good Conversation Award: Rev. Dr. Alexander Gee, Jr, Pastor of Fountain of Life Covenant Church and the President/Founder of the Nehemiah Center
Fight the Good Fight, Run the Good Race Award: Erica Nelson, Race to Equity Project

We will also feature:

Live Music by local performer, Troye Shanks
Delicious Food and dessert from Market Street Catering
Fellowship with other Center Supporters
Silent Auction
Children’s Art Show, featuring the creations of children we serve
Agency and Program Tours: an opportunity to learn more about our valuable work with children & families from the people who are making it happen

In keeping with past “Paint the Town Blue” traditions, the entire building will be decked out in its finest, resonant with the blue hues of the local and national “blue ribbon campaign against child abuse” in which the Center plays a crucial role.

Throughout the evening, our staff and the members of our board of directors will serve as ambassadors, helping lead tours and answer questions.”

Ticket fees and monies raised will go to support the fundamental work we do to strengthen families and prevent child abuse. Guests are asked to make reservations and payment through the organization’s website at www.centerforfamilies.org . Contact Julie Sheldon for more information at 608.729.142 or julies@centerforfamilies.org.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

WKOW News visits Center for Families

WKOW Channel 27 reporter Tony Galli reports on the recent increase in child abuse cases. He toured our Welcome Baby and Respite Center programs today to learn more about the fundamental work we do to prevent child abuse. See the coverage here: http://www.wkow.com/story/25970156/2014/07/08/programs-help-reinforce-healthy-parenting-address-child-abuse

Monday, October 8, 2012

Paint the Town Blue 2012

Paint the Town Blue - A celebration of securing a safe and happy future for Dane County's children. With a mission to "Support parents in their efforts to nurture, protect and teach their children," Center for Families is proud to have hosted the 4th annual Paint the Town Blue.

Paint the Town Blue 2012 took place on August 16, 2012 from 6:30 -9:30 PM. We had a beautiful venue at the Boardman & Clark Law Firm 4th floor atrium and deck overlooking the Capital square. (Left) View from 4th floor deck.

This annual event supports our programs and raises awareness of how our community works to support families and prevent child abuse. The nine programs at Center for Families address this issue from all directions. Every child deserves a safe place to call home, outlets for learning and playing, and an adult they can depend upon. Our home visiting, respite/crisis child care, early childhood education and parent education programs, reach out to families in need. We are here to be an ally for parents, to help them help their children grow up strong and healthy. We are all STRONGER TOGETHER.

This year, Paint the Town Blue featured The Good People Awards to acknowledge a few outstanding community leaders. Another thank you and congratulations goes out to all of our award winners:

GOOD STUFF AWARD - Pat Doucette ( AT&T Pioneers)
For countless years of donating necessary things and money to welcome babies into a nurturing world.

GOOD SHEPHERD AWARD - Covenant Presbyterian Church
For being the west side home of Parents' Place - a place for parents to learn.

GOOD DEEDS AWARD - Exchange Club of Sun Prairie
From the beginning - supporting the first Dane County home visiting program - a model for child abuse prevention.

GOOD FOUNDATION AWARD - Peg Scholtes, Fran Nelson, Patty Warner & Meg Miller
For founding Family Centers in 1989 which grew and developed into Center for Families in 2011.

GOOD WORKS AWARD - Donna Thompson & Dave Neelsen (Hand to Hand)
Special event coordinators extraordinaire - swinging and grilling to help families.

A big THANK YOU goes out to all the artists that donated to our silent auction:

A big THANK YOU goes out to all of our 2012 sponsors:

This year Paint the Town Blue had:

Over 150 guests in attendance
15 generous sponsors
120 auction items provided by 56 artists and several local businesses.
and raised just over $17,000

We could not have done any of this without all of you support!
Thank you for believing in our mission and what we do here at Center for Families.

To view more photos from
Paint the Town Blue
Click Here

Download a copy of the Paint the Town Blue Program - Click Here

For more information about Center for Families visit www.centerforfamilies.org

http://www.flickr.com/photos/centerforfamilies/sets/72157631325482688/show/http://www.flickr.com/photos/centerforfamilies/sets/72157631325482688/show/

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Our NEW brochures are here!

Nine great Center for Families programs under one folder.

Introducing our new Center for Families’ brochure is a pleasure after using outdated, individual program materials well in to the second year of our merger. It was worth the wait. The new brochures, printing donated by American Family, takes on a uniform look for Center for Families that sends the message that we are “Stronger Together”.