Meg Miller. Advocate. Friend.

It is with a heavy heart to report that Meg Miller, Respite Center extraordinaire, friend and advocate, passed away this morning, August 9, 2017 at Agrace Hospice.  In addition to many positive aspects that Meg brought to those that met her, she leaves behind the legacy of The Respite Center program at RISE (formerly Center for Families).  Meg helped to establish The Respite Center program as one of the community’s most treasured resources to support families experiencing high levels of stress.

During Meg’s 34-year career at the Respite Center, she helped countless families with crisis and emergency care for children, and without judgement, she empowered and advocated for parents to be the best they can.  Anyone that has walked through the doors of the Respite Center can see the impact of Meg's vision and leadership to make the Respite Center a safe place for kids. 

Below is the obituary she wrote some months ago. It’s funny and very much in her voice.

--

Meg Miller lost her most appreciative audience when she died on Wednesday, August 9, …..Sad!
Meg was born on the 1st or 2nd of November 1951 in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. Meg was fourth and favorite child of Isabel Grimm Miller and Victor Miller both whom preceded her in death, as did brother -in-law Rudy Pineda.  She is survived by her siblings, John (Kate Bonafield) Miller, Mary Miller Pineda,Jane Miller and Mark (Joan Ravanelli) Miller.  Other people who added joy to her life include many nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, co-workers and friends. She loved them all.
Meg had a lucky life but the luckiest thing about it was her wonderful immediate family – husband, Mike Strader, son, Charlie Strader, and daughter, Maggie Strader. All of who are good people and will continue to live thoughtful and meaningful lives without her. Or else.
For 34 years Meg worked at the Respite Center, a 24-hour crisis childcare and parent support center. She was passionate about her work and grew strength from the incredible bravery, hope, and humor that she witnessed daily. Working at the Respite Center made her a better person and she hoped that any memorials on her behalf be made to the Respite Center, a program of RISE, 2120 Fordem Ave. Madison 53704. (Specify Meg/Respite in comment section for online memorials HERE)
Meg will be buried at the Nature Path Sanctuary on August 19th at 1:00 pm. All are welcome.
A celebration, with some sadness, of Meg’s life, will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 the evening of August 19th at the Goodman Center, 149 Waubesa Street In Madison. All are welcome to share a beverage, a bite to eat and a few good stories. The rumor is Mike’s buying!

Center for Families and Community Partnerships finalize merger with new agency name

Madison, WI, - May 20, 2017

RISE – Helping Community & Family Thrive. Community Partnerships and Center for Families announced the name and logo of the newly merged agency at our 5/19/17 Circle of Hope fundraiser. RISE was chosen as the new agency name because it symbolizes the determination, growth and optimism of both agencies. More importantly, it represents the resiliency of our program participants. The individuals and families we serve have overcome adversity, trauma, and tragedy. Our services and programs provide support, hope, and compassion to help people overcome barriers in their lives.

RISE serves over 6,800 children, families and individuals each year.  Our programs and services help those in our community most in need to overcome mental health and health crises, poverty, homelessness, academic challenges and more. The programs at RISE include: Parent Child Home Program, The Respite Center, Welcome Baby, Early Childhood Initiative, Children Come First, Transition to Independence, Court Ordered Evaluations, and Comprehensive Community Services. 

We will be rolling out the new name and logo over the summer.  A special thank you to Candorem for guiding the re-branding process and to Green Clock Films for producing our reveal video:

Contact information

RISE (formerly Community Partnerships and Center for Families) 

  Business office: 1334 Dewey Court – Madison, WI  53703 Ph. 608.250.6634 

  Secondary office: 2120 Fordem Avenue – Madison, WI  53704 Ph. 608.241.5150

  RISEwisconsin.org | Fed ID: 91-2064768

Other RISE locations (Early Childhood Initiative):

2225 Allied Drive #4 – Madison, WI 53711

3301 Leopold Way, #108 – Madison, WI  53713

5810 Russet Road, #3 – Madison, WI  53711

1632 West Main Street, #9 – Sun Prairie, WI  53589

###

For inquiries, contact Julie Sheldon at 608.729.1142, julies@centerforfamilies.org 

Merging for the Future (by Madison Community Foundation)

We are honored to be featured along with Community Partnerships about our recent merger in the Madison Community Foundation Spring newsletter. 

Image may be too small to read so we'll be sure to share the online article when it becomes available. If you receive a hard copy of the newsletter, jump ahead to page 6!

To learn more about the merger and to be part of the new organization name reveal, be sure to get your tickets to Circle of Hope today!  Tickets available at:
 http://www.community-partnerships.org/get-involved/circle-of-hope-2/

The Merger is Official. Now What!?

It’s official- we merged with Community Partnerships on April 1st, 2017! So where are the balloons and confetti? We’re waiting until Circle of Hope on May 19th to really celebrate and announce our merger details and new identity as one organization. Until then, you will see Center for Families and Community Partnerships continue to use our separate names and contact information. Over the next several weeks we will be working hard to re-brand all the necessary parts to our organizations and finalize all of the behind the scenes details. We can’t wait to celebrate at Circle of Hope! Until then, we’ve had a bit of fun with re-branding and the growing curiosity around it all. While our April 1st official merge date was a bit anticlimactic in terms of parties and celebrations, we did have some fun with the fact that April 1st was also April Fools Day.

Don’t worry, the logo was just an APRIL FOOLS joke! 

To see the real logo and full re-brand, reserve your tickets to our CIrcle of Hope event on Friday, May 19th.  Ticket info HERE.  $45/person.  Lots of fun!

Have you heard? We’re merging!

If you received our recent annual appeal letter, then you read that Center for Families is currently in the process of merging with another local non-profit, Community Partnerships, on 4/1/2017. This opportunity brings growth and enrichment for both organizations, as well as for our community. Through this merger, Community Partnerships and Center for Families will serve over 6,800 children, families, and individuals combined annually. Our programs and services will provide support, connection, education, and stabilization to some of those with the highest needs in our community that experience mental health and health crises, poverty, homelessness, children that are not succeeding academically, and much more.

This merger will offer increased support and infrastructure across programs so that we are able to reach more families, children, and individuals each year and provide a broader and more comprehensive array of strengths-based, individualized services with an integrated approach. While this is an exciting next step for the future of both organizations and our community, there is still much work to be done to prepare. We look forward to keeping you informed and updated on next steps in the coming months.

Save-the date: Friday, May 19, 2017
Circle of Hope will celebrate the merger of two leading non-profits in Dane County, Community Partnerships and Center for Families, as we unveil a newly combined organization! 

Learn more: http://www.community-partnerships.org/get-involved/circle-of-hope-2/

Exclusive behind-the-scenes event

The Center for Families, the Board of Directors is honored to share with you our excitement that Center for Families is in the process of a merger with Community Partnerships, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to coordinate a system of care to advance mental health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities.  We believe that through this merger we will be able to provide a stronger continuum of care to children and families; be positioned to expand early childhood education and home visiting, and build mental health capacity throughout all programs. It is important to us that as a supporter, you are informed of this exciting news early in the merger process. 

To  learn more about the merger, we invite you to our Sneak Peek Event:

Click now to RSVP

For more information on Center for Families, visit our website.

2016 Year End Letter

As we approach the end of our calendar year, and as a valued supporter of Center for Families, the Board of Directors is honored to share with you our excitement that Center for Families is in the process of a merger with Community Partnerships, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to coordinate a system of care to advance mental health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities.  We believe that through this merger we will be able to provide a stronger continuum of care to children and families; be positioned to expand early childhood education and home visiting, and build mental health capacity throughout all programs. It is important to us that as a supporter, you are informed of this exciting news early in the merger process. As we move closer to the final date, we will keep you informed of the progress, and look forward to you sharing in the celebration and unveiling of the merged organization at the Circle of Hope event on May 19th, 2017.

We recognize that your contribution, past and future, is a strong investment into our family programs.  Our promise to you is that we are committed to building stronger families and stronger communities through this merger.

Respite and Crisis Care ❚ Early literacy and School Readiness Programs ❚ Home Visiting Programs ❚ Parental Stress Support ❚ Education in Child Development ❚ Support Groups/Workshops

We continue to need your support because there are still too many children growing up without a strong foundation and are not learning key life skills.    But Dane county’s most vulnerable citizens, its young children and their families, can, and are, receiving care and support through Center for Families family-focused, culturally responsive, and proactive programming.

Each day, we transform your support into a moment of peace and a piece of hope for local families.  Please consider a tax deductible gift to Center for Families.  Your gift will allow us to help more families thrive in safe, stable environments and through early literacy education.  Please contribute to our continued growth with Community Partnerships to better serve more members of our community!

Visit our website to review our 2015 Annual Report!

If you would like to help support our cause, you may donate online, or send payment to:

Center for Families

Attn: Development Office

2120 Fordem Avenue

Madison, WI  53704

Sincerely,
Eileen Mershart, Interim Executive Director        


                                        

Meg Miller to retire after 34 years with the Respite Center program at Center for Families

Madison, WI, - December 19, 2016 – Center for Families announces the retirement of Meg Miller, the Respite Center Program Director at Center for Families, effective December 31, 2016.   Center for Families is a Dane County-based nonprofit agency that partners with parents in their efforts to nurture, protect, and teach their children. 

Miller has been at the helm of the Respite Center program since 1984.   Miller began as the Community Coordinator of the Respite Center in 1982, when it was a grassroots organization.  Since then, Miller has overseen the Respite Center program as it has provided an important safety net to families in crisis, by providing child care and parent support 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.   The Respite Center serves over 800 children from nearly 500 families on an annual basis.

In addition to managing the Respite Center program, Miller has served as Co-Director and Executive Director for Center for Families during times of transition. Miller was a significant catalyst in the merger that brought together four nonprofit agencies, including The Respite Center, into becoming Center for Families in 2011.

Following retirement, Miller is planning a vacation to Jamaica with her husband and two children.

###

If you'd like to send a note to Meg, please email eventcoord@centerforfamilies.org or mail to:

Center for Families
Attn: Meg Miller
2120 Fordem Avenue
Madison, WI  53704

Internship at the Respite Center program

Center for Families has an internship opportunity for those interested in child development and child care.  This is an unpaid position in our Respite Center program.  12-15 hours per week.


The Respite Center works with families in crisis. Our 24 hour service is built upon the belief that well timed breaks from the difficult job of being a parent can help keep a family together. We work with families when the parent/child bond is at risk due to stresses such as poverty, social isolation, alcohol and other drug abuse, physical and emotional ill health, family and community violence, or poor parenting skills. These stressors affect all members of the family, continuing or creating destructive multi-generational patterns. The Respite Center interrupts these patterns through the provision of quality child care, counseling, and crisis intervention.


Your duties as an intern will assist our child care specialist staff in caring for children from birth through fourteen years of age with a wide range of social, emotional, and physical needs. You will meet with our social work staff during training and weekly at staff meeting to learn how we ensure that every member of the family needs are identified and met. You will undergo at least 40 hours of internal training and work closely with all staff during your time here. You will attend staff meeting each week and have a training and intern supervisor to meet with as you go along. You and your supervisor will come up with a project that will help the Respite Center program and meet your academic goals.


If you are interested there are other training opportunities available to you during your time here that are outside of your scheduled hours that the Respite Center will finance such as Shaken Baby/ Sudden Infant Death training, Infant and Child training , CPR, and First Aid. If you take advantage of the extra training opportunities you will be qualified as an early child care teacher in a child care setting including the Respite Center.

For more details or to discuss internship, please contact Meg Miller at 608-729-1180 or via email at megm@centerforfamilies.org

Seeking Substitute Childcare Specialist

Center for Families is seeking a Substitute Childcare Specialist for our Respite Center program.

This position requires a flexible schedule and includes day, overnight, and weekend hours.  Experience with children birth through 14 with diverse needs preferred.  Crisis intervention experience is a plus.


Contact Meg for additional information /application packet at 729-1180 or megm@centerforfamilies.org


The Respite Center is an equal opportunity employer.  Men, minorities and bi-lingual individuals are encouraged to apply.

Earn a donation for your cause by volunteering at The Brat Stand!

Center for Families is looking to partner with team to provide setup and tear down services* for our Brat Stand fundraiser happening during each UW Football home game. We need 6 to 8 people with the ability to bend, kneel, stand, and lift 40+ pounds. Each set-up and tear-down shift last approximately 1 hour (times vary based on kickoff times of the football games). Must be 18 or older.

Center for Families will gladly make a donation to your service group, or nonprofit of your choice, as a thank you for your partnership. If interested, please contact Julie at eventcoord@centerforfamilies.org. This is a first come/first serve opportunity as we would like to partner with one, maybe two, groups for the season and beyond.

*Duties include: unloading storage garage, setting up tent, serving area, tables, garbage cans, and fencing, hanging signage and other duties as needed.

Game dates are: 9/10, 9/17, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12 and 11/26.

Get To Know Us Open House

Join us for an informal Get-To-Know-Us Open House!  Learn the impact and outcomes of our programs, hear from families as they share their success stories, and meet our team.  Take a rare behind-the-scenes tour of our Respite Center program and our Play & Learn facility.  This event is free to attend and open to all.  RSVP required.

Date: TBD.  The July 2016 was cancelled due to low attendance.  We will reschedule for Fall 2016.

Center for Families is located at 2120 Fordem Avenue, Madison, WI  53704

Reserve your seat today!  julies@centerforfamilies.org or 608.729.1142.

17th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Golf Outing

Center for Families invites you to support and participate in the 17th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Golf Outing to benefit Center for Families’ efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.  We support over 4,000 families yearly with parental support, home visiting, early childhood education and 24 hour respite/crisis child care.

Monday, June 27, 2016

**New Location for 2016!**
The Oaks Golf Course – Cottage Grove

10:30am Registration & Bloody Mary Bar 
11:00am Lunch | 12:15pm Shotgun Start

Enjoy sampling from Wisconsin Distributors on the course!

Post-play reception including: hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, & awards/prizes.

With your support, nearly $195,000 has been raised by this event to assist in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.  Together, we can do more.

Until no families need us, we need you.

 - - 

Opportunities to Participate Include:

Corporate Sponsorship | $1,500 (two available)

Includes: Name and logo on welcome banner, brochures, and program. Option to have your representative welcome golfers. Recognition of your sponsorship during reception, one hole and one pin sponsorship included, tax incentives/benefits of corporate philanthropy.

Lunch Sponsorship | $1,000 (three available)

Includes: Name and logo on lunch banner, brochures, program, and one hole sponsorship, tax incentives/benefits of corporate philanthropy.

Reception Sponsorship | $1,000 (three available)

Includes: Name and logo on reception banner, brochures, program, and one hole sponsorship, tax incentives/benefits of corporate philanthropy.

Beverage Cart Sponsorship | $500 (two available)

Includes: Name and logo on one of two carts, brochures, program, and tax incentives/benefits of corporate philanthropy.

             

 Hole Sponsorship | $250 (18 available)

A sign will prominently display your company’s name and logo on the hole and displayed on each cart’s GPS screen upon reaching the sponsored hole.

Pin Sponsorship | $150 (18 available)

Your name & logo in one color on a pin flag.  Logo will also be displayed on each cart’s GPS screen upon reaching the sponsored pin. You can keep the flag after outing!

Foursome Sponsorship | $700 (25 available)

Includes 18 holes of golf, GPS cart, lunch,  and post-play reception with the chance to win great prizes!

Register online or request registration form and register/pay via check:

Online: http://2016golfforkids.eventbrite.com

Center for Families – Attn: Julie Sheldon

2120 Fordem Avenue, Madison, WI  53704

Tel: 608.729.1142    Fax: 608.241.9621

Email: julies@centerforfamilies.org

*Checks payable to: Center for Families 

The Need for Support:

Over the past 30+ years, our various programs have brought support to more than 250,000 children and their families.  By supporting families in their time of need and providing vital parent education and resources, we are able to break the cycle of violence one family at a time.

In order to better serve the children and families facing abuse and neglect, we need your help.  100% of the proceeds from the Child Abuse Prevention Golf Outing will support our child abuse prevention programs – some of which are facing limited funding and budget cuts.  Your support can make an impact on our programs and help us respond to the needs of families in our community.

We thank you for joining us in our fight against child abuse and neglect.  On behalf of the families we serve, thank you for protecting every child’s right to grow up in safe and loving home.

Go Blue in April for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect

Did you know April is Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect Awareness Month?
 
Here are a few ways to get involved this month:

Monday, April 4, 2016 - Listen in to 89.8 WORT:

Join local experts Sharyl Kato (The Rainbow Project), Julie Ahnen (Dane County Dept. of Human Services) and Fay McClug (Center for Families) as they examine the issues regarding child abuse and neglect. The panel will also discuss support and prevention services and strategies. Sarah and Andrew Kerbel will join the program to tell their story and talk about their organization Seeds from Seeds.  More info at: http://www.wortfm.org/98951-2/





 

Thursday, April 7, 2016 - Wear Blue!

Join Center for Families and other supporting agencies by pledging to wear blue on Thursday, April 7th to help raise prevention awareness and take a stand against child abuse and neglect.


**Send a photo of yourself, co-workers, teams, friends and family wearing blue to eventcoord@centerforfamilies.org. Photos may be displayed on the Center for Families' Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages.**

At Center for Families, we believe that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable and nurturing environment. Children are the foundation of our society, our community and our future. When we focus on preventing child abuse and neglect, the results are better childhoods, leading to healthier adults and stronger communities.

Thank you for helping us take a stand against child abuse and neglect.

Saturday, April 9, 2016 - Bar Stool Open: Mini golf fundraiser

Mini Golf at Bars. Need we say more? 4 people to a team with a cost of $40 ($10/person). All proceeds go to Center for Families of Wisconsin & Local Lion's Club charities.

To volunteer:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4caaab2babfa7-2016

To play in the event, register here: http://www.isthmustickets.com/events/31445658/6th-annual-bud-light-barstool-open




Thursday, April 21, 2016 - Paint the Town Blue

Join us in celebrating the promise of a safe and secure future for Dane County children - and support the work of Center for Families. Our programs are in the forefront of child abuse prevention by providing parent support, home visiting, early childhood education and respite/crisis child care. We currently serve more than 5,000 local children and their families.
Together we can help prevent child abuse.

Paint the Town Blue
April 21, 2016
6:00-8:30pm
Madison Children's Museum
 


ENJOY:

• Fabulous food from Market Street Catering and Open Bar (beer, wine, and signature BLUE cocktail).
• Exploring the Madison Children’s Museum (event is ages 21+ only, please).
• Painting a tile that will be displayed at Center for Families.
• Bidding on auction items and purchasing “Strokes of Support” to help fund our family strengthening programs.
• Performing your own BLUE sensory experiment to take home.
• Learning about the valuable work that we are doing and how YOUR support impacts our mission.

*Attire is fun and casual for crafting and exploration! In keeping with our theme, please try to include a bit of BLUE in what you wear to symbolize your support for parental support & education and child abuse prevention.*

RSVP TODAY
Admission is $55/person or $100 for two. Reservations can be made online at www.centerforfamilies.org/PTTB  or by sending a check payable to Center for Families – 2120 Fordem Avenue, Madison WI  53704.  No tickets will be issued; registration will be confirmed at the door. Due to open bar, ages 21+ only, please. Please RSVP By April 15, 2016.

All proceeds go to support the programs of the Center for Families in its work to strengthen families and to prevent child abuse in Dane County.

-----

#‎ChildAbuseAwarenessMonth‬ ‪#‎PreventChildAbuse‬ ‪#‎StopChildAbuse‬‪