| This is
Carol Bride and I am Executive Assistant for Prevent Child Abuse -
Vermont. I am so happy to establish contact with you!
My intent is to write and give you information on the distribution
of the incredible quilts that you sent to us. Our
organization, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, was overwhelmed by the
generosity of your club, and the beauty of the quilts, each and
every one. It seemed meant to be that Judy and I would meet
at our local Wal-Mart, and one thing led to another and here we
are, the recipient of these very meaningful works of art.
Thank you so very much to everyone! Each of our staff has a
different reaction to each quilt. We took them out, one by one,
and shared oohs and ahhs, and then could think of someone who
would really love one. And one story led to another, and so
you have no idea how much joy and happiness that you have and will
spread throughout Vermont.
Our main office for PCA-V
is a non profit organization here in Montpelier; we have Regional
Coordinators in each county, so that the entire state population
is benefited by our programs. We have a staff of 19.
We have been in existence for 24 years. Here is a list of our
programs:
Parents
Together: Parents Together is a network of mutual self-help
support groups for parents. The groups provided an
opportunity for parents to come together to give and receive
support from one another regarding the experiences, challenges and
triumphs they face when raising their children. Groups meet
weekly in communities throughout Vermont and childcare is
provided.
Nurturing
Parent, Child and Adolescent Programs: Nurturing Programs work
with the whole family - parents and children - in separate groups
with integrated curricula and in a shared family nurturing
time. All family members participate in the 2 ½ hour fun
and educational sessions that meet weekly for 9 to 23 weeks.
The Nurturing Programs have been proven effective in increasing
family cohesion, empathy and self-esteem, and in decreasing family
conflict.
Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens ProgramT (SAFE-T):
The Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens Program (SAFE-T)
is a comprehensive violence prevention and health education
program, providing victim and victimized prevention for middle
school communities. SAFE-T creates a partnership for
schools, parents/guardians and community agencies to prevent
sexual victimization and promote healthy relationships in early
adolescents.
Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Training: The Shaken Baby
Syndrome Prevention trains parents, childcare workers, health care
providers, and community groups about the dangers of shaking a
baby and ways to comfort a crying infant safely.
Care for Kids: Care for Kids is an early childhood (3-6
years of age) sexuality and abuse prevention curriculum used by
teachers and child care providers which promotes healthy sexual
development in children.
Understanding and Responding to Sexual Behavior of Children
(URSBC): Understanding Sexuality in Children and Adolescents
trainings are tailored to the needs parents and professional
caregivers. The training describes the continuum of sexual
behavior from healthy to unhealthy, teaches adults how to
recognize the difference, how to answer children's questions, and
how to intervene and redirect behavior in order to help prevent
child to child sexual abuse.
Parents' Stress Line: The Parents' Stress Line,
1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373), is available to parents,
professional and community members for parenting support
resources, and referrals. The Stress Line is available
Monday - Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM.
The Vermont Parents' Home Companion and Resource Directory:
The Vermont Parents' Home Companion and Resource Directory is a
guide to child development (0-18 years of age), including
"golden tips" about everyday problems with children and
the directory of child and family serving organizations in
Vermont. We distribute 15,000 annually, and one goes to
every new mother in Vermont; we are in our 11th year of
printing.
So you see, we have many opportunities to distribute these heart
warming quilts to so many people. I would like to share just
a couple of stories:
One Regional Coordinator
has distributed 10 quilts to COTS (Committee on Temporary Shelter)
to people who are homeless right now and trying to get back on
their feet. These went to the children and they were
thrilled with them. We gave one to a person who was devastated by
the loss of her grandmother who had raised her, and she has it as
a wall hanging - she found one that looks just like one she had as
a child. We go into prisons to do family support programs - for
the incarcerated and those on furlough - so that they can better
their parenting skills. One man, who really has had a tough time,
is now trying to turn his life around and is expecting his first
baby. When we gave him a quilt, he cried with joy and
snuggled it. Several children who attend our Parents Together
groups has been given their choice of selecting their blankets -
it is amazing how many adults share stories and say that they
never had a "blankie" and so we invite them to take one
if they want. Our Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Coordinator will
be bringing them to workshops for all ages of children. And one
terrific outcome - a lady here in Barre called to tell me that she
would like to donate 30 more quilts. She has been making
them for years for children with cancer. I went to her home
last night and picked them up - they are great! And she
wants to continue to give them to us.
...I know this message is
very long, but I so wanted to share all of this with you, and to
once again, express our heartfelt gratitude for your Gifts from
the Heart
...blessings to you all!
Sincerely,
Carol
Prevent Child Abuse -
Vermont
PO Box
Montpelier, VT 05601-0829
802-229-5724
1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373)
e-mail pcavt@together.net
"Thank you so much
for the donation of the crafts. All are so beautiful.
The CUPS staff is so thrilled to be able to give our
families warm blankets, cute hats, sweaters, mittens,
booties...etc. We also are so excited with all of the
craft material and the opportunity to share this with children
and families in Washington County. ...THANK YOU
AGAIN.
Fondly,
Maria and Alice. |
Delivery Date: 
August 31st, 2000 
Slide Show 
11 -
Stuffed Animals
1 - Huge
box of Craft Sticks
