(Paramus, NJ) May 29, 2014 –Throughout Children’s Aid and Family Services 115-year history, volunteers have been a driving force in helping thousands of children to live richer, fuller lives. The agency recently honored some of its outstanding volunteers.
The honorees include, Lucretia “Bunny” Barca of Little Ferry, Cheryl Moss of Glen Rock, Donna Flagg of Allendale, Beth Sciaino of Glen Rock, Sue Juliano of Montclair, Julia Wood of Glen Rock, Paramus High School Hand in Hand Club, and Samsung Electronics Inc of Ridgefield Park.
Lucretia “Bunny” Barca a former grammar school teacher at Immaculate Conception in Hackensack and case worker in the Family Division of the Bergen County Courthouse has dedicated her life to children and families. Bunny now dedicates her time to volunteering. The past four years she has been an invaluable volunteer with the Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources. In addition, she also volunteers at St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Little Ferry’s food pantry, and with Youth Consultation Services in Hackensack as a mentor for at-risk kids.
Cheryl Moss has been a mentor to two young women in foster care over the past four years. A mentor serves a vital role to a child in therapeutic foster care, who often has difficulty trusting adults. Ms. Moss has become a trusted friend and confidant to the young woman she mentors.
Donna Flagg of Allendale has 30 years of experience in school administration and middle school education. She has dedicated her life to helping those who are academically and socioeconomically challenged, as well as abused and neglected children and their families. Ms. Flagg has been volunteering at Children’s Aid and Family Services’ Turrell Child Care and Early Learning Center as a Teacher’s Assistant for three years.
Beth Sciaino of Glen Rock has been volunteering at The Depot, A Gift Shop, for 23 years. The Depot, located at 22 Prospect Street in Midland Park, is the largest all-volunteer women’s exchange in the country. Its proceeds benefit Children’s Aid and Family Services. Ms. Sciaino has served a member of the Handcraft Committee, the Depot Board of Managers, a Room Manager, and the Path II Advisory Council.
Sue Juliano is an adoptive mother and Montclair resident, who was looking for a way give back to the community. Ms. Juliano has been volunteering with Children’s Aid and Family Services for over a year utilizing her skills in digital media, packaging and distributing content to advance the agency’s social media presence.
Julia Wood is an 18-year-old senior at Glen rock High School. Her parents are therapeutic foster parents for Children’s Aid and Family Services and they are currently in the process of adopting a toddler. Ms. Wood helped create and assemble “life books” or scrapbooks that timeline a child’s most memorable moments and milestones. Julia observed her own family make Life Books and she became aware of how important they are to children in therapeutic foster care. She created over 40 books for children.
The Paramus High School Youth Ambassador Program is a community action club called Hand in Hand, established four years ago. The club has worked with various organizations, including Children’s Aid and Family Services, to help advocate for children in the community. Two of the club’s outstanding seniors are Adriana Hemans and Pank-tee Acharya, who have led the club in raising donations through Awareness bracelet and bake sales, and other fundraising and advocacy events.
Samsung Electronics Incorporated’s North American Headquarters in Ridgefield Park, NJ, places great importance on acting as a responsible neighbor in the local community. Samsung employees have been dedicated friends of Children’s Aid and Family Services and have been strong supporters of children in therapeutic foster care. They are enthusiastic volunteers and have provided monetary and technological product donations. Last year, they provided a trip to the Museum of Natural History for 50 teenagers living in the agency’s therapeutic group homes.
Children’s Aid and Family Services is a leading nonprofit human services organization serving northern New Jersey. The agency is fully accredited and has served the community for more than 110 years. Its mission is to preserve, protect, and when needed, provide families. Motivated by compassion and in partnership with the community, we make positive lasting differences in the lives of those we serve. We provide high quality, innovative services to children and their families that advance social, educational and emotional development and wellbeing. For more information on Children’s Aid and Family Services, call 201.261.2800 or visit www.cafsnj.org.