Summer 2015
THE END OF AN ERA
CORA bids a fond farewell to retiring President and CEO, Jim Harron

June was a bittersweet month at CORA Services. Jim Harron retired after 44 years of service to CORA as a Counselor, Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer and our beloved President and CEO. It's truly the "end of an era" which spanned from 1971-2015.




 

Jim began his career at CORA in 1971 when CORA's founding Administrator, Sister Charity Kohl, hired him as the first Outpatient Adolescent and Family Counselor. In 1976 Jim was promoted to Deputy Director and then Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officerten years later. He assumed the role of compassionate caretaker and steadfast President and Chief Executive Officer from 2009 until his official retirement on June 30, 2015.

 

The number of people Jim has impacted throughout his career at CORA is hard to pinpoint, but certainly reflected in the community of supporters who gathered for his retirement luncheon on Friday, June 26, 2015. More than 120 members of the CORA community convened to recognize and pay tribute to his 44 years of dedicated service and leadership at CORA. Among those in attendance were current and former board members, Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Councilman Dennis O'Brien, representatives from the offices of Brendan Boyle and Kevin Boyle, countless supporters and staff. Click here to view photos from the event.

 

To honor Jim's unyielding commitment to improving the lives of children facing social, academic and emotional challenges, Bill Becker and AnnMarie Schultz presented Jim with a plaque that will be inscribed with the names of students honored with the "Jim Harron Classroom Champion Award" each year at the annual Champions for Children event (November 24, 2015). AnnMarie also unveiled a portrait of Jim, which will hang in the lobby of the building to commemorate Jim's extraordinary impact on CORA Services.

 

While we will certainly miss Jim's humor, wisdom, and caring nature at CORA, we wish him a long and relaxing retirement.

 

Jim, thank you for making CORA Services the wonderful organization it is today. We will miss you more than you know!

 

To hear a few of Jim's favorite memories throughout his career at CORA, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

CORA Kids Collage

What were our 'CORA kids' up to at the end of the school year? See how they kept busy below! 


On June 19th Pre-K children at Early Years Fox Chase celebrated their "Moving Up" ceremony! During the ceremony students shared their final farewells & received their graduation certificates in front of their family and friends.  We'll miss you Pre-K! 

1st & 2nd graders in the After School program at Northwood Academy Charter School performed Bruno Mars, "Up Town Funk You Up" at the end of year talent show! For the talent show, each class coordinated a dance, complete with their own props & costumes. The winners of the show enjoyed a pizza party.  

Students from the Life Skills class at Mastery Charter Simon Gratz H.S. visit with Aladdin, a therapy dog, who volunteers as part of the Pet Therapy project. Click here to learn more about the Pet Therapy project and our Occupational Therapy dept. 

  Help CORA continue to provide quality education and in-school services,   

          engaging out of school time programming, and compassionate counseling and referral service by  MAKING A DONATION HERE!

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: OST Camp at Northwood Academy Charter School and Thurgood Marshall

It's been a fun and educational summer for our campers at Thurgood Marshall and Northwood Academy Charter School!


 

About CAMP CORA at Thurgood Marshall, June 29 - August 7, 2015:

  • Total Campers: 42
  • Grade Level of Campers: Students going into 1st - 8th grades
  • Daily Activities Include: Art, Performing Arts, Big Brother/Big Sister, Sorority/Fraternity, Peace and Unity (highlights diversity in the classroom, families, community, etc.), Science, and Health & Fitness
  • Exciting Programming/ Field Trips Included: Campers enjoyed a camp version of the popular TV show, Fear Factor, which challenged campers to complete in physical challenges, eliminations and food contests. Staff also threw a surprise birthday party for all of the kids who have summer birthdays. The entire camp celebrated with games, cake, balloons and Happy Birthday posters. And campers went on field trips to Arnold Family Fun Center, the Camden Aquarium and Sky Zone, to name a few.
  • What do you want others to know about CAMP CORA at Thurgood Marshall? "Most of our kids come back each year. They never want to leave. The cycle goes on. People get hooked on camp and keep coming back each year." -Keyera Daniels, Camp Director at Thurgood Marshall

About CAMP CORA @ Northwood Academy, July 6 - August 7, 2015:

  • Total Campers: 100
  • Grade Level of Campers: Students going into 1st - 8th grades
  • Daily Activities Include: Science Projects, Arts and Crafts, Dance and Drama.
  • Exciting Programming: There will be a "Happy Birthday CORA" celebration on the second to last day of camp. The birthday themed celebration will feature games, music food donated by parents and a talent show.
  • What do you want others to know about CAMP CORA at Northwood Academy? "We have a really good team. Staff work very well together and they all have the kids best interests at heart. Our staff also have great relationships with campers and their parents." - Katie Bennett, Camp Director at Northwood Academy

A favorite activity among campers at both locations included the opportunity to "bring board games to life" by drawing, designing, building and final playing games like Candy Land, Hungry, Hungry Hippos, Twister and Chutes and Ladders. And finally, despite all of the fun and GAMES going on at each camp, both programs kept a focus on campers' literacy through an important partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia, which keeps students on track with their literacy goals during the summer months. 
A Great Day FORE Golf
7th Annual CORA for Kids Golf Classic is a huge success

 

On Monday, June 8th more than 90 golfers descended on JC Melrose Country Club for a day of light-hearted competition and fun at the 7th annual CORA for KIDS Golf Classic.




Prior to hitting the links, CEO Jim Harron welcomed the largest field of golfers in the event's history for what would be his last opportunity to address the group as the organization's leader. Another note for the history books - no rain.

While not a golfer, incoming CEO AnnMarie Schultz hopped into a golf cart and visited the golfers as they were enjoying a sunsplashed day at Melrose. 
 

"It's great to see everyone out here today supporting CORA," said Mrs. Schultz. "This is a great group, and we're excited to have some new faces join us this year to help grow this event. We're so grateful."

 

Golfers and dinner guests enjoyed a delicious hors d'oeuvres spread and dinner buffet while studying the auction and raffle items generously donated by friends of CORA and local organizations including the National Constitution Center and Eastern State Penitentiary. 
 

Event co-chairs Mike Schell and Joe Falco addressed the golfers during dinner and acknowledged the record attendance. "This is the largest group we've had yet," said Mr. Schell. "I can't wait to see what we do next year!"

 

Time was dedicated to thanking sponsors and supporters of this year's event, with special recognition of NFP Lincoln Benefits Group which has been the Presenting Sponsor for the past several years. Trophies for top finishers by foursome, as well as individual performance were also distributed. 
 

Proceeds from the event are used to fund CORA's mission of assisting children and families experiencing emotional, academic and social challenges which impede their development and productivity.

 

TO SEE PICTURES FROM THIS YEAR'S EVENT, CLICK HERE.


 

 We look forward to seeing you all next year!  
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: NEW DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

We are excited to welcome Christine Matulewicz as CORA's new Director of Operations! Christine comes to CORA with extensive experience in non-profit management and operations in youth-serving organizations. 

"I am thrilled to join CORA Services, with its rich history, strong community, and high quality programs," shared Christine.  "As I have met staff members and asked them why they love working at CORA, every single person says two things: the people and the mission. Our tagline, children are the heart of the matter, is felt in every interaction. I am excited to utilize my skills in service to this special organization, and I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to enroll in our Early Years-Fox Chase program!"

Prior to joining our staff, Christine served as Director of Capacity Building at Legacy Youth Tennis and Education and as Operations and Development Manager at White-Williams Scholars. She earned her BA in Economics from Williams College and her MS in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Christine is very involved in the community. One would say she "wears many hats" in her role with Liberti Church-she serves as deacon, finance team member, home meeting leader and liturgist-and is active with organizations in her neighborhood of Old Richmond/Fishtown where she lives with her husband and daughter. 

Please join us in welcoming Christine to the "CORA family!" 

OPEN REGISTRATION AT EARLY YEARS LASALLE

August 17th begins  Registration Week for our Early Years LaSalle program!!  CORA will be offering a tuition discount for Einstein and LaSalle Employees for their Keystone Star 3 preschool program located conveniently on LaSalle's campus.  

If you know a family looking for an engaging preschool program for their 3-5 year  old, contact Mary Doughty at 
267-285-3436 or [email protected]. 

For more information about this program, view our Back to School Flyer and Brochure.