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To commemorate Astor’s 70th Anniversary, we have launched a 70-70-70 Campaign. Our goal is to raise $70,000 for each of our 70 locations in honor of our 70 years.
Donations will support our enrichment fund, which provides our clients with the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities such as sports, art, after-school activities, summer camps and music. These programs can add significantly to our clients’ treatment plans, but many do not have the financial means to do so.
Many of our clients have experienced traumas in their lives, so programs that promote healing are imperative to their recovery.
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Astor's Impact:
Making a Difference in the Lives of Children and Families
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Randolph (15 years old) had a history of academic struggles and struggled socially when he was referred to Astor's Serving Youth iN Their Communities (SYNC) program and assigned to Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) Joash Finx. He was often disrespectful to his teachers and peers, as well as to his family. He fell far behind in his schoolwork, became disengaged, and was not on a path to graduation.
Randolph started meeting regularly with his BHS, having in-depth conversations, and building strategies to manage his anger and foster positive social interactions. Randolph said that in comparison to a slew of other providers, he felt "heard" by his BHS. Randolph successfully graduated middle school and started high school. He shared that he is now providing behavioral support to his friends. His BHS Joash shares that it "was a pleasure witnessing his growth and maturity... it confirms that I'm placed in this world to be a positive impact. I want to continue what I do best: sharing moments with kids while helping them grow into adulthood."
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About Astor's SYNC Program
Serving Youth iN Their Communities (SYNC) offers an array of the new state plan services for children ages 0 – 21 with Medicaid, which can be provided in a youth’s home, school, and other community-based locations.
These services are tailored to meet the behavioral and emotional health needs of each child.
In partnership with families, SYNC is dedicated to keeping children with behavioral health difficulties in their communities and current school placements through early intervention thereby avoiding more intensive and even out-of-home treatments.
Through supportive skill-building and clinical services, SYNC helps to build a strong foundation so that youth and families can be active and productive members of their communities.
Click here to learn more about Astor's SYNC program.
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Lisa Libraries
For over 5 years, Astor has been the recipient of new children’s books from The Lisa Libraries; a foundation started in 1990 by author Ann M. Martin and friends
to honor and memorialize children’s book editor
Lisa Novak.
To date, The Lisa Libraries has contributed over 500,000 books to nonprofit organizations across the country. Thank you to Ann and her team at The Lisa Libraries for filling our shelves with new books for the children we serve!
Visit The Lisa Libraries here.
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Dana Valdez and Jeannine Mendez from Astor Services accept a generous donation of books from author Ann M. Martin, President of The Lisa Libraries. | |
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Rite Aid Foundation's KidCents
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“During these extraordinary times, we continue to see the harsh realities of inequities and health disparities affecting children through hunger, homelessness, poverty, and a growing mental health crisis,”
– Matt DeCamara,
Executive Director
Rite Aid Healthy Futures
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Astor Services has received a $10,000 neighborhood grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to continue advancing our important mission focused on providing behavioral health and educational services to those living in the Hudson Valley and the Bronx.
As part of its overall Empowering Children signature initiative for Rite Aid Healthy Futures, the neighborhood grants help nonprofits. Astor was one of 415 organizations supported by this grant during the holiday season.
These grants are made possible through the KidCents customer fundraising program, which allows Rite Aid customers to round up their purchases in-store and online to support children’s health and wellness.
Rite Aid Healthy Futures, formerly known as The Rite Aid Foundation, is a public charity dedicated to driving change in communities, with an emphasis on underserved neighborhoods, focusing on the areas of health, wellness, race, and equity.
Visit RiteAidHealthyFutures.org to learn more.
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Annual Holiday Party
On December 8, Astor Services hosted its annual holiday party at Savona’s Trattoria & Bar in Poughkeepsie, NY. The event helped ring in the holiday season and Astor’s 70th year of service, while also honoring three outstanding individuals for their dedication to our mission.
Awardees
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Sister Rose Logan Award presented posthumously to James Joseph McGowan, Esq.
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Corporate Sponsor Award presented to George Argyros of Soulsight
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Alumni Award presented to Barry Hagan
The event also helped launch Astor’s 70-70-70 Campaign with the goal of raising $70,000 for each of our 70 locations in honor of 70 years of service.
Donations will support Astor’s enrichment fund, which provides our clients with the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities such as sports, art, after-school activities, summer camps and music. These programs can add significantly to our clients’ treatment plans, but many do not have the financial means to do so. Many of our clients have experienced traumas in their lives, so programs that promote healing are imperative to their recovery.
Through sponsorships, ticket sales, a vacation getaway silent auction and giant wreath raffle the event raised over $10,000.
Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible.
Corporate Partner
Savona’s Bar & Trattoria
Premier Underwriter
Catholic Charities
of the Archdiocese of New York
Presenting Sponsors
McCabe & Mack LLP, NFP
Rondout Savings Bank
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Pictured (l-r): George Argyros of Soulsight with Astor CEO Yvette Bairan, receiving the Corporate Sponsor Award. | Pictured (l-r): Mary McGowan received a plaque awarded posthumously to her husband James Joseph McGowan, Esq. with Astor CEO Yvette Bairan and Board Member Scott Bergin. | Pictured (l-r): Sonia Barnes-Moorhead, Executive Vice President of the Children's Foundation of Astor, with former Astor resident Barry Hagan who was awarded the Alumni Award. | Pictured (l-r) are Board members Kate Kortbus, James Schwab, and Therese M. Lack, Ph.D. | |
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Bronx Chamber
Holiday Toy Drive
Astor Services is grateful to the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, its Board of Directors and membership for designating Astor as its 2022 Holiday Toy Drive recipient.
More than 100 toys were donated and went to families in our Bronx Care Management, Prevention and Community-Based Programs.
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Adopt-A-Family Program
During the holiday season, many of the families we serve are unable to provide basic needs for their child, much less fulfill their child’s holiday wish list. For more than 25 years, Astor's Adopt-A-Family program has provided comfort and support to these families during the holiday season and beyond.
Through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and organizations we provided gift cards to over 2,100 children in the Hudson Valley and the Bronx. Gift cards empowered parents to purchase items from their child’s wish list and helped bring a little magic to the holidays.
A program director from Astor shared feedback from a client who said the Adopt-A-Family program “saved” their clients' holiday. They would not have been able to buy gifts for their child without the gift card.
If you would like to ensure a child receives a gift next Christmas, please visit astorservices.org/adopt-a-family/.
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Thank You!
To the individuals, companies and organizations who generously donated to Astor’s Adopt-A-Family program, you made the season bright for children in need and filled our hearts with joy and gratitude. Thank you for your support.
View the list here.
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Astor’s Young Professionals Board is dedicated to promoting our mission through its peers and colleagues while raising funds for various Astor programs.
On Thursday, November 17, they hosted a Board Mixer at Three Sheets Saloon in NYC and raised more than $760 to support our Adopt-A-Family program.
Interested in joining our dedicated and thriving Young Professionals Board? Contact Jeannine Mendez, Director of Development, Public & Government Relations at jdmendez@astorservices.org.
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Donor Spotlight
“I have donated to Astor Services for years through various opportunities and events but seeing how the pandemic negatively impacted so many not-for-profits around the country, I realized the value of signing up for monthly automatic donations. This offering allows donors to give continually and circumvent disruptions as we experienced over the past couple of years."
– Kate Kortbus
Interested in becoming a monthly donor like Kate?
Click here to learn more.
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