Children's Friend


David Caprio	Julie Casimiro	Aimee Mitchell
President and Chief Executive Officer	Vice President Advancement	Senior Vice President Programs & Operations/ Head Start Director

2011

January 30, 2012- David Caprio
On December 23, 2011 the final 2012 federal budget bill passed by Congress was signed into law by the President.

January 23, 2012- Julie Casimiro
This week, we will take the opportunity to thank all of the wonderful organizations and individuals who helped make this year’s Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive such an overwhelming success.

January 17, 2012- Aimee Mitchell
Last week, we were honored to tour Congressman Langevin through our renovated Friendship Street Center in Providence.

January 9, 2012- David Caprio
Children’s Friend begins the new year with a new strategic plan in place which will guide our work over the next few years.

January 3, 2012- Julie Casimiro
Happy New Year!

December 27, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
Last week I heard a story about our Holiday Drive that I found striking.

December 19, 2011- David Caprio
We at Children’s Friend share in the excitement of learning that Rhode Island was one of only nine states to receive a Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant.

December 12, 2011- Julie Casimiro
The Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive is in full swing. And, this year, the need is greater than ever before!

December 5, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
As countless families across Rhode Island ready for the holiday season, my attention has been drawn invariably to the Providence neighborhoods and those families whose holiday season has been marked by violence and loss.

November 28, 2011- David Caprio
Many times so called “system reform” is undertaken to just save money.

November 21, 2011- Julie Casimiro
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to reflect on all of the many blessings we have in our lives…

November 14, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
Last week, President Obama visited a Head Start program in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.

November 7, 2011- David Caprio
It is official, the 2011 Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive has begun!

October 31, 2011- Julie Casimiro
The 9th annual Investing in our Children luncheon was the best one ever…thanks to the amazing generosity of our corporate sponsors and loyal donors.

October 24, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
Last week, I was honored to sit at a table with several of our state-level partners from DCYF, DHS, The Office of the Child Advocate, Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Kids Count, to hear some of the latest scientific evidence on early childhood development.

October 17, 2011- David Caprio
We are very excited to have recently received federal funding to extend and expand our Dads Making a Difference services.

October 11, 2011- Julie Casimiro
On October 18th, Children’s Friend will hold the 9th Annual Investing in our Children Luncheon at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

October 3, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
I was able to travel to Baltimore Maryland to congratulate Tina Laprade as she received her “Collaborative Leadership Award from the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare”.

September 26, 2011- David Caprio
Earlier this month Children’s Friend was honored to host a visit from Dr. David Olds. Dr. Olds helped to develop the world renowned Nurse Family Partnership Program.

September 19, 2011- Julie Casimiro
On Friday, September 16th, we held our final concert in our Summer Concert Series at our Berkshire Street site.

September 12, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
Last week, Children’s Friend celebrated the Grand Opening of the Friendship Center..

September 6, 2011- David Caprio
Last week our region was impacted by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene.

August 29, 2011- Julie Casimiro
Last week, Children’s Friend attended a press conference at the State House participating in “Kids, Cops, and Classrooms”.

August 22, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
This past week, the Providence Children’s Museum celebrated yet another successful year of their innovative AmeriCorps program, as they wished a fond farewell to the members of this past year.

August 15, 2011- David Caprio
As we know all too well, many government entities are struggling financially.

August 9, 2011- Julie Casimiro
During our cold Rhode Island winters, we all long for the warm days of summer.

August 1, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
Last week, George Sheldon (Acting Assistant Secretary to Administration for Children and Families) spoke at the National Governor’s Association Center for Best Practices.

July 25, 2011- David Caprio
This past week several of the many generous donors who made our summer program possible were able to come to our site, meet, and have lunch with some of the kids in the summer program.

July 18, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
Joe Klein recently suggested that it is “time to ax public programs that don’t yield results” and stated this because by the end of first grade the impact of Head Start was not notable when compared against other children growing up in poverty who received similar interventions - that the time has arrived to axe them.

July 11, 2011- Julie Casimiro
Recently, I was lucky enough to attend one of our Summer Program field trips.

July 5, 2011- David Caprio
A brand new bike is a great gift for a young child, especially to start off the summer season.

June 27, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
Last week, staff attended the Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: Network for Action Conference.

June 20, 2011- Julie Casimiro
Our Emergency Crisis Fund is an important part of the work we do... it allows us to continue to go above and beyond with helping the children and families we serve.

June 13, 2011- David Caprio
Science Express just published the results of a research study on the Child-Parent Center Education Program in Chicago.

June 6, 2011- Julie Casimiro
Today, a number of our Head Start students made their way to Providence City Hall, a visit arranged by members of the City Council and supported by Mayor Angel Taveras.

May 31, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
The “Nurse is in the House”.

May 23, 2011- David Caprio
Every so often something affects us in a special way and causes us to think about things a little differently.

May 16, 2011- Julie Casimiro
For some of the children we serve, summer is not a happy time. Some of our children will leave the safe, clean environment of our classrooms and return to hot, cramped living conditions surrounded by community violence.

May 9, 2011- Aimee Mitchell
Last week I had the opportunity to attend a Policy Forum on "Improving Early Childhood Outcomes through Evidence-Based Programs and Practices".

May 2, 2011- David Caprio
The final federal spending resolution for 2011 which was passed a few weeks ago is being implemented by federal agencies.

April 25, 2011 - Julie Casimiro
The 9th Annual Children's Friend Walk-Run sponsored by Panera Bread is just over two weeks away!

April 18, 2011 - Aimee Mitchell
Last week, we were honored to host a visit with Christie Hager, Region I Director of Health and Human Services and Mary Ann Higgins, Region I Administrator for the Administration of Children and Families.

April 11, 2011 - David Caprio
This past weekend individuals representing several different organizations came together to clean up several streets around our Cianci Center in the Chad Brown area of Providence.

April 4, 2011 - Aimee Mitchell
Last week I had the privilege of attending the Providence Business News Inaugural awards for Chief Financial Officers in Rhode Island.

March 28, 2011 - Julie Casimiro
On Wednesday, March 23, nearly 60 business and community leaders descended upon our Cianci Center in the Chad Brown Community to embark on Leadership Rhode Island’s Education Day – the theme for the day was Cradle to Career.

March 21, 2011 - David Caprio
On Wednesday March 23 Children’s Friend is excited to host a visit from Acting Assistant Secretary, David Hansell, of the Administration for Children and Families.

March 14, 2011 - Aimee Mitchell
Just over a year and a half ago, Children’s Friend was presented with two notable challenges: provide WIC services to over 5000 families in Central Falls and Pawtucket, and expand our Early Head Start program for 98 families to include 1100 Head Start children and over 60 more Early Head Start families.

March 7, 2011 - Julie Casimiro
Never did I imagine that Dr. Seuss’ birthday would be such an event in my life.

February 28, 2011 - David Caprio
The House of Representatives recently passed a funding resolution for the federal government for the current year.

February 21, 2011 - Julie Casimiro
Volunteers continue to play a key role in helping us go above and beyond in the work we do.

February 14, 2011 - Aimee Mitchell
The Department of Human Services conducts an “Annual Performance Report” for all Early Interventions in Rhode Island.

February 7, 2011 - David Caprio
The research continues to come in documenting the economic payback to society of investments in quality early childhood education programs.

January 31, 2011 - Julie Casimiro
The generosity, compassion and commitment of our foster families is endless. I am amazed and touched by how they continually go above and beyond to support our youngest and most vulnerable children.

January 24, 2011 - Aimee MItchell
It is well to be prepared for life as it is, but it is better to be prepared to make life better than it is.
- Sargent Shriver

January 18, 2011 - David Caprio
Last week I was able to attend the grand opening celebration for the new Panera Bread at Providence Place Mall.

January 10, 2011 - Julie Casimiro
On Monday, January 3, 2011, I had the pleasure to attend the inauguration of Providence’s new Mayor… Mayor Angel Taveras.

January 3, 2011 - Julie Casimiro
With the start of each New Year, many of us make resolutions to improve our personal or professional lives…

2010

December 27, 2010 - David Caprio
As 2010 comes to a close I am amazed at how successful you have made the year for those served by Children’s Friend.

December 20, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
I continue to be amazed at the generosity of our corporate sponsors, our individual donors and our staff as I see, each year, the Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive grow!

December 13, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
As many have heard, DCYF has announced changes in the shelter system which has served vulnerable children on an emergency basis for many years.

December 6, 2010 - David Caprio
Our 2011 Budget which goes into effect on January 1, 2011 has been developed, finalized, and approved by our Board of Directors. Our budget plan for 2011, while extremely difficult to put together, is balanced.

November 29, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
As the cold weather approaches, I can't help but think of some of the families we serve who are in need of warm winter clothing, especially winter coats that keep them warm and dry.

November 23, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
I was honored to attend our annual Adoption Celebration Event this month, hosted by our Permanency Program.

November 16, 2010 - David Caprio
More than 170 retired military admirals and generals have come together to form Mission: Readiness, Military Leaders For Kids.

November 8, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
Each year, the Sprit of Giving Holiday Drive provides holiday gifts to the most vulnerable children in Rhode Island.

November 1, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
Every year, Children’s Friend hosts the “Harvest Fest”.

October 25, 2010 - David Caprio
Last week was another exciting week at Children’s Friend.

October 18, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

October 12, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
On October 26th, the corporate community, community leaders, child advocates and philanthropic citizens will come together to support Rhode Island's youngest and most vulnerable children.

October 4, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
Children are at risk every day.

September 27, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
An organization’s most valuable resource is the people doing the work.

September 20, 2010 - David Caprio
I have recited the quote below from our 1932 Annual Report before.

September 13, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
Last week, children in Providence and the Blackstone Valley returned to our head start classrooms after their annual summer break.

September 07, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
Although Hurricane Earl was not nearly as impressive as forecasted, events like this remind us of the importance of communities and support.

August 30, 2010 - David Caprio
I speak for all of us at Children’s Friend in congratulating Commissioner Deborah Gist, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Regents, and educators and administrators across the State for winning a Race to the Top federal grant.

August 23, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
Today the staff of Children's Friend, along with other partner agencies, embark on a week of professional development opportunities.

August 16, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
At the beginning of this month, I had the opportunity to attend the “2010 Early Childhood Summit” in Washington DC.

August 10, 2010 - David Caprio
Just last week U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced the formation of the Early Learning Interagency Policy Board.

August 02, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
An emergency can hit a family without warning ... loss of a job, violence, a fire, or even worse. Often times, when a crisis hits, families are left with a huge void to fill.

July 26, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
If you happened to be at Roger Williams Park on Thursday, July 22, you would have seen quite a crowd gathered together.

July 19, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
Foster Parenting is more than helping a child...it provides hope for an entire family.

July 12, 2010 - David Caprio
Once again Bryant University and PricewaterhouseCoopers have included our kids in their Accounting Careers Leadership Institute.

July 06, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
For most of us, summer is a happy time, and probably always has been.

June 28, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
Children’s Friend is pleased to announce that the “Nurse Family Partnership” program will begin in Rhode Island on July 17.

June 21, 2010 - David Caprio
It has been a little over a week since the 176th Annual Meeting of Children’s Friend was held.

June 14, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
June is Children’s Awareness Month.

June 7, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
When violence rips through a community, everyone is effected ... our children, our families, our staff.

June 1, 2010 - David Caprio
For the second year in a row, Children’s Friend has been named a Best Place to Work by Providence Business News.

May 24, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
Looking Back: Celebrating 45 years of Head Start

May 17, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
Child abuse, in any form, is never acceptable.

May 10, 2010 - David Caprio
Last week, on Thursday, May 6th, Children’s Friend participated in Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.

May 03, 2010 - David Caprio
Thank you to all who helped to make the recent Walk For Children’s Friend sponsored by Panera Bread a huge success.

April 26, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
On Saturday, May 1st, hundreds of people will gather at Roger Williams Park Carousel for a great day in the park and for an even greater cause.

April 19, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
On April 12th, the team at Rhode Island KidsCount released the 2010 Fact Book to a room filled with over 500 people made up of policy makers, providers, legislative leaders, youth and families.

April 12, 2010 - David Caprio
April 11th through the 17th is the Week of the Young Child.

April 5, 2010 - David Caprio
Many in Rhode Island have been devastated recently by the incredible flooding which has blanketed the area.

March 29, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
Reading is Fundamental, a federally funded program with a local match required, helps Children's Friend provide 5,700 books to low-income children on an annual basis.

March 22, 2010 - David Caprio
Many of us have been following the recent news accounts of the death of a 2 year old boy in a neighboring state.

March 15, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
“Keeping children safe while helping families achieve a substance free life”.

March 8, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
When a crisis hits a family, sometimes it is unsafe for a child to remain in the home.

March 1, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
The “Project Approach” in education is rapidly gaining ground in schools across the nation.

February 22, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
Creating “centers of excellence” is critical to providing the best services for our children and their families.

February 15, 2010 - David Caprio
One of the national priorities of the Child Welfare League of America is to call on Congress and the President to convene a White House Conference on Children and Youth.

February 8, 2010 - Aimee Mitchell
Childhood obesity is of particular concern to all of us at Children’s Friend.

February 1, 2010 - Julie Casimiro
All of us consider community violence to be a serious matter...

January 19, 2010 - David Caprio
We enter 2010 energized to continue moving forward in our mission of promoting the well being and healthy development of our most vulnerable children.

2009

December 21, 2009 - David Caprio
The first academic semester at Children’s Friend wraps up this week.

December 14, 2009 - David Caprio
The Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive at Children’s Friend is in full swing.

December 07, 2009 - David Caprio
We recently received confirmation that our application for federal stimulus funds to expand Early Head Start services...

November 30, 2009 - David Caprio
We are currently putting the final touches on our 2010 budget. The budget will be presented to our Board this week.

November 23, 2009 - David Caprio
As our country prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving, it affords me the opportunity to reflect on the many things that Children’s Friend has to be thankful for.

November 16, 2009 - David Caprio
Last week, Children’s Friend was the proud recipient of a large furniture donation from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island.

November 9, 2009 - David Caprio
As we enter the last 2 months of 2009, our 175th anniversary year, much has changed at Children’s Friend in this anniversary year.

November 2, 2009 - David Caprio
This week marks the official beginning of the 2009 Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive at Children’s Friend.

October 26, 2009 - David Caprio
We are very thankful to the Rhode Island Foundation for its recent grant to help Children’s Friend

October 19, 2009 - David Caprio
Our lecture series, “The Privilege of Caring, A Community’s Response to Needy Children”, has begun.

October 13, 2009 - David Caprio
Thank you to the 200 attendees at the Investing in Our Children Luncheon on October 5th. What a great turnout and strong showing of support for the work of Children’s Friend.