by North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center | Aug 1, 2024 | Anton Media, In The Media, Long Island Business News, The Island Now
Westbury, NY, July 22, 2024 — North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has opened a lactation room at the Leeds Place— Serving Young People in Westbury to support the needs of breastfeeding mothers.
The Leeds Place is home to a variety of services offered by the Guidance Center, notably Good Beginnings for Babies, a program that provides support, counseling, advocacy, and education for pregnant and parenting teens. The new lactation facility will give all clients and staff members a comfortable area to express milk when nursing.
“Our lactation room provides access to a safe and welcoming space for nursing mothers to pump milk, breastfeed or chestfeed their baby,” says Dr. Nellie Taylor-Walthrust, Director of the Leeds Place. “This contributes to the bonding and well-being of both the child and mother, allowing her to care for the health of her baby without feeling shamed or judged.”
The lactation room was made possible due to a wonderful partnership with the Northwell Health Breastfeeding, Resiliency, Engagement and Empowerment (BFREE) team.
“We are so excited to have partnered with the Guidance Center to support parents by creating a pleasant and private lactation-friendly space for their community and employees,” said Pamela Reichert-Anderson, Program Manager of the BFREE team. “Our team was able to provide tools and resources for lactation support, as well as educate employers about the value of supporting lactation in the workplace. By increasing awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and chestfeeding, we hope to make communities a more accepting place for parents by normalizing human milk feeding.”
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena attended the opening, showing her support for this important initiative. “Nursing helps a mother bond with and nourish her baby at no cost. Thanks to this innovative collaboration, a nursing mother can find privacy in a beautiful, quiet room while her family receives vital mental health or substance misuse counseling,” she said. “That’s possible because the Guidance Center and Northwell Health are dedicated to improving access and support for our families.
“I’m especially thankful to Dr. Nellie Taylor-Walthrust for her 35 years of care at the Guidance Center, North Hempstead’s Substance Misuse Advisory Committee and our Yes We Can Center,” continued Supervisor DeSena. “Whether it’s diagnosing and treating maternal depression, supporting grandparents raising children, or assisting nursing mothers, the Guidance Center always leads the way.”
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by North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center | Apr 3, 2024 | In The Media, Press Releases, The Island Now
“Morning Movies with the Guidance Center,” North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center’s annual family-friendly fundraiser, brought the community together for an enjoyable morning of popcorn, bagels, drinks, and a choice of three movies: Barbie, Kung Fu Panda 4, and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah.
“We all know that children and teens are experiencing issues like depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thinking more than ever before, and that’s why I’m proud to support the Guidance Center’s lifesaving work,” said Jeffrey Greenblatt, one of the event’s co-chairs and a Guidance Center Board Member. “Plus, my family had a wonderful morning, and I get to set an example for my three daughters. It’s important to me that my children understand the value of serving your community.”
Co-chair Joshua Brookstein, who attended the event with his daughter, said, “It’s always a pleasure to support the mission of the Guidance Center. Ensuring the well-being of our children is crucial, and I’m happy to contribute to efforts in raising funds and awareness for mental health.”
Kathy Rivera, the Guidance Center’s Executive Director/CEO, thanked everyone who came out to support the event, as well as the event’s sponsors: Liberty Utilities, Sahn Ward, Cullen & Dykman LLP, Harris Beach, the Greenblatt Family, and the Slade Family, along with Manhasset Cinemas for generously hosting the event.
“It was an absolute delight spending time with so many children and families to raise awareness about our work while also having fun!” said Rivera.
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by North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center | Mar 10, 2023 | In The Media, The Island Now
North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, the leading not-for-profit children’s mental health agency on Long Island, is pleased to announce that The Andy Foundation, a Garden City-based nonprofit, dedicated to helping children less fortunate than most, has donated $10,000 to support its mission.
“There is such a tremendous need now for supporting mental health services for young people, especially since the pandemic caused such isolation, fear and sadness,” said Jill Palmeri, the founder of The Andy Foundation. “Our mission is helping children in need, and the lifesaving work of the Guidance Center is something we are proud to support.”
Kathy Rivera, executive director/CEO of the Guidance Center, expressed gratitude for The Andy Foundation’s generous donation.
“We never turn anyone away for inability to pay, so we count on the support of the local community, foundations and other funding sources to make sure we are here for everyone who needs us,” Rivera said. “Kids and teens are experiencing rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal thinking at levels that are higher than ever before, and because of caring people like Jill and her team, these young people will get the help they desperately need and deserve.”
The Andy Foundation, which was formed in 2004 to honor the memory of Andrew Palmeri, focuses on helping children less fortunate than most. If you would like to support The foundation you can do so by donating or shopping at The Andy Foundation Yard Sale Shop, located at 195 Herricks Road, Garden City Park. The store is filled with vintage and gently used items and it is staffed by a team of dedicated volunteers. All proceeds from the store go to furthering the mission of The Andy Foundation.
The Guidance Center, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and has offices in Roslyn Heights, Manhasset and Westbury, is dedicated to restoring and strengthening the emotional well-being of children (from birth to age 24) and their families. The organization’s highly trained staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals lead the way in diagnosis, treatment, prevention and advocacy. The Guidance Center helps children and families address issues such as depression and anxiety; suicidal thinking; developmental delays; bullying; teen pregnancy; sexual abuse; drug and alcohol use; trauma; and family crises stemming from illness, death and divorce.
For more information on the Andy Foundation, visit www.theandyfoundation.org or email info@theandyfoundation.org. To learn more about the Guidance Center, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call 516-626-1971.
by North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center | Jul 5, 2022 | In The Media, The Island Now
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center (the Guidance Center) is pleased to announce the reopening of the Children’s Center at Nassau County Family Court, which provides care and early learning to children while their parents or guardians are conducting court business such as divorce and custody cases.
The Children’s Center had closed during the pandemic, when all Family Court activities were moved to a virtual platform.
“The Children’s Center is a safe haven that allows children the opportunity to develop early learning skills through age-appropriate play and activities that are fun and exciting for toddlers and children up to age 12,” said Dr. Nellie Taylor-Walthrust, director of the Guidance Center’s Leeds Place, under which the Children’s Center operates. “Now that the court is on a hybrid schedule with families coming back in, it’s essential that children can return to the Children’s Center so they don’t have to witness potentially contentious interactions among their family members.”
“A lot of important things happen in this building, and at the Children’s Center, children will be well cared for,” said Ellen Greenberg, supervising hudge at Nassau County Family Court.
While participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Greenberg told those gathered, “Don’t ever let anyone tell you this is just babysitting; it’s a true learning center, and families know they can leave their children here safely while they work on court matters.”
“The reopening is great news for the kids who come to Family Court with their parents or guardians,” said family law attorney John M. Zenir, one of the Children’s Center’s most dedicated supporters. “It means they can be safe, away from the stress and strain that’s going on between their parents. They can have a snack, read a book or play a game. In other words, just be a kid—what could be better!”
For Laurie Joseph-Yehuda, the Children’s Center is especially close to her heart, since it was founded by her father, the late Honorable Burton Joseph.
Joseph-Yehuda is a member of the Children’s Center advisory council, and her mother Rene painted the beautiful murals on the walls of the Children’s Center many years ago.
“The reopening of the Children’s Center is so important because it gives children a place to come to be enriched, to learn and to be cared for,” said Joseph-Yehuda.
Another advisory council member, Katherine Cho, a professor in the Criminal Justice department at Nassau Community College, brings her students to the Children’s Center.
“They love to get involved with the Center,” said Cho. “It’s a great way for them to learn about the workings of the Family Court.”
“It’s a privilege to be able to serve children and families to reduce caregiver stress and have opportunities to connect them with resources they may need outside of Family Court,” said Kathy Rivera, Guidance Center executive director/CEO. “We are committed to bringing our families comfort and guidance wherever needed.”
Photo: (Left to right): Dr. Nellie Taylor-Walthrust, John Aiken, Kathy Rivera, Ellen Greenberg and Rosemarie Klipper. Credit: Jenna Kern-Rugile
