Celebrating Families
HARTFORD—As children of all ages head back to school in September, their families – parents, siblings and grandparents – will be there to support and encourage them as they embark on a new school year.
That’s just one of the countless ways that the vast majority of families nurture the children in their care, day in and day out, without thought of recognition or thanks for their efforts.
But they haven't been forgotten. For the past 15 years, state agencies and community organizations across Connecticut have been collaborating to honor families with a special celebration: Connecticut Family Day.
Connecticut Family Day – marked on Sept. 9 each year – was launched by Senator Joseph Crisco Jr. in 1998 with an essay contest. The event has grown over time. This year, a committee led by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has assembled a statewide celebration that will promote and support family activities at five locations across the state. These events will also honor grandparents in recognition of National Grandparents Day, which falls on Sept. 9 this year.
On Family Day, Connecticut residents who show a valid drivers license or any other state-approved proof of residency can take advantage of one-day specials on family activities. The specials are: $20 per person admission price for adults and children at Lake Compounce in Bristol; $9 per person admission price for adults and children at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford; one free child’s admission with each paid adult or senior admission to Mystic Aquarium in Mystic; $5 per person admission price for adults and children at Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport; and $1 off admission per person at the Sports Center of Connecticut in Shelton.
DCF, which works tirelessly year-round to protect and support children – and to strengthen at-risk families – will also honor grandparents who have stepped up to become licensed caregivers for their grandchildren in times of need. At each of the five venues, professional photographers from DCF’s Heart Gallery will be on hand to provide free “appointment only” family photographs for the agency’s licensed grandparents. (The Heart Gallery is an online photo gallery of children available for adoption, and Heart Gallery photographers work on a volunteer basis to take photographs of these children.)
At 11:45 a.m. on Family Day, Sen. Crisco and DCF Deputy Commissioner Janice Gruendel will be speaking at Mystic Aquarium, by the Beluga whale exhibit. A cookie and soft drink reception will follow at noon for DCF’s licensed grandparents.
A Community Collaborative will host a recruitment table at each of the five locations to share information about foster care and adoption needs with the community. The collaboratives taking part are: Foster Adoptive Mission (FAM); Hearts, Hands and Homes Community Collaborative for Foster Care & Adoption (HHH); and Queen Esther Ministry (QEM).
As has been the case since the event was first launched, a Connecticut Family Day poster contest was held in advance of this year’s celebration. The winning entry was designed by Efrain Torres III, age 15, from Waterbury. His drawing appears on all of the promotional materials connected with the event. He and his parents will enjoy an overnight family stay at CoCo Key Water Resort in Waterbury, and free entrance to the water park. The second and third place winners were Natalie Resto, age 13, and Sharon Vazquez, age 18.
CT Family Day committee members represent the DCF; the state Department of Education; Hearts, Hands and Homes; the Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents; and the Connecticut Parent Resource and Information Center.
Community partners for the event include FAM; QEM; Mystic Aquarium; Beardsley Zoo; the Connecticut Science Center; the Connecticut Sports Center; and Lake Compounce.
For more information, visit www.ctfamilyday.org or contact statewide recruiter Jacqueline Ford, DCF Office of Foster and Adoption Services. Jackie can be reached at (203) 641-5710 or jacqueline.ford@ct.gov.
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