Swiss Re Foundation Makes Generous Donation To Kids in Crisis To Help Kick Off New Learning Lab
By Liz Leamy
Last week, a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Kids in Crisis headquarters on One Salem Street in Cos Cob to kick off the opening of its new computer and learning lab, a technology-rich center instituted to help provide area individuals and their families, as well as the staff, volunteers, partner agencies of Kids in Crisis with an all-important space for education, training and therapeutic interventions, among other things.
This dynamic learning lab, based at the Salem Street Kids in Crisis headquarters (also known as the ‘farm house’) features such high-tech tools as personal and Mac computers, I Pad devices and digital printers along with notebooks, pens and other learning-related things slated to be utilized for personal and professional development as well as advocacy work by those spending time at this establishment.
The learning lab was implemented and established as the result of a generous 63,000 dollar donation given to Kids in Crisis by Swiss Re Foundation, who was represented at the ceremony by some of its leading executives and employees, all of who seemed thrilled at the prospect of being involved in this vital project.
According to Neil Sprackling, President of U.S. Life & Health/Swiss Re America Holding Corporation who helped present the check to the Kids in Crisis leaders at this ceremony, much of the inspiration in regard to this initiative was centered around the word ‘resiliency’.
“Resiliency is all about overcoming challenge and toughness,” said Sprackling.
Truer words could not have been spoken, especially in considering the paramount role the Kids in Crisis organization, a United Way agency, has played over the years and continues to play today in town and the surrounding Fairfield County and Southwestern Connecticut area.
Founded in 1978 as the Greenwich Youth Shelter, this private non-profit organization, whose board members, leaders and staff were also on hand at this ceremony, provides crisis counseling, intervention, emergency shelter and community educational programs at no cost for children and teens as well for as for their families based here in town and throughout Southwestern Connecticut.
Certainly, the gratitude expressed by the Kids in Crisis executives and others involved with this organization for the generous gift from the Swiss Re Foundation was palpable.
“We are [so happy] to welcome Swiss Re to our learning lab. You made this happen and it’s an opportunity for everybody to learn from one another,” said Shari Shapiro, Executive Director of Kids in Crisis. “We couldn’t be more appreciative of this opportunity.”
Bill Pierz, Chairman of the Board of Kids in Crisis, shared the same sentiments.
“On behalf of all of us, thank you so much for what you have done for us,” said Pierz.
This heartwarming ceremony represented a benchmark juncture for Kids in Crisis, as the learning lab, designed with the purpose of providing its constituency with the most optimal and state-of-the-art learning tools to help build and develop their educational and career pursuits and tasks, among other things, seemed to signify a place of terrific energy, promise and hope.
The lab also marks another important offering by the Kids in Crisis organization, which is open everyday and has a staff that works around the clock.
Serving as a ‘rock’ organization for the community and its surrounding area, Kids in Crisis provides individuals and their families with such services as a 24-hour telephone helpline, counseling, aftercare and outreach offerings as well as education and violence prevention programs, among other things.
Meanwhile, Kids in Crisis also offers numerous volunteer opportunities for adults, children and teens looking to get involved with this all-important cause.
For more information, please contact Kids in Crisis at 203-622-6556 or email Shari Shapiro, KIC Executive Director, at sshapiro@kidsincrisis.org
