At our annual meeting in January, the YWCA of the Hartford Region was thrilled to honor two deserving recipients with the 2007 Creating Opportunities Award:

 

Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center is our 2007 recipient in the Business Partner Category. Saint Francis Care and the YWCA partnered in 1999 to establish the Growing Tree Early Learning Center located on Garden Street in Hartford. As landlord, Saint Francis has been a trusted and committed partner in ensuring that this vital child care site, which also includes the Time Out for Parents program, meets the needs of the people in the neighborhood. This year, Saint Francis Hospital donated the Growing Tree building to the YWCA. We are grateful for their assistance and generosity to ensure that this program continues to thrive.

 

Marion Griffin is the 2007 Individual award honoree because of her dedication and commitment to the YWCA for almost 15 years. In the mid-90's she served on the Board and as President of the Board of Directors. Marion has been an advocate for the YWCA and was a force behind the implementation of the Money Conference for Women where she currently serves on the Steering Committee. We thank her for her many years of loyal service and generous support.

 

2007 marks the 25th anniversary that the Towns of Manchester and West Hartford have been involved with the YWCA. We began our childcare programs in both towns with the cooperation of local officials. Both towns have been great supporters of YWCA programs and activities through the years and we salute them for their partnership and involvement. Currently the YWCA provides after school, nursery school and TOP program services in Manchester. The Elmwood Early Learning Center and KidsLink after school programs care for children in West Hartford.

 

The Kaplan Early Learning Company and Dave Kulick in particular have worked with the YWCA to develop an innovative collaboration to help improve the quality of preschool services. Sharing our vision for a new and improved Growing Tree, Mr. Kulick arranged for the Kaplan Company to donate a complete preschool classroom of equipment and learning materials to our center valued at approximately $17,000.

For her exemplary individual support of the YWCA. In her nomination, Debra Palermino, former Board President, said: "Sherry Manetta is a past board president. She led the YWCA board during a period of significant turmoil. She is among the early backers of the In the Company of Women Luncheon and remains one of the most productive members of the Sponsorship Committee. Sherry is also a generous individual donor to the organization."