Congratulations to our 2011 Power of Family award winners!

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Please join us in congratulating these wonderful people for a job well done!

Shared Vision Award

Cottage 2 Staff (Necco Center)

Personal Mastery Award

Brooke Kincheloe

Egghead Award

Team Data: Cathy McDowell & Randy Thomas

Wellness Award

Kelly Adkins

Business Intelligence Award

JP Montgomery

Team Learning Award

Jonesboro Team

Individuality Award

Jill Amos

Selfless Service Award

David Chaltas

Truth to Power Award

Jennifer Graham

Fundraiser Award

Augusta Team

Meritocracy Award

JP Montgomery

Level 5 Leader Award

Kelly Adkins

Entrepreneur Award

Lexington Team

Idea of the Year Award

Florence Home Resource Team

Communities must be experienced to be learned

Rhonda Riley

The group is very important to youth

Grayson Team

Children should know some joy in each day

Tammy Stevens

Competence makes a difference

Heather Kidd

Fun Award

Florence Team

Ceremony and ritual give order

Ruthanne Delong

The cognitive competence of children

Lexington Independent Living Team

The body is the armature of the self

South Point Corporate

Teacher / Counselor Award

Becky Adams

Horizon Award

Shannon Gillum

Advocate of the Year Award

Jane Wusik

Team of the Year

Florence Team

Employee of the Year

Pam Priddy

Customer Service Award

Tom Hunter

Trust between child and adult is essential

Linda Edwards

Books for Bucks

1st place: Brooke Kincheloe

2nd place: Brenda Ellis

3rd place: Kelli Fryer

Thanks again for the amazing job you all have done in 2011 and to a even better 2012.

Necco Featured in Paducah Parenting Mag.

Necco is proud to be featured in the July issue of Paducah Parenting Magazine (PPM), a great local resources for families in the Paducah, KY area.  Rhonda Riley, program director, submitted a great article about becoming a foster-to-adopt parent.  If you’ve considered fostering or adopting a child, find the Necco location nearest you by going online at www.necco.org/locations.html .  In the meantime, you can click the link below to read the 2 page PPM article below.

paducah_parenting_mag

 

Necco Nation Shines at Summer Slam 2011

It was a super hot day at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, OH but that didn’t stop Necco employees, and their families, from attending the annual Necco Summer Slam event.  The Reds beat the Braves in an 11-2 victory, complete with a 7 run stance in the 7th inning.  While the Reds were doing their thing, Necco Nation gathered under the Fan Zone tent for a special 7th inning presentation.  Once again, we honored those who have been with us the past 5, 10, 15, and 20+ years with Service Awards.  Necco has an above industry average employee satisfaction rate, and it shows from all the service awards that were handed out.

The day was organized by Gina H. in our Cincinnati HQ office.  She made sure everyone made it to the game in style and had a blast with plenty of popcorn, hot dogs, and ballpark fare.  Necco Nation was well represented by employees in all of our states – KY, OH, WV, and GA!  We’ll be living it up at GABP again next year, but until then, you can check out our photo gallery with just a few of the day’s highlights.

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Congrats to our 2011 Art And Poetry :: Design Your Dreams :: Contest Winners!

Congrats to our 2011 Art & Poetry :: Design Your Dreams :: Contest Winners! The Grand Prize Winner, Brittany H. of Grayson, gets to design a cool tee featuring her artwork later this year! Also, make sure to look for a calendar later this year featuring artwork and poetry from this contest!  We enjoyed looking through all of the submissions; they were creative, fun, and touching. We love to see our kids expressing themselves through different art forms!  For more information on Necco, or how you can become a foster parent, visit us at www.necco.org.

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2011 Youth Art & Poetry Contest – Design your dreams!

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you’ve imagined.”  ~ Henry David Thoreau

2010 Specialty t-shirt design from grand prize winner, Stephanie of Grayson, KY. These shirts were proudly worn by Necco staff, foster parents, and IL youth at Kentucky's 2011 Children's Advocacy Day in Frankfort, KY.

How would you “design your dreams?”  In honor of National Foster Care Month, Necco kids will have another opportunity to express their life dreams through art and poetry.  The 2011 Youth Art & Poetry Contest is open to youth in Necco foster care, independent living, or residential programs in grades K-12 (+ for IL kids), as of May 1, 2011.  Now through Friday, June 10 our kids may submit up to three entries for a chance to win monetary prizes and a chance at a grand prize guest spot designing the 2011 specialty t-shirt!  Entry forms and official contest rules can be found online at http://www.necco.org/.  Last year’s inaugural event was a great success with many quality entries from some very talented kids!  We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the judges’ committee this year! 

For more details, please go online to the entry form and contest rules at www.necco.org or contact Marketing at 513-381-1531, or dnecco@necco.org. 

Necco News Winter Issue 2011

Necco is pleased to present our Winter 2011 copy of Necco News.  Jam packed with everything happening from December 2010 through February 2011, this issue is sure to please.  Take a look now!

Necco News Winter 2011

Necco shines at the 20th Annual Basketball Extravaganza!

Necco of Cincinnati and Florence teamed up this year to sponsor the 20^th Annual Basketball Extravaganza held at Fifth Third Arena on the campus of the University of Cincinnati.  This charity basketball game has become a tradition in the Greater Cincinnati area.  Featuring ex or retired pro baseball and football all-stars, the Basketball Extravaganza is a fun way to bring the members of the Cincinnati community together for a worthwhile cause.  This year, the event benefactor was Sojourner Recovery Services, which provides treatment programs and support for individuals struggling with chemical dependency.

As a sponsor of this year’s event, Necco received its own seating section – which we filled with over 500 Necco staff members, foster parents, youth and community supporters of our programs and services.  Necco staff from Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia attended the event!   In addition, we received some fantastic community recognition including an exhibit booth, advertisements, signs, and banners.  Necco was the main sponsor of the $10,000 half court shot, and several Necco youth were selected to participate in the halftime shootout earning the chance to win autographed prizes.  The players generously signed autographs for Necco kids and families, and provided a fun night of family entertainment for all!

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Necco converges on Frankfort for Children’s Advocacy Day 2011

On February 17 Necco representatives traveled to the state capitol in Frankfort, KY for the 7^th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day.  Sponsored by Kentucky Youth Advocates and organizations like Necco that work with kids and families, Children’s Advocacy Day has become a major event for groups and private citizens everywhere that are concerned about children.  More than 1,000 people from across Kentucky converged on the capitol to speak directly with legislators concerning issues that affect Kentucky’s children and families.  This year marked the 5^th consecutive year that Necco has participated in the event.  Sixty-one Necco staff, foster parents, foster youth, and independent living youth attended on behalf of Necco and its mission to take the best possible care of the people we serve and those who serve them.  They attended meetings with Governor’s office staff and legislators and handed out informative materials highlighting our work and  the need for public support when it comes to Kentucky’s kids.  Our goal in attending Children’s Advocacy Day is to educate legislators on the impact of their decision-making, and urge them to put families and children first when making those decisions.

Children’s Advocacy Day Coordinator Randy Thomas said, “Necco foster parents and staff advocate for youth every day of the year, but Children’s Advocacy Day is a special day for us and our youth as we get to speak directly with our legislators and advocate for our kids and all kids who are served through the child welfare and juvenile justice system.  This is an opportunity to put a real face on issues facing many youth and families in Kentucky.  I could not be more proud of the foster parents, staff and youth that attended Children’s Advocacy Day to share their personal stories and connect with their legislative representatives.  Necco recognizes the importance of legislative and administrative advocacy and we will continue to advocate with our representatives throughout the year.”

We are very pleased with the turnout this year, and are proud of the Necco community’s support and response to such an important day interacting with state government.  For more information about Children’s Advocacy Day, visit Kentucky Youth Advocates online at http://www.kyyouth.org/.  To learn more about Necco and how to get involved, visit us online at http://www.necco.org/ or contact the Necco location nearest you.

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It’s Cincinnati Basketball Extravaganza Time!

Attention Sports Fans! Necco of Cincinnati and Florence have teamed up to Sponsor the 20^th Annual Basketball Extravaganza on Saturday, February 19, 2011.  Featuring Cincinnati Football All-Stars vs. Cincinnati Baseball All-Stars. The game is sure to be a crowd pleaser with an autograph session after the game, plus a Raffle for a chance to make a 1/2 court shot for $10,000, face painting, music, and more!

This year’s event benefits Sojourner Recovery Services, a great non-profit organization in Cincinnati that seeks to improve the lives of many.  Come hang out with NECCO, Sojourner, A Kid Again, and all the All-Stars Cincinnati has to offer!  This action pack event is not to be missed, especially if you’re an avid autograph collector and sports fan!  It’s like the Cincinnati Caravan in full swing action!

2011 Basketball Extravaganza

Saturday, February 19, 2011

7:30 p.m.

The University of Cincinnati

Fifth Third Arena

2700 O’Varsity Way | Cincinnati, OH 45219

2011 Anticipated Players include: Jerome Simpson, Domato Peko, Jonathan Fanene, Bobby Williams, Kevin Huber, Chris Welsh, Tom Browning, Al Moore, Jeff Branson, Ron Oster, Ickey Woods, David Fulcher, Jim Breech, Eric Thomas

And more!

Help us fill up our Necco Section! If you are a member of the Necco organization and would like to Reserve Tickets: call Angela @ [513] 381.1531 and provide your name, address, and number of tickets needed.   Put on your favorite Necco gear and come out for a fun evening!  Admission is complimentary for Necco staff, youth, and foster families, so be sure to reserve your tickets today!

Outside of the Necco organization call the A Special Event Box Office to reserve tickets at :: 513.347.4900

A special visit from Santa at Necco Center

Scratch every notion you have about Santa, because Necco Center has the inside scoop. Did you think Santa is a jolly fellow?  

Santa Barnes and her bag of goodies!

Or maybe that he lives at the North Pole? Well, we hate to break it to you, but Santa is actually a jolly lady who lives north of Dayton, OH, and who happens to provide care for the Center kids!  Necco Center’s one and only Dr. Darlene Barnes paid a visit to all the boys at Necco Center on December 11, 2010. She brought with her a bag stuffed full of toys and games. Every boy got one because they were all on Dr. Barnes’ NICE list!  As she called each of the boys up to get their presents, their eyes lit with excitement as they rummaged through their cache!

Santa Barnes brought footballs, cars, jackets, action figures and candy to name just a few. There was no shortage of smiles after her trip!  All the boys were extremely appreciative. Santa Barnes is a busy, busy lady with all her Christmas duties, but she wanted to make sure our boys got their presents first and foremost!

Thank you Dr. Barnes from everyone at Necco Center for the work that you do!

-Story by Iris Kelley of Necco Center