Message from Ellen
 At Any Baby Can, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to fulfill his potential.
To achieve this mission, we have brought together a range of educational, therapeutic and support services bringing help and hope to the youngest, the sickest and the poorest children in our community and their families.
How we deliver these services may surprise you-- the vast majority of our work is done in the home, the natural environment of these vulnerable children. The ability of our highly skilled, professional staff to provide individualized support in a culturally sensitive manner, while thinking on their feet in varying and often challenging environments is most impressive.
It may also surprise you to learn what an excellent investment of community dollars this intensive work can be. A new analysis by the Rand Corp. reinforces that every dollar invested in well targeted prevention and intervention services for high-risk children before their 5th birthday can return up to $17 in cost savings to the community down the road.
What won't surprise you is when a child is in crisis, it can be a sad story, often a tragic story...but we cannot allow it to be the end of the story. Rather it must be the beginning of the journey, a journey of hope toward fulfillment of that child's potential. With your support, Any Baby Can will be there to guide the way.
In this issue, we highlight the results of our recent event season. While we celebrate our successes, we know we have more work ahead of us.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Executive Director
ellenb@abcaus.org
June 21-22 PBS Documentary Illustrates Crisis of Childhood Cancer
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| Ryan Caron |
ABC's Candlelighters staff and ABC Board Member, Beth Myler, are part of a collaboration bringing "A Lion in the House," a poignant film exploring the journeys of five families through childhood cancer, to the Austin viewing area several times in June.
SAVE THE DATES--SEE LOCAL STORY: June
16- Noon and 8pm; June 18 - 4:30pm - As a prequel to "A Lion
in the House," a locally filmed documentary called "Austin Now" will feature
our Candlelighters' client, Ryan Caron, on Broadcast Channel 18 and Cable
9.
June 21-22 - 8pm-10pm each night - A co-production of ITVS and PBS, "A Lion in the House" documentary will have its broadcast premiere on Broadcast Channel 18 and Cable 9.
"Your child has cancer." Hearing these four words will profoundly change a family's life, plunging them into a world of uncertainty, emotional upheaval and excruciating decisions.
Every year in the United States, approximately 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with this disease. Each will have a unique experience in confronting the disease and the treatment, but all will embark on a journey that is bewildering, terrifying, nearly unbearable, and certainly quite unlike anything most people associate with the normal experience of childhood. The families of the children will join them on their harrowing odyssey, and
regardless of outcome, no one involved will ever be the same again.
Award-winning filmmakers Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert bring audiences face to face with the uncertainty of the entire cancer experience and its rippling effects on family, community and professional caregivers. "A Lion in the House" is an intimate, intense and ultimately inspiring documentary about ordinary people getting through the impossible. At the core of the story is the resilience, courage and wisdom of five extraordinary young people and their families.
The Candlelighters Program at Any Baby Can provides medical case management and counseling for families of children with cancer from diagnosis throughout treatment. Services are intended to support families, link them with resources, and assist them in coping effectively throughout their entire experience with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. Each year, when families in Central Texas hear those chilling words, "Your child has cancer," Any Baby Can is there to bring help and hope.
 Click Here to Watch Preview
 Click Here to Donate to Candlelighters
(Please specify "Candlelighters" in the comments section.)
Dennis Quaid Charity Weekend Beats the Heat and Rain to Help Kids
The 2006 Dennis Quaid Charity Weekend was held on May 5-7. Any Baby Can will receive approximately $60,000 of the $300,000 raised by the Quaid events. In a year when many charities report that giving levels are down, we are encouraged that this event maintained year-over-year financial performance. Organizers and charities are already meeting to set ambitious goals for improved logistics and financial performance next year.
 Early feedback indicates that the downtown event venues and the kid celebrities were the big hits. Still others enjoyed the Fashion Show, Poker Tournament, and the Gala. Some of the celebrities that attended this year's event included Zac Efron of "High School Musical," Greg Kinnear, R. Lee Ermey, Jack McGee, Don Felder, Mick Fleetwood, Brett Cullen, Gordon Clapp, Rex Linn, and Topher Grace.
 Several celebrities including Dennis Quaid, Lalaine, Zac Efron and Chris and Kyle Massey put smiles on the faces of our clients and staff during their visits to the Any Baby Can office. Not only did they sign autographs for eager fans, they also posed for pictures, read "The Little Red Hen," sang songs and played with our special needs children.
Moving forward into next year's planning, Dennis and our event partner, ZC Entertainment, are setting ambitious goals to position the charity weekend as one of Austin's premiere fundraising events. Look for more details as they become available, including next year's event date and location details. Lastly and most importantly, many heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave of their time and resources to make this year's event a success.
 Click Here to View Pictures from Dennis Quaid Charity Weekend
10th Annual Jeff Bailey Memorial Tennis Tournament Benefiting Candlelighters
Players and spectators enjoyed a day of laughter, competition, and fun in the sun for the 10th Annual Jeff Bailey Memorial Tennis Tournament on May 5, 2006, at the Courtyard Tennis Club. The tournament is held every year in memory of Jeff Bailey, former President of the Austin Association of Life Underwriters, who became involved with Candlelighters after he was diagnosed with cancer in 1988. Jeff was an avid tennis player and Courtyard member with a special interest in helping children with cancer.
Thanks to the efforts of our super organizing committee chaired by Kim Kieschnick of NAIFA-Austin and Kathy Bailey of the ABC Advisory Board, the players, spectators, and sponsors, we raised more than $16,000. We hope to see you at next year's event.
9th Annual Rockin' Roundup Sets Fundraising Record
The Rockin' Roundup is our biggest fundraiser, and this year proved t o be one of our best events ever, raising a record-setting $96,000. Community leaders (pictured right), Hal and Betty Meyer, were honored at the April 8th event.
Over 600 friends of Any Baby Can enjoyed a fun filled evening at Texas Disposal Systems Exotic Game Ranch with activities such as the Hill Country Skeet Tournament, the Wildflower Wine Toss, and a Swingin' Silent Auction. Our guests kicked up their heels to music from The Texas Swing Kings and indulged their appetites by feasting on elegant down home cooking by Ruggles Grill.
Any Baby Can's new agency video, "Tears of Hope" debuted during the evening's program. This touching video, produced by Carolyn Krawczyk of Atherton Pictures, highlights five of our clients, their stories, and the in-home services we provide to them.
Special thanks to our honorees, our organizing committee, sponsors and guests!
Click Here to View Pictures from Rockin' Roundup
Any Baby Can Awarded Two ELOA Grant
In January 2006, our Healthy and Fair Start Program was awarded two Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) grants by Success By 6, a collab orative initiative convened by United Way Capital Area. The grants, totaling $80,000, will serve families in specific zip codes of Northeast, East, and Southeast Austin.
One grant will extend home visiting services to families whose young children, 0 to 3 years, are at risk of developmental delays, abuse or neglect. A Bilingual Home Parent Educator/Case Manager will make weekly home visits to high risk families to provide individualized parenting education, child development education and case management services. This grant will broaden the service area for our Healthy and Fair Start Program. The ELOA project will track the parents' increased use of verbal interaction with the child and the development of early childhood literacy skills.
The second grant will support formation of playgroups in targeted zipcodes. These groups, facilitated by Parent Leaders identified and trained through ABC outreach in high-risk neighborhoods, are designed to foster early literacy and social development of young children and their parents.
Founder of CEDEN, Emily Vargas-Baron, Visits Any Baby Can
Many of you will be thrilled to know that in May we were honored by a visit from Dr. Emily Vargas-Baron, the visionary who founded CEDEN Family Resource Center in 1979.
During her visit, Emily met with our team to hear first-hand about the evolution of our services and to share insights from her worldwide work with children through UNICEF. Emily was especially thrilled to visit with long-time staff members Alexandra Alfau and Ruth Wells, former CEDEN Board Member, Dr. Cliff Price and former ABC Executive Director and CEDEN Board Member, Lila Carl.
We would like to reach out to our CEDEN supporters! If you know anyone who would like to receive updates from Any Baby Can, please forward this newsletter along or send their contact information to judahc@abcaus.org.
Volunteer Spotlight - Family Literacy Program
Veronica, a senior at the University of Texas describes how volunteering at Any Baby Can has taught her that "the more you give, the more you get." In assisting Ruth Wells with the Family Literacy Program, Veronica spent the semester learning about other cultures, helping families in need, and gaining a better understanding of how our agency enriches the lives of those who need it most. Read below to learn about Veronica's experience in her own words...
"Helping Mrs. Ruth with the Family Literacy Program, reaffirmed my belief that there is a  great desire within the Latino community to learn English. Dedicated and knowledgeable instructors like Mrs. Ruth are vital to this process," commented Veronica. "The literacy students' unwavering dedication and consistent attendance to these free classes filled me with pride. I know how many of my college peers skipped classes that cost thousands! I wish my classmates knew what a privilege it is to attend UT when so many in our community are struggling to learn their ABC's."
"Interacting with students from all over Latin America increased my knowledge about other cultures. I learned so much about their personal experiences, navigating life in the United States. One mother, in particular, explained to me the difficulty she was having with her teenage daughter's academic progress. I suggested she visit the school counselor because they could offer help and information, but to my surprise the mother had no idea this resource existed! How amazing that I may have helped a mother ensure her child's success."
"I didn't expect that in just 60 hours I would forever strengthen my values of humility, compassion and gratitude. I only wish more people had the opportunity to share my volunteer experience because our community would surely be a better place."
Any Baby Can's Family Literacy Program helps parents and their young children learn language and literacy skills together. By providing them with the necessary literacy and language skills, we are giving them tools to advocate for themselves and empower their families on a daily basis.
 Click Here to Learn About Volunteer Opportunities
Shoes for Austin awards 160 pairs to Any Baby Can
The Any Baby Can Parenting Education Program and Family Literacy Program have been awarded a total of 160 pairs of shoes and socks from Shoes for Austin for 2006!
Shoes for Austin is a non-profit organization that gives new athletic shoes and socks to young children and adults who strive to improve their lives. In order to receive a pair of shoes, a client in the Parenting Education Program must attend six or more parenting classes, demonstrate an increased knowledge of parenting techniques, and participate in group discussions. Those involved in the Family Literacy Program must complete and pass three standards for Adult Basic Education Skills.
 Shoes for Austin will provide 11,000 pairs of shoes in 2006 to over 40 non-profit agencies. Since its inception in 2000, Shoes for Austin has partnered with more than 80 local non-profits and donated more than 41,000 pairs of shoes valued at over $3.5 million to deserving children and families across Austin.
A Look Ahead...
In future newsletters and email updates, we will provide advance notice of upcoming events, report on event results, and feature some of our great staff and volunteers. We are always happy to hear from you. Please feel free to send your feedback to: info@abcaus.org |
