Respect - Hope - Family - Trust - Healing: Because every child deserves a childhood.
In 2009 the Astor Home For Children became Astor Services for Children & Families. For more than fifty years Astor has maintained a commitment to service to our community. We welcome you and invite you to join us in this vital work.
Astor Opens a New School in Poughkeepsie; Congressman Hinchey Among Our Guests
Upcoming Events
NY Archbishop Dolan Visits Astor
December 31, 2009
Archbishop Timothy Dolan visited Astor's Lawrence F. Hickey Center for Child Development in the Bronx.
During the visit, Archbishop Dolan visited all five classrooms where he met and played with the children.
"Thank you for the love and care you show to God's little children,"
said archbisop Dolan.
Read the full story and view a video and slideshow HERE.
Holiday Events Ring In The Season At Astor
December 2009
The Annual St. Nick's Craft Fair and Sugar Plum Preview events featured good cheer and beautiful crafts, all benefiting the children at Astor.
Even in hard times, Astor's holiday fundraising events were a success thanks to our many friends.
View a slideshow of the St. Nick's Craft Fair 2009.
View a slideshow of the Sugar Plum Preview event.
Astor Opens a New School in Poughkeepsie
November 2009
Astor's Dutchess County School Age Day Treatment Program opens at Mt. Carmel School.
Over 100 people were in attendance for the open house, ribbon cutting, and tour of Astor's new facility in the former Mt. Carmel School.
Congressman Maurice Hinchey addressing the audience
This program gives children the chance to thrive in a traditional school environment with the intensive support they need to overcome behavioral challenges. When children and adolescents graduate, they can re-enter public school and transition to their appropriate school placement.
View slideshow and read the complete story...
Annual Assessment Finds Across-The-Board Improvements
October 2009
Astor's latest agency-wide client assessment has found significant improvements in all areas.
In our ongoing effort to improve services, all clinical programs in the Agency continue to assess clients at admission, annually and at discharge. The measurements provide a structured assessment of children and caregivers on dimensions considered key in treatment planning. Individual scores are used to influence client-specific treatment planning, while aggregate data are used for program evaluation.
We are proud to say that in the past year, our data show that clients agency-wide exhibited significant improvements in all areas of assessment.
To learn more, CLICK HERE
Astor Celebrates New Name with Ribbon Cutting
October 1, 2009
Astor Services for Children & Families held a ribbon cutting celebration in honor of our new name and logo on Thursday, September 17 at 12:00 p.m. at our Rhinebeck, NY location. The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Rhinebeck Area Chamber of Commerce joined the celebration, and a great time was had by all!
Astor Board Chair Larry Weisberg addresses the crowd as Dr. James McGuirk, Executive Director/CEO of Astor Services for Children & Families looks on!
Astor Honored With First Ever AMHF Stefan de Schill Award
September 2009
Astor Services for Children & Families is the first recipient of the Stefan de Schill Award, presented by the American Mental Health Foundation (AMHF).
The award is given to exceptional organizations and individuals working in the spirit of AMHF, and honors the life-work of Dr. Stefan de Schill, AMHF Director from 1948 to his death in 2005.
"We are delighted to present the first American Mental Health Foundation, Stefan de Schill Award, to Astor in recognition of their work on behalf of the welfare of young people suffering with emotional problems and their loving families. For more than 55 years, Astor has worked in the spirit of the American Mental Health Foundation," says Evander Lomke, President and Executive Director, American Mental Health Foundation.
Click to read the complete story...
Joint Commission Spotlights Astor Again
August 2009
The Joint Commission has once again featured Astor in its publication "Benchmark", this time as a case study in performance improvement.
In its September/October issue of "Benchmark", The Joint commission singled out Astor for its success at utilizing state-of-the-art methods for improving efficiency and performance. They write:
"Using Lean/Six Sigma, Astor improved the efficiency of its hiring process and enhanced communication regarding hiring throughout the organization. Staff became more familiar with Lean/Six Sigma methodology and the benefits of using such an approach."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Astor Is All Over The Map
August 2009
The Astor website now includes new Google maps to help our clients find our many locations.
Our detailed maps pinpoint all of our locations, both in the Hudson Valley and in the Bronx. These maps will make finding our locations and their contact information much easier for our clients and other visitors.
They also make dramatically clear just how very far Astor's services extend! We list eleven different locations in the Bronx alone, and over 25 locations in the Hudson Valley!
Please take a look at the maps HERE!
Hudson Valley Renegades Pitch In for Astor
August 2009
Astor Services for Children & Families teamed up for the first time with the Hudson Valley Renegades on Monday July 30th to benefit Astor's Hudson Valley Community-Based Behavioral Health and Prevention Services.
In an event called "Dollar Days," the Renegades offered $1 general admission to Monday's 7:05p game against the Staten Island Yankees. Attendees were asked to donate new sports equipment for children in Astor's Hudson Valley programs.
Hickey Center Chosen as Recipient of Deloitte Impact Day Efforts
July 2009
The Lawrence F. Hickey Center for Child Development in the Bronx was selected by global financial services company Deloitte as a recipient to partake in their annual IMPACT DAY that took place on Friday, June 5, 2009.
IMPACT DAY is Deloitte's company-wide volunteer day. Each year they reach out to numerous non-profit agencies throughout New York City and Westchester hoping to make a positive impact on the local community. The Hickey Center was one of this year's recipients. Deloitte volunteers worked on a landscaping project to beautify the center's tricycle path.
Slideshow and complete story...
Astor Head Start Programs Receive 100% Marks
July 2009
In the latest federal review of Astor's Head Start programs, our programs were found to be in 100% compliance!
Our Head Start Annual Report for 2007/2008 details these and other accomplishments. It also provides interesting information about how parents and teachers view our programs.
Read our 2007-2008 Head Start Annual Report.
Stenberg Cup Golf Tournament Benefits Astor
July 2009
Astor held its 11th Annual Stenberg Cup Golf Tournament on Wednesday, June 23. The event was a great success, and the weather made for a beautiful day on the course!
The fun-filled day included 18 holes of golf, barbeque lunch, cocktails with hors d’oeurves, and a live auction. Guests enjoyed the contests, beautiful course, and great food.
View a slideshow of event photos and read more HERE.
Astor Celebrates Name Change at 8th Annual Benefit Dinner
May 2009
The Astor Home For Children has changed its name to Astor Services For Children & Families. We made this exciting announcement and unveiled our new name and logo, the product of a year long re-branding process, at our 8th Annual Dinner, which took place on May 1, 2009 at Locust Grove, Samuel Morse Estate in Poughkeepsie, NY. Thank you to all of our friends and supporters who joined us on this memorable occasion.
Our new name is a better representation of the programs and services we provide to a changing and diverse client base.
Read more about our name change and annual dinner .
Astor and DCRCOC Host Successful Breakfast
March 11, 2009
The Astor Home for Children and Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted its Sixth Annual Public Policy Breakfast on March 3, 2009 at the Poughkeepsie Grand. Over 100 business and community leaders from around the Hudson Valley attended. The keynote speaker was Dr. Sandra Bloom, Board-Certified psychiatrist. She addressed the topic, "Does Childhood Matter to Adults?"
Click here for more on Dr. Bloom!
Astor Kicks Off 2009 Sponsorship Campaign
The Astor Home for Children is running their 2009 Sponsorship Campaign. The monies raised will help replace the heating system which is over 70 years old at our Rhinebeck, NY location. The heating system which serves 75 children and staff in the Residential programs, will be replaced with one that is more energy efficient and reliable. In addition, Astor will realize a tremendous savings for years to come! Your donation can help make this possible!
For more information, contact Stephanie Habich at 845-871-1171.
Shout Out to Astor's New Chairman and Board Members
Congratulations to our new chairman, Larry Weisberg!
Upon his appointment, Weisberg said:
"It's an honor to work with my fellow board members to support the dedicated staff at Astor. The wonderful work that Astor does with children and families helps make our communities stronger."
For more on Larry Weisberg, click here!
Astor would also like to welcome new board members:
Vincent Cozzolino
Kevin Hamilton
James Raimo
Virginia Sibbison
It Was Indeed a Happy Holiday for Astor Children and Families
January 2009
More than 1,000 children and families were "adopted" out in The Astor Home for Children's "Adopt a Family" program. There was an outpouring of interest from many, in a time of economic uncertainty. Individuals, organizations, schools and businesses helped to make the season brighter for those less fortunate and for that, we thank you!
Astor Golf Tournament - June 17, 2010
12th Annual Stenberg Golf Tournament
Dutchess Golf & Country Club- Poughkeepsie, NY
Please call (845) 871-1171 for more information about this event!
Cocktail Reception - April 16, 2010
Swing Into Spring
6:00 p.m.
Barn at The Greenhouse (formerly Pitcher & Sons, a 105 year old farm)- Rhinebeck, NY
Please call (845) 871-1171 for more information about this event!
