1. family and parenting
2. children

1
Dear Friends,
Welcome to our Eleventh Annual International Tasting!
Your attendance tonight helps FAMILYConnections bring award-winning
services to those in need – reuniting families, enhancing the independence
of seniors, empowering victims of domestic violence to heal and grow
strong, and giving children the safety, skills and support to thrive in
school and life.
Tonight is also an occasion to honor two very special people – Paula
Sabreen, our Lifetime Achievement Awardee, and Lawrence Rosen, our
2015 Champion of the People.
FAMILYConnections succeeds because we work hard to apply our long
experience, our creativity and our passion to tackle difficult problems with
fresh ideas. We are deeply committed to providing aid where the need
is greatest and the resources most limited. As always, these efforts are
founded on the conviction that the people we serve can build on their own
strengths to overcome obstacles and thereby grow and succeed.
So, on behalf of our Board of Trustees, our 155 staff members, and the
more than 4,000 children, adults and families we served this year, we
thank you for joining us tonight and for standing with us as we reach out,
providing help, hope, safety and strength to our neighbors.
We could not do it without your loyal support!
Sincerely,
Errol Seltzer
Ellen Davenport
Executive Director
President, Board of Trustees
1
Sponsors
On behalf of the thousands of children and families we serve,
FAMILYConnections extends our deepest gratitude to
the generous sponsors of this year’s International Tasting.
Diamond Sponsors
Cra-Z-Art
Greenberg Traurig
Silver Sponsors
The Jennifer A. Chalsty Foundation
David Ellis Events
The Day Family Foundation in Loving Memory of Dorothy Day
Investors Bank
Maccabi Haifa
McCarter & English, LLP
Silent Maid
Bronze Sponsors
The Miller Conturso Group at Morgan Stanley
Pearl Sponsors
Beth and Steven Berns
Ellen and Donald Davenport
Amanda and Neil Friedman
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co
Faith and Maurice Lefkort
Lynn and Roger Manshel
The Marcal Group
Mutual of America
One Flight Up Design & Innovation, Inc.
PSE&G
Rebecca, Daniel and Robert Sabreen
Judy and Josh Weston
2
2014 – 2015
Development Committee
Co-Chairs
Faith S. Lefkort
Jody Lipsky
Members
Ellen Davenport
Kelly Heller
Alan Levine
Bernice Manshel
Roger Manshel
Beth Sonnenberg
Jami Thall
Heartfelt thanks to this year’s Development
Committee for their energy, creativity and hard work
in producing tonight’s Eleventh International Tasting.
Their tireless dedication to this event and
to FAMILYConnections is appreciated by all.
3
Paula Sabreen, LCSW
For 43 years Paula Sabreen has been a tireless advocate for
vulnerable children and families, and has been recognized
for her passionate voice in fighting for quality services for the
state’s most vulnerable families. She is known for delivering
state-of-the-art and innovative services that are culturally
competent and trauma informed. Through her leadership,
FAMILYConnections is recognized for providing services that
keep families together and that foster resilience and recovery for all individuals. Paula has
dedicated her career to expanding community outreach, collaboration and partnership and
has focused on performance outcomes through a strong quality improvement program.
During her 19 year tenure as Executive Director of FAMILYConnections, Paula oversaw
the growth of a small community child guidance agency with a $900,000 budget offering
traditional counseling services into an $11,000,000 agency with 35 programs at 12
locations. These include specialized services for abused and neglected children, victims
of domestic violence, seriously mentally ill children and adults, and teens and adults in
need of substance abuse treatment. Her belief in prevention as a key strategy led to the
development of: innovative child mental health services in pre-schools located throughout
Essex County, an on-site therapeutic nursery, school-based youth services programs; as
well as ADAPT – the Essex County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team that raises
awareness to reduce underage drinking and substance abuse.
Before coming to FAMILYConnections, Paula worked at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
for over 18 years. As an Assistant Vice President she was responsible for all ambulatory
mental health services, an employee child daycare center, and oversaw the development
and delivery of innovative services to meet the mental health needs of children and
adolescents in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Paula is a Licensed Clinical
Social Worker, and received her Master in Social Work degree from Rutgers University.
For almost her entire career, she has served as an at-large board member and officer of
the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addictions Agencies, participated
on key local and State planning groups, and was co-chair of the Children’s Advisory
Committee of the Governor’s Mental Health Task Force. Paula and her husband Bob
live in Westfield and are the proud parents of two children, Daniel and Rebecca.
4
Larry Rosen
Lawrence (“Larry”) Rosen is the Chairman of LaRose Industries
LLC, known as Cra-Z-Art Arts & Crafts.
Larry spent 30 years as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer at Rose Art Industries and is credited with growing
the business from $875,000 to over $375 million.
His marketing expertise has grown his family business
to over 5,000 employees.
Larry’s new endeavor Cra-Z-Art, currently has over 600 associates and is the fastest
growing company in the toy and stationery industry. In just six years, the company has
grown so that its products are sold in 40 countries and sales have risen to approximately
$200 million.
Larry has been an avid supporter of numerous children’s charities throughout his 37
year business career. In 2012, he donated over $150,000 worth of art supplies and other
activities to The Today Show Annual Holiday Toy Drive, bringing holiday cheer to hundreds
of kids impacted by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey. Larry has worked with
the Toy Industry Foundation and Fireman’s Benevolent Association of New Jersey; both
organizations support charities aimed at helping needy children nationwide. In addition,
he supports the St. Jude Foundation, NY Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, NJ
Cancer Center, American Cancer Society and Juvenile Diabetes.
“Cra-Z-Art as a company is all about inspiring one’s creativity, and for children to feel
inspired to create,” says Larry. “By providing children with activities that use their creativity
and imaginations, we are also giving them an important tool to deal with life down the road.”
Larry’s dedication and enthusiasm is evident to everyone he comes in contact with. His
uncanny ability to captivate both adults and children with his personal creativity and design
ideas can be compared to a modern day “Willy Wonka.” Whether he is describing the spark
of creativity that led to his design of Lite Brix, or his bright idea to create a glowing cotton
candy machine, Larry’s spark of imagination and creativity can inspire us all.
Larry recently co-produced a children’s movie entitled “The Hero of Color City”
in-partnership with Mark Cuban. In addition, he has made appearances on “Curb Your
Enthusiasm”, “The Sopranos” and “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.”
He is thrilled to have been part of the FAMILYConnections family for the past three years.
Larry and his wife Deborah are the proud parents of Brandon, who is an accomplished
musician and is providing the music for tonight’s Gala.
5
Tonight’s Program
International Food & Wine Tasting
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
7:45 pm
Welcoming Remarks
by
Ellen M. Davenport, President, Board of Trustees
and Errol Seltzer, Executive Director
Introduction of Lifetime Achievement Honoree
by
Michal Milow
Director of Quality Improvement and CultureConnections
FAMILYConnections
Honoree Remarks
Paula Sabreen, 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award
Introduction of Champion of the People Honoree
by
Faith Lefkort
Trustee, FAMILYConnections
Honoree Remarks
Lawrence Rosen, 2015 Champion of the People Award
Closing Remarks
Errol Seltzer
7:45 pm
Basket and Silent Auction Concludes
6
Restaurants & Caterers
We are deeply grateful for the generosity of the fine establishments serving
tonight’s delicious assortment of international food and drink. Please encourage
friends and family to use and enjoy their services. A special thank you to
long-time participants and we welcome our newest ones.
Ariyoshi**
56 W. South Orange Avenue
South Orange, NJ 07079
973.378.8818
Basilico Restaurant**
324 Millburn Avenue
Millburn, NJ 07041
973.379.7020
www.basilicomillburn.com
The Club at Orange Lawn
305 North Ridgewood Road
South Orange, NJ 07079
973.762.0928
www.orangelawn.com
Chocolate Works of Millburn
321 Millburn Avenue
Millburn, NJ 07041
973.218.9222
www.facebook.com/chocolateworksmillburn
David Ellis Events**
8 East Frederick Place
Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927
973.539.3000
www.davidellisevents.com
The Essex House
525 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
973.731.2222
www.essexhousenj.com
Fiorino Ristorante**
38 Maple Street
Summit, NJ 07901
908.277.1900
www.fiorinoristorante.com
Libretti’s Restaurant**
554 Nassau Street
Orange, NJ 07050
973.673.5155
www.librettis.com
Lithos Estiatorio
405 Eisenhower Parkway
Livingston, NJ 07039
973.758.1111
www.lithosgreekrestaurant.com
Market Restaurant & Bar
995 Mount Kemble Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960
908.502.5106
www.marketharding.com
Martini Bistro & Bar**
40 Main Street
Millburn, NJ 07041
973.376.4444
www.martinibistro.com
Nero’s Grille**
618 South Livingston Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
973.994.1410
www.neros.com
** Tastings participant 5 years or more
7
Restaurants & Caterers, Cont’d
Papillon 25**
25 Valley Street
South Orange, NJ 07079
973.761.5299
www.papillon25.com
Sweet Sisters**
89 Horseneck Road
Fairfield, NJ 07004
973.244.2484
www.sweetsisterscakes.com
Restaurant Serenade**
6 Roosevelt Avenue
Chatham, NJ 07928
973.701.0303
www.restaurantserenade.com
THAVMA Mediterranean Grill
6230 Town Center Way
Livingston, NJ 07039
973.992.8999
www.thavmagrill.com
RW Delights,
Home of
the Heavenly Souffle
Millington, NJ 07946
718.683.1038
www.rwdelights.com
Splurge Bakery**
105 Main Street
Millburn, NJ 07041
973.379.0740
www.splurgebakery.com
Squirrel and The Bee
515 Millburn Avenue
Short Hills, NJ 07078
973.376.4888
www.squirrelandthebee.com
** Tastings participant 5 years or more
8
Board of Trustees
& President’s Circle
Board of Trustees
Ellen M. Davenport
President
Alan P. Levine
First Vice President
Bernadette Ucko, MA, LDT-C
Second Vice President
Jeff R. Harrison, CPA
Treasurer
Bernice Manshel
Secretary
Roger L. Manshel
Facilities Chair
Jethro Antoine, Esq.
Beth A. Berns, LCSW
Victor Cirilo
Lisa-Renee Dumas
Kathleen Fuentes, Esq.
Joseph Glatt, Esq.
Kelly Heller, LSW, C-SSW
Faith S. Lefkort
Jody Lipsky
Reginald Long, Esq.
Diana Kyser
Heidi W. Murphy
Clyde Otis III
Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW
Jami Jacobson Thall
Errol Seltzer, Executive Director
President’s Circle
Priscilla Barrett, LPN, LRCP
Francesco Borghese
Jennifer Chalsty
Gail Kellogg
Robert Corin Morris
Barbara Murray
Chad Peters
Shelden Ogilvy Pisani, Ph.D.
Mark W. Sussman, MAI, CRE
Lloyd Ucko
9
10
11
In loving memory
of
Dorothy Day
Day Family Foundation
12
13
Paula
Congratulations
on your
well-deserved honor
Thank you for providing
a safe haven for children
and families at risk
The Jennifer A. Chalsty Foundation
14
15
16
17
18
19
“The ones that matter most
are the children
They are the true Human Beings”
– American Indian Proverb
Congratulations Paula
On a Lifetime of
Achievement
This is a wonderful honor
and so deserved
We are very very proud
of all that you have accomplished
Love,
Rebecca, Daniel, Bob
20
Larry and Paula
With appreciation
and admiration
for all you do…
Congratulations!
Faith and Maurice Lefkort
21
Congratulations
to the Honorees
Lawrence Rosen
&
Paula Sabreen
2015
Donald & Ellen Davenport
22
In honor of
Paula Sabreen
and
Lawrence Rosen
Congratulations!
Beth and Steven Berns
23
Thank you, Paula,
for guiding
FAMILYConnections
to where
we are today.
Lynn and
Roger Manshel
24
FAMILYConnections –
at the heart of
community connections!
Best wishes,
Judy and Josh Weston
25
26
27
IN HONOR OF
Lawrence Rosen
and
Paula Sabreen
THE MARCAL GROUP
28
29
CONGRATULATIONS
LARRY ROSEN
from
Neil and Amanda Friedman
30
31
“Do not go where the path may LEAD instead
go where there is no path and leave a TRAIL.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
”
Thank you Paula
for 19 years
of blazing our trail!
From the staff at
FAMILYConnections
32
Paula Sabreen and Larry Rosen
33
34
Congratulations
to the
FAMILYConnections organization
and Larry Rosen
for all the generous efforts
to this great cause.
Kurt and Lisa Behrle
Roseland Eye Care and Vision Associates
35
The Drill Family
proudly supports
FAMILYConnections and
congratulates honorees
Lawrence Rosen
&
Paula Sabreen
Drill Construction
36
37
www.geltrude.com • www.pensionauditors.com
38
39
Paula
Congratulations on this wonderful
and well deserved honor!
Peggy and Arnie Cohen, Linda and Hugh Coleman,
Pam and Jack Lerner, Lydia and Joe Masterson,
Mona and Jay Shulman
Congratulations to
Paula Sabreen and Lawrence Rosen
We are proud to be a part of FAMILYConnections
Errol and Barbara Seltzer
40
Congratulations to the honorees
for your continued dedication to
FAMILYConnections.
Frema and Ivan Sobel
41
42
43
Congratulations Paula.
What a wonderful accomplishment!
Love from your Pitt friends –
Michael, Betsy, Kathy and Lynne
44
announcing:
Our New Annual Report
“It’s all about doing whatever we can do
to foster positive change.”
Engaging New Partners,
Expanding Services,
and Meeting More Needs
www.familyconnectionsnj.org
45
We are especially thankful to our benefactors,
sustainers and donors for attending tonight’s event.
BENEFACTORS
Joseph and Robyn Glatt
Heidi and Christopher Murphy
SUSTAINERS
Dr. Stephen T. and Marianne Busby
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Caminito
Louis V. Henston
Jacques Hryshko
and Patricia Murty
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Lake
Bernice and Max Manshel
Ed and Darenda Sheridan
John Surface
Larry and Gayle Wieseneck
DONORS
Stewart and Andrea Adams
Charles Adickman
Nancy Balakonis
Andrea and Philip Bershad
Alan Paul and Rebecca Blumenstein
Patrick Morrissy
and Jean Ray Campbell
Arnold and Peggy Cohen
Kelly Heller, LSW, C-SSW
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Daniels
Ellen M.
and Donald F. Davenport
Duplitron
John Feldman
Kathleen and Carlos Fuentes
Eric and Perrine Geller
Jay and Susan Greenwald
Michael R. and Jane Griffinger
Cynthia Herbert
David and Tammye Jones
Lori and Bob Kaufman
46
Diana Kyser
Jane and Frank Langendorff
Alan Levine and Fred Shaw
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lifson
Jody Lipsky
Joseph and Lydia Masterson
Barbara B. Murray
Clyde Otis
Linda Antoinette Palazzolo
Thomas and Kathy Ripp
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rosen
Richard and Susan Sabreen
Jerry and Linda Schultz
Robert and Lisa Seela
Shelley B. Slafkes and Bruce Levitt
Laura Sosna
Harriet and Norman Sturner
Jami and Garry Thall
Bernadette Ucko
Vicky Yang
William J. Zester
We are also grateful for the generous contributions
of our supporters and friends
in honor of this occasion.
SUPPORTERS
Elinor and Martin Arlook
Audrey and Howard Kiesel
Randolph H. and Deborah Barker
John and Nancy Lasser
Geri Botwinick
Carol and Robert Marcus
A. Michael and Jean Chodorcoff
Robert and Sarah McClanahan, Jr.
Helen Coen
John and Susan Neely
Jeff and Chris Cohen
Jeffrey and Lynne Pagano
H. Corbin Day
Dr. Sandy and Mr. Arnold Peinado
Dennis and Ann Deutsch
Premier Office Supply
Gelman Family
Paul and Norka Rappoport
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Goldberg
Russell and Debbie Robertson
280 S. Harrison Management
Ms. Janet Robusto
Karen Hartshorn Hilton
Barbara and Robert Rosenberg
and Jim Hilton
Lauren Rutkin
David L. Hoffman
and Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz
Gayle Chamberlin Hoyt
Linda and Ray Schulz
Howard and Margaret Jacobs
Steve Gilbert
Allan Janoff
and Gerry Staddecker
Peter and Ellen Kendall
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Yanez
FRIEND
Reginald Long, Esq.
Thank you also to all our other guests and contributors
whose donations arrived past our publication date.
47
Vision Statement
FamilyConnections envisions a world in which
our services are obsolete because all children,
adults and families are nurtured, educated,
and empowered by safe, healthy
inclusive communities.
Mission Statement
FAMILYConnections’ Mission is to engender hope,
enhance safety, heal trauma, and strengthen
families and communities through innovative
counseling, skills-building, training and prevention.
Thank you for your support!
48
Mission Statement
FAMILYConnections’ mission is to engender
hope, enhance safety, heal trauma,
and strengthen families and communities
through innovative counseling,
skills-building, training and prevention.
7 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101 • East Orange, NJ 07017
973-323-3412 • www.familyconnectionsnj.org