In the Spotlight Auditions May 6th, 2012

Do you know a student in grades 6-12 who would love to take part in a great musical?

In The Spotlight announces its audition dates for its mid-summer show, “Kiss Me Kate”.

To learn more, here is the Kiss Me Kate Audition Flyer from In The Spotlight.

Sterling House is Awarded Grant for 2012 Summer Campership Program May 6th, 2012

Sterling House Is Awarded $12,000 Grant From the Fairfield County Community Foundation For The 2012 Summer Campership Program

Lou Perno, Executive Director announces that the Sterling House Community Center has been awarded a $12,000 grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation to support The Youth Program Assistance Fund, specifically for camp scholarships for Sterling Park Day Camp, an 8-week summer camp experience for children and youth in grades Pre-K to 10th grade. This fund will enable Sterling House to provide financial assistance to families in need of resources to enable their children to have a positive, supervised summer experience by attending Sterling Park Day Camp during the summer of 2012. The camp is in operation from June 25 to August 17, 2012.

The camp operates for four two-week sessions, Monday through Friday at Sterling House Community Center, 2283 Main Street, Stratford. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with extended care options from 8 am to 5:30 p.m. Serving children of the community for more than 67 years, Sterling Park Day Camp offers indoor and outdoor physical and non-physical activities, including arts and crafts, sports, music, drama, games of skill, track and field events, swimming, community trips and other events important for character building. Physical facilities include an in-ground swimming pool, playground, recreation field, arts and crafts room, sports court, kitchen, all-purpose room, dressing rooms and showers. This year activities will also include the use of the new “Erin’s Gym”.

Since September 1997, the Youth Program Assistance Fund has assisted over 800 boys and girls ages 2-18. As a result of this financial assistance, youth were able to participate in the following programs: Nursery/Pre-school; basketball league/instructional program; Vacation Special Program; Soccer League; Instructional Soccer Program; High School Basketball League; Lacrosse Program; Sterling Park Day Camp; Teen Night For Special Needs Teens; Smart Buddies Tutoring Program; as well as our after school enrichment classes (woodwork, cooking, babysitting course, home safety class, drawing class, dance lessons, etc.) The Youth Program Assistance Fund has indeed been successful since its inception in that it has given youth an opportunity to participate in positive youth development and child development programs; youth who would not have had this opportunity without this fund.

Sterling House Community Center has been serving the Stratford Community and beyond for 80 years providing social, educational and recreational programs to all ages throughout the year. Positive Youth Development Services includes such programs as athletics, after school programs, Youth In The Community Program, Rent-A-Kid Program, Sterling Park Day Camp along with other social and community services. Last year Sterling House serviced over 12,000 children, teenagers and adults. To learn more about Sterling Park Day Camp and the Youth Program Assistance Fund at Sterling House contact Bill O’Brien, Senior Program/Athletic Director at 378-2606, Ext. 106 or bobrien@sterlinghousecc.org

The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individual, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The Foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services, and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Foundation has awarded over $123 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.

Buy A Brick Program April 12th, 2012

Sterling House is raising money for its playground renovation project. The bricks will be placed in the walk-way going from its parking lot to playground between the grass and front porch of Sterling House. Purchase a 4” X 8” brick with engraving for $75 each (Engraving will be in all capital letters – only 18 characters per line, up to 3 lines). Purchase a brick in memory of someone, to recognize a special friend or relative, for a special milestone, etc…a lasting recognition on the grounds of Sterling House, an historic landmark in Stratford since 1932…Stop by Sterling House Community Center 2283 Main Street, Stratford to purchase an engraved brick…Or call: 203-378-2606 for a brick order form…form also available on-line. Forms must be received by July 15th, 2012.

Brick Program Order Form to download the order form.

Red Cross Babysitting Class offered at Sterling House Community Center March 22nd, 2012

Tuesday and Thursday , May 1st and May 3rd, 2012
3:30-7:00 pm.

$85.00, plus current Sterling House membership.

For youth 11-15 years of age.
Certified Red Cross Instructors

Babysitting Certification upon successful completion of this two day course.

Counselor-In-Training Character and Leadership Program March 16th, 2012

The Sterling House Community Center’s summer day camp is currently accepting registrations for the Counselor-In-Training (C.I.T.) Character and Leadership Development program for young adults going into 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades and who are 14 years old by June 25th according to Robert Wargo, Volunteer Director and Co-Director of the center’s Sterling Park Day Camp. There are only 20 slots available, and students may register by to April 20th. The program registration fee costs $460 plus a Sterling House membership of $12.

“The C.I.T. Character and Leadership Program consists of 5 two-hour sessions that emphasize leadership, child development and safety, and program skills development that will enable young adults to assist in all areas of camp with confidence,” Wargo said. “Additional development will occur daily through the experiences volunteers are exposed to throughout the summer day camp season.”

The C.I.T. Character and Leadership Program is a prerequisite for the Junior Counselor program, the high school aged youth volunteer program for Sterling Park Summer Day Camp.

For more information, visit our Summer Day Camp Services Page for details.

Sterling House Accepting Registration for Summer Day Camp March 1st, 2012

Register & Save…Sterling House is now accepting registration for its summer day camp program, Sterling Park Day Camp. Register before May 1st and pay only $325/session; after May 1st the camp free will increase to $350/session. Enrollment is filled on a first come-first serve basis; limited enrollment.

The summer day camp for boys and girls from Pre-K (4 yr olds) through 8th grade will operate in four two-week sessions beginning June 25th and concluding Aug. 17th. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for Pre-K children and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for campers in grades K-8th, with extended hours beginning at 8 a.m. and concluding at 5:30 p.m. for an additional cost.

Sterling Park Day Camp, which has served children of the community for more than 66 years, offers indoor and outdoor physical and non-physical activities, including arts and crafts, sports, music, drama, games of skill, track and field events, swimming and community trips. This year activities will also include the use of the new “Erin’s Gym”.

Physical facilities include an in-ground swimming pool, playground, recreation field, arts and crafts room, “Erin’s Gym”, kitchen, all-purpose room, dressing rooms and showers.

Sterling House maintains a scholarship fund for children from Stratford and surrounding communities. A gift of $325 would send a child to the camp for a one two-week session. If interested in contributing to the Sterling Park Day Camp Scholarship Fund or to apply for a camp scholarship contact Lou Perno, Executive Director at 203-378-2606, Ext. 103 or lperno@sterlinghousecc.org

For information about camp registration please call Sterling House at 203-378-2606.

Sterling House Receives Grant from AT&T February 17th, 2012

State Representative Laura Hoydick (R-120) joined Kelly Wade Bettuchi from AT&T and Louis Perno, Executive Director of Sterling House Community Center to receive a $10,000 grant for their Youth in the Community (YIC) Program from AT&T last week.

The YIC program provides knowledge to Stratford youth about volunteering and refers youth to various volunteer experiences within the Greater Bridgeport Area. YIC can be viewed as a clearing house which collects and maintains information about regional agencies and disseminates information to youth to help them find a meaningful and rewarding volunteer experience.

“This is an extremely generous grant from the good people at AT&T and their support will go a long way toward the goal of providing important services to youth from the Stratford region,” said Rep. Hoydick, a long-time supporter and volunteer for Sterling House. “Sterling House is a tremendous resource to the youth of our community and provides the kind of learning and growing experiences that vital to allowing these children to develop into well-rounded and productive adults.”

“Sterling House is so pleased to receive the grant from AT&T which will strengthen our capacity to link more youth with volunteer and career experiences,” said Louis Perno, Executive Director of Sterling House Community Center.

“We commend Representative Hoydick for her strong commitment to assist Sterling House community center, and specifically those students who may discover the value of entrepreneurship and community service because of this effective program,” said Kelly Wade Bettuchi of AT&T Connecticut. “When we learned from Representative Hoydick about the need for funds for this valuable program, we were happy to add our support.”

Through Sterling House’s YIC Program, all youth, especially those in high school, are encouraged to volunteer throughout the region in a venue of their choosing. For example students interested in the medical field, are connected to a variety of opportunities with local area hospitals, nursing and assisted living centers.

The volunteer gives of their time to help an agency or non-profit and experiences working in the field. The students are taught how to interview and present themselves while volunteering, how to document their volunteer hours for college transcripts and for employment purposes.

In addition, youth are taught how to use volunteer letters of recommendation to build a resume and also make use of their letters for applications relating to jobs or post-secondary education. The YIC Program is the only program of this kind in Stratford and Greater Bridgeport and began in 1994 with a grant from the AmeriCorps program. For more information about the Youth In The Community Program at Sterling House contact Bob Wargo, Director of Volunteer Services at 203-378-2606, Ext. 113 or rwargo@sterlinghousecc.org

Ways to Contribute to Sterling House February 16th, 2012

Online Giving
Sterling House Community Center offers anyone to contribute by using our “donate” button online.

Credit Card Gifts
You can use your MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express card to make your gift, and take full advantage of your card member benefits.

Outright Gifts
Checks should be made payable to the “Sterling House Community Center” and sent directly to: Sterling House Community Center, 2283 Main St., Stratford, CT. 06615

Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)
This can be arranged through your bank.

Gifts of Securities
A gift of appreciated stock is an easy way to make a significant contribution at a reduced cost to you. Please note: If you are making a gift to Sterling House in the form of stock securities, please make sure you complete and return a donor transfer form so your gift is properly credited to your account. Forms and instructions are usually available through your bank or investment company.
In-Kind Contributions
You can support Sterling House by providing in-kind services, supplies or equipment. Please contact Diane Sheridan, Director of Community Development for more information: dsheridan@sterlinghousecc.org

Matching Gifts
Does Your Company Have a Matching Gift Program?
Matching Gifts May Double or Triple Your Appeal Donation!

Matching Gifts can be a great way to double or even triple your gift Sterling House. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. Some companies even match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses!

Step One Contact your Human Resource or Benefits Department to find out if your company has a company Matching Gift Program.

Step Two Learn how your company’s Matching Gift Program works. Does your company require a minimum donation amount? Will they match 1:1? You can turn a $25 donation into $50! If your company qualifies, please make your gift payment payable to Sterling House.

Step Three Find out how your company wants you to submit your matching gift. Companies have various methods by which you can submit your matching gift request: online forms, automated phone systems, or a paper form that you submit to Sterling House when you turn in your donation.

Step Four Fill out your matching gift application and return with your donation and pledge card by mail.

The advantages of using matching gifts are:
• You can double or triple your support to Sterling House.
• You help Sterling House carry out its mission providing social, educational and recreational services to over 12,000 children, teenagers and adults yearly.
Please call 203-378-2606 or email Diane Sheridan, Director of Community Development at dsheridan@sterlinghousecc.org or Lou Perno, Executive Director at lperno@sterlinghousecc.org if you have questions or need assistance.

Companies that Match

Abbey National Employee
Services Inc.
ACE Charitable Foundation Matching Gifts Program
Advanced Technology Materials, Inc. (ATMI)
AES Corporation
Allianz of America, Inc.
Alliance Bernstein
All State Annual Giving
Campaign Matching Gifts
Alpha Medical Group LLC
Altria Employee Involvement Programs
American Express Gift Matching Program
American International Group, Inc. (AIG)
Amica Companies Foundation
Andor Capital
Applera Corporation
Arch Chemicals, Inc.
Arthur J. Gallagher Foundation
Assured Guaranty Matching Gifts Program
Aventis Pharmaceuticals
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
Avon Foundation Matching
Gifts Program
AXA Foundation
Bank of America Matching Gifts
Bank of New York Mellon
Barclays Global Investor
Barnes Group, Inc.
Bayer Health Care
Becton Dickinson
Benenson Capital Partners, LLC
Benjamin Moore & Company
Black Rock
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Matching Gift Program
Building Materials Holding Corporation (BMHC)
Caxton Foundation
Charles Schwab Corporate Foundation
Chevron Humankind
Cigna Matching Gifts Program
Citi Foundation
Citizens Financial Group
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Compass Group Management, LLC
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Covidien Employee Matching Gift Program
Crompton Corporation
CRT Capital Group LLCCTC Matching Gift Program
Cytec Industries
D. L. Ryan Companies LTD.
Dannon Company Matching
Gift Program
Deutsche Bank Americas
Foundation
Endurance Matching
Gift Program
Energizer Matching
Gifts Program
ExxonMobil Foundation
FactSet Research Systems
Fidelity Investments
FM Global Foundation
Follett Matching Gift Program
Fremont Group
Future US
Gannett Foundation
Gartner, Inc.
General Electric Foundation (GE)
General Reinsurance Matching Gift Program (Gen Re)
Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Gillette Matching Gifts Program
Givaudan
GlaxoJames H. Napier Foundation
Jeffries & Company
John Hancock
JPMorgan Chase Foundation
Lexis Nexis
Liberty Mutual
Liz Claiborne
Kraft Foods Foundation
Matching Gifts Program
Lone Pine Foundation Inc.
Macquarie Bank
Macy’s Foundation Matching Gift Program
MasterCard Matching
Gift Program
Maverick
MBIA Foundation, Inc.
McGraw Hill
MeadWestvaco Foundation Matching Gifts to Education
Merck
Meredith Corporation Foundation
Merrill Lynch Matching
Gifts Program
Microsoft Giving Campaign
Microsoft Matching
Gifts Program
Moody’s Foundation Matching Gift Program
Mutual of America
Nationwide Foundation
New Alliance Foundation, Inc.
Newgate Capital Management LLCPPG Industries Foundation
Pratt and Whitney
Praxair Matching Gifts Program
Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts Program
Quest Diagnostics Matching
Gift Program
Rayonier, Inc.
RBS Greenwich Capital
Reader’s Digest Foundation Matching Gift Program
Reuters

Senior Care Management LLC
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
State Street
Sterling-Rice Group
Sun Microsystems
Survey Sampling International
Syncora Guarantee Services Inc.
Tauck World of Giving
TDK U.S.A. Corporation
Terex Matching Gift Program
Texaco, Inc.
Thomson Reuters Foundation
Time Warner, Inc.
Tiffany & Co. Matching
Gift Program
Towers Watson (Perrin)
Transatlantic Reinsurance Company
Tyco Employee Matching
Gift Program
UBS Employee Giving Programs
Unilever Matching Gifts Program
United Illuminating
United Technologies (UTC) Matching Gift Program
UPS
USTraditions Matching
Gift Program (UST)
Verizon Foundation
Vivendi Universal
Wachovia Foundation
Matching Gifts Program
Warnaco Foundation
Matching Gift Program
Washington Mutual
Matching Gift Program
Weeden & Company
Wells Fargo Educational
Matching Gift Program
XL America Matching
Gift Program
Foundation Matching
Gifts Program
Diageo North America
Doty Family Foundation
Dun & Bradstreet
Eastern Bank
Eaton Vance
Eli Lilly and Company
Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation
Ryan Partnership
Sarah Lee Foundation
SBC Foundation

Women’s Self Defense Class February 1st, 2012

Looking for a Women’s Self Defense Class for the New Year? USA Seishin Karate has classes! Call now to get started! Classes are filling up FAST!

For more information, visit their website.

Sports Online Registration January 4th, 2012

Looking for something to do? We’ve got some ideas…

-Spring Youth Soccer League
-Indoor Youth Flag-Football League
-Indoor Instructional Soccer

Register at Sterling House OR Online