Bringing “April” to June and July

Kristi McClatchy during Neighborhood Centers field trip

I am the daughter of a preacher and a coach. It’s little wonder that my childhood summers were devoted to sports camps and vacation Bible school.  I recall one vacation Bible school I attended in Orlando, Florida when I was 9-years-old; it was the ultimate Bible school experience. The camp was located in a five star hotel with pool-side devotionals, catered meals, and a full day at Disney World. These were events that we believe children dream of having. Interestingly enough, I have almost no recollection of such “impressionable” events.  I have a vague memory of seeing Cinderella’s castle, but that’s about it. What I remember most about this Bible school was the time I spent with my counselor.  Her name was April, and she had three major interests: staring at the male chaperones, talking about how “dreamy” the male chaperones were and hanging out with me.

April made me feel like I was the coolest kid on the face of the planet. She had a genuine interest in who I was. I vividly remember her introducing herself to me the first day of camp. She shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and told me that she was so excited that I had decided to come to the camp. Throughout the week she took extra time to make sure I felt comfortable and included – I was incredibly shy. Looking back, I realize that she coached me through several social interactions with my peers. Without her help, I honestly doubt I would have made as many friends as I did.

Neighborhood Centers 2011 Summer Youth Enrichment Program

On the last day of Bible school, April gave me a letter telling me that I could do anything, that I was special, and that I was of great value. It is a letter I still have to this day. She was one of the first grownups in my life other than my parents or my teachers who took the time to get to know me.  She made an everlasting impression on the person I am today.

Now I am working at the Center for Children and Families, Inc.(CCFI) Neighborhood Centers’ program. As we begin our Summer Youth Enrichment Program this week, I find myself often thinking, “We have to take the children to the Natural History Museum because Sam loves dinosaurs,” or “I need to schedule a rock climbing trip because Trey asked to go again this Summer.” Sometimes I feel myself primarily focusing on providing the children I serve with the most fantastic field trips, the most delicious and nutritious food, and the most educational opportunities.

Indeed, most of the children I serve have had limited experiences such as these.  We all want nothing but the absolute best for the children in Neighborhood Centers. They are so precious.  They deserve to have the same wonderful opportunities I, and most others, had growing up. However, while I recognize these types of experiences are central to enriching the lives of children, I hope that I never lose sight of how significant building a positive relationship really is.

I only hope that I will be some child’s April during the course of our Summer Youth Enrichment Program.

- Kristi McClatchy, Neighborhood Centers AmeriCorps Member

What I've learned from volunteering

Mollie pictured on right

I began volunteering for the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI) just a few short months ago, and oh has it been a ride! I came into the children’s play group on Tuesday night’s not having a clue what to expect. I was a little apprehensive, but felt immediately comfortable when I met the other volunteers. Everyone was so nice and seemed genuinely passionate about what they were doing. That is when I knew CCFI was special.

I quickly learned that CCFI is an organization that cares so fervently about making a real difference in the community. The entire staff and volunteers love what they do, and it reads so clearly in the manner with which they go about their work. Having the opportunity to contribute just a small portion of my time to the unique mission of CCFI has really humbled me.

I love watching how excited the kiddos are to see us every Tuesday night, and how equally excited we are to see them. These kids remember us and depend on us to be there, and that is why I keep coming back. I know that just the little amount of time I spend with them each week helps bring stability and consistency into their lives, which is something I can be proud of. I learn as much from these kids as I hope they learn from me, and I will continue to volunteer with CCFI for as long as I am able.

I am more than honored to be part of this special organization, and to help support their compassionate mission to improve the lives of children. I feel extremely blessed to have stumbled across CCFI because of the perspective it has brought to my life. 

I encourage every person to support the mission of CCFI in any way that they can. I have no doubt it will enrich and touch your life in the way that it has done so to mine.

Mollie Rischard 

CCFI Children's Group Volunteer

10 Compliments Kids Need to Hear

Children look to adults for encouragement and compliments go a long way in giving kids the boost they need, especially during adolescent years.

1. Compliment their character.
We live in a world where integrity is neither consistently taught nor widely expected. When children and youth demonstrate honesty, kindness, trustworthiness and reliability, that’s a great time to take them aside and offer a sincere compliment.

2. Compliment obedience and respect.
It’s too easy to fall into patterns of disapproval, where the only time we notice is when kids do wrong. Rather than waiting for disobedience or disrespect (then coming down like a ton of bricks) try noticing obedience and respect: “You are an awesome young man, and I appreciate the way you are behaving”.


3. Compliment them for simply being part of the family and/or group.
“Every time I see you, I’m thankful that I’m your Mom.” Kids need to understand that they are valued simply because they are.


4. Compliment contributions
“Clearing the table (sweeping the porch… putting out the trash) makes a real difference. I appreciate your contribution.” Kids need to understand that what they do makes a difference, that the adults notice, and that pitching in is a good part of togetherness.


5. Compliment the quality of their work.
“Way to go!  I’m so glad you take this job so seriously, it shows.” Doing a job at a high standard is always worth noting.


6. Compliment the effort, even when the result is not the best.
“Your willingness to help makes me happy! Now we need to take a look at how you can get the trash to the curb without leaving a trail.” Compliments can be an important part of our role as role models and mentors.


7. Compliment when they achieve something new.
“Wow! That’s a huge leap forward for you there in math, pal.” “Awesome! I’m not at all surprised after you worked so hard.” A well-placed compliment can keep a positive ball rolling.


8. Compliment their sense of style even if we don’t exactly share their taste.
Encourage individuality. “When it comes to putting together an outfit, you certainly have some flair!” “I’ve never seen a table set quite like that before – you have an amazing imagination!” It’s not useful to limit compliments to the narrow range of our own taste.


9. Compliment steps toward a long-term goal.
“The improvement you’re showing is commendable. Thanks for trying.” Waiting for perfection before we’re willing to dish out a compliment is inefficient, may dampen enthusiasm, and does little to help the process of growth.

10. Compliment their friends.
But only do this when you can do it honestly! “Your friends are the greatest!” “That Jake is such a good kid.”

Laura & Kayleigh: Girl Power Members

Photographers Kayleigh and Laura Talk about their experience with the Girl Power PhotoVoice Project

With the Girl Power PhotoVoice exhibit fast approaching, the girls involved are growing more excited to share with the community their Visions of Health. As we sat down with Girl Power members Kayleigh (9th grade) and Laura (8th grade) to talk about their experience with the project, it was then that we quickly realized that these young ladies have been completely empowered by their involvement with PhotoVoice.

“I think PhotoVoice really taught these girls a new way to tell their story,” said Jessica Hutchinson, Neighborhood Centers Program Director. “Instead of using social media or texting they learned how to use photography.

“Each week we met and shared our pictures with the other 10 girls,” said Laura. “We would talk about pictures together but we were allowed to be ourselves because each picture meant something different to everyone.”

Not only did the project give the girls a social outlet with positive adult influences but it also allowed them to learn more about themselves and gave them a voice.

“I hope to someday work in public service for a career and do what Jessica does,” said Kayleigh. “I mean, you see things like world hunger and it doesn’t seem like anyone is doing anything- I want to do something.”

And she will be this Friday, not only will Kayleigh and Laura talk at the event but they will be honored with ten of their peers by Mayor Cindy Rosenthal during the exhibit.

We hope you will join us this Friday, August 26th from 5-7p.m. at the University of Oklahoma Zarrow Hall.

More information about PhotoVoice»

The University of Oklahoma

Zarrow Hall Community Room

700 Elm Ave. |  Norman, OK

A second exhibit will be on September 9th, 6-10 p.m.:

Studio 360

109 N. Crawford  |  Norman, OK

In conjunction with the Norman Art Council's 2nd Friday Art Circuit.

For more information about PhotoVoice Project or Exhibit please contact Stacy Hawthorne at shawthorne@ccfinorman.org or call (405) 364-1420.

Photovoice support and contributions received from:
University of Oklahoma School of Medicine-Tulsa, Knee Center for Strong Families, Krystyn Bramlett, Gigi’s Cupcakes, Irving Middle School, Norman Arts Council, Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Paul Mitchell Hair Salon, Chris Porter, and Sonic Drive In.

Behind the Scenes

 "It's been nearly 8 years since the name Center for Children and Families, Inc. was first mentioned to us. We were initially approached about making a video for a fundraising luncheon. CCFI was using a new fundraising model and the video was a cornerstone of this new approach. Always up for a new creative opportunity, we said "sure, we'll help" and thus opened the door for a wonderful relationship and opened our eyes to some real and sobering realities.

It would be impossible to help tell the story of CCFI without getting to know the staff and the people they serve intimately. Over the years we have gotten to know and love the people who make CCFI wonderful. These people have demonstrated amazing levels of compassion and commitment to healing and preventing the hurts that so many children and families experience in our community.

We've also heard stories that have brought us to tears and inspired us to action beyond our work on the video. We've helped revitalize the play therapy rooms and served as table captains at the luncheon and done what we can to be ambassadors for CCFI and its amazing mission.

It would also be impossible to tell the CCFI story without featuring children in the videos we've created. To fill those roles, we turned to our own kids and the kids of our friends. It's not easy to see a child that you love on the big screen accompanied by statistics of the tragedies that other children actually experience. It brings home the reality that real kids are suffering in horrible ways right here in our community. Those kids deserve to grow up like our kids: safe, nurtured and loved. How could we not give what we can to make that a reality?

Working with CCFI is life-changing for us. It inspires us to be better parents ourselves, it motivates us to take action and it makes us proud that we've partnered with such a worthwhile organization."


-Krystyn Bramlett and Leslie Wiggins Christopher
Bramlett and Associates Multimedia


A Very Special Place, produced by Bramlett and Associates Multimedia:

CCFI Benefit Parties!