Here at Stepping Forward Counseling Center, we value your thoughts and experiences with our programs. Please feel free to email us with any comments you may have with our programs at steppingforwardcounseling@msn.com.
Below are thank you letters that we received from very grateful parents. Enjoy reading these sentimental thoughts that attribute to the fact that the Stepping Forward Counseling Center method truly works!
Dear Anne,
Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for having my children with a person like you all summer! You have worked so hard with both CJ + Jack. I am very thankful I found Stepping Forward. It has been a real blessing! The improvements in CJ + Jack this summer are remarkable - both have grown so much! A peaceful home is finally within arms reach thanks to you and your staff.
Lots of Love
We will miss you!
Hi There,
I want to thank you guys so much for your help with Luke this summer! While I was so hesitant in my last minute change and his commute down from Rockaway, NJ - my husband and I both feel in our hearts this was the right choice. The role models you have, especially the males have been excellent for Luke! My husband and I can talk and try till we are blue in the face, but he truly watches and wants to be like all of your counselors...the intensity of the program was good for him...while not perfect he may think more about his decisions!
Just a note to thank all of you for working with Brayden again this summer. We will miss you!!!
See you again next year!!
Love
Dear Christine, Susan, Anne, Dr. Berman, Anthony, Dr. O and ALL the Amazing SFFC Counselors,
Thanks to each and every one of you, it has been a second fantastic summer experience for Michael! Words cannot express our appreciation and how much we love the SFCC program and its caring and dedicated employees.
Michael has developed new friendships, bonded with counselors, worked hard each day on his individual goals; and most importantly - he had fun!! What I love the most about the program is that the children are involved in typical camp activities, but all day long there is intense focus on supporting the individual needs of each child.
Speaking as a parent of a child with needs, there is constant worry and concern on how to best address his needs in a safe environment but also the desire to have him participate in activities that children typically do throughout the summer. Stepping Forward Camp has successfully accomplished this. To name just a few, Michael loved swimming regularly, Carnival Day, the art projects and going on the exciting field trips. He can name every field trip that was taken because each trip was so memorable. We could not ask for more than what each and every one of you has done. Thank you for helping to make such a positive difference in Michael's and our lives. It has been a great summer!
Dear Dr. Kandel, Christine, Susan, Anthony, Dr. Osmanova, and to All SFCC Counselors -
Thank you for making Michael's summer camp experience at SFCC so rewarding. Your energy and enthusiasm, teaching by example, positive attitudes, and all of your individual talents made this program fantastic! You were all great role models for the children and should be proud of what you accomplished this summer to support the campers.
Thank you for ALL your hard work and dedication. Michael is leaving camp with happy memories that will carry for his lifetime.
We appreciate all of your efforts and wish you all the best!
I want to thank all of you not for just what you did, which was wonderful, but for the warmth and the caring you put into it. You're all very special people.
Thank You! A Client's Very Pleased Mother
To Dr. Kandel, Sara, and Counselors,
I wanted to thank all of you for working with Brayden this summer. I hope that you enjoyed the time with him as much as he liked being with you. Even though he will not admit it, Brayden had a wonderful summer. I know that he is going to really miss everyone.
The things that you have taught Brayden will help him succeed both now and in the future.
Thank you for caring so much and making such a positive difference in his life.
For all the ways you give and care, and make such a difference, thank you.
With Love, A Client's Grateful Mother
To All:
Thank you for your patience and guidance. I really appreciate knowing that my daughter was in good hands while in your care.
Thank you for believing in her and accepting Mailory for who she is.
Sincerely, A Client's Thankful Mother
Everyone at SFCC:
Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful, therapeutic, fun camp experience for Robert! He has grown so much in the past few weeks. We really appreciate all that you have done!
8/31/09 Stepping Forward Camp was a fantastic summer camp experience for our daughter. Every day she came home full of enthusiasm and bursting with language. Her focus improved as a result of carefully facilitated recreational activities. The program incorporated sports. music, drama, and crafts, as well as fun-filled excursions. Social interactions and expressions were encouraged and guided in a friendly, creative environment. The reward system reinforced positive behavior in a relaxed, upbeat manner. Christina was proud to earn her ice cream when she achieved her daily social goals. We will definitely recommend Stepping Forward Camp to other families and hope to return next year.
To Everyone at Stepping Forward, You're all real sunshine-makers!
Just a note to thank you again for a great August! Christina's social skills are noticeably gentler and she had so much fun!
Dear Christine, Thank you and bless you for being so special. We can't thank you enough for what you have done for Jenna and our family. She is doing so wonderful, virtually no signs of O.C.D. We'll be in touch. P.S. our doctor has taken her down to 30mg prozac and next month hopefully to 20mg (a far cry from the 80 mg!) We are so happy!!!
THANK YOU for HELPING NEW
OUTLOOK PIONEERS
“SPARK THE LOVE ON READING”
October 23, 2010 Ms. Christine R obertello, Co-owner
Stepping Forward LLC
Dear Christine:
Thank you for allowing New Outlook Pioneers-Penn Jersey Chapter
132 to place a donation box in your facility in support of our “Spark the
Love of Reading Project”. Your collection of school supplies and books
was included in backpacks that were distributed to children during Family
Fun & Book Distribution Events held on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at two
schools. Nearly 360 students and family
members joined us at the Sunnymead School in Hillsborough and Stillman School
in Plainfield to take part in the fund day activities.
Our volunteers worked very hard to create a super fun experience for
everyone. And, based on the feedback
that we received we did it! Families
really enjoyed spending time with each other in our exciting atmosphere. Many of the parents (along with their
children) involved themselves in the beading projects. The nine pin the tail on
the donkey games (as old as they are) were a huge hit – even for some of the
older children who came with their younger siblings. Two students read the book “Atalata” during
our story time session. The food
selections were plentiful at both sites and everyone seemed to like the choices
very much. Best of all, every student
walked away with a “stuffed” backpack filled with all required school supplies,
and a great book to read at home.
Overall it was a great day – and STEPPING FORWARD-- YOU HELPED! Again we say Thank You to you and all of your
constituents and clients who made a contribution!
In our initial request we noted that we purchased 1,000
backpacks. FYI, Children at the Oliver
Street School in Newark, as well as students in Red Bank, Toms River, Neptune, and
Lakewood also received the backpacks and books at similar events.
Interested in volunteer opportunities for your employees? Learn about upcoming New Outlook Pioneers
projects at https://pals.pioneersvolunteer.org/VM/index.aspx
or better yet, join as a New Outlook Pioneers member by contacting
me at 908-369-1152. Everyone is invited
to become a Pioneer! New Outlook Pioneers is part of the world’s largest industry-related
organization of volunteers. Founded in
1911, and comprised of more than 620,000 active employed and retired telecommunications
employees. Pioneers are committed to serving our
communities in the United States, Canada and beyond through volunteer service.
As long as there’s a need, no matter how large or small, Pioneers answer the
call for help in every way imaginable.
Sincerely,
Pat Fields Council Vice President
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Dear Susan, Christine, Dr. Kandel, Laura and staff:
Please forgive this impersonal email, but we just
wanted to thank you for all you've done to help Elizabeth this fall.
She's been much more socially engaged when we see her with other
children, and is in general positive and happy about school. We are
thankful that you are in her life, and we so appreciate your skill and
care for her. We wish you and yours a very
Happy
and Healthy Thanksgiving.
-Very Happy Parents
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Dear Susan, Christine, Dr. Kandel, Laura
and staff:
Please forgive this impersonal email,
but we just wanted to thank you for all you've done to help our daughter this fall.
She's been much more socially engaged when we see her with other children, and
is in general positive and happy about school. We are thankful that
you are in her life, and we so appreciate your skill and care for her. We
wish you and yours a very
Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving.
-Two Very Grateful Parents
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Good Morning
Christine,
We would like to say THANK YOU to you for your help in
receiving this generous & caring gift from the Watchung Hills Youth
Benevolent Association...Without your recommending us this could not have
happened...Just when you think that things are getting so bad someone
steps up and shows just how wonderful some people can be...This will help
us tremendously...Thank you for being you!!! Have a Wonderful Merry
Christmas with your family!!! Ours is much better now for what you all
have done!!! Just for the thought that someone out their cares so much
about others makes me so happy inside & out...
Thank
You!
To All the Wonderful People Involved,
I'm sorry it has taken me so long to write this. I had some issues to handle after the Holiday - with that said, I could no let another day go by without writing this. My family and I knew the holiday would be difficult this year but thanks to your generous gift cards it was wonderful. We will never forget what you did for us. We hope you had a nice holiday season and we wish you a New Year of heath, happiness and joy!
Much Thanks Again
Dear Staff,
We would like to thank everyone involved with Olivia at summer camp for their hard work and enthusiasm.
We have seen our daughter become more and more independent and confident as each week passes.
Olivia has always been afraid to go up to her bedroom at night alone. Two days ago, she conquered this fear and I found her asleep in her big fuzzy chair in her pajamas ready for bed...This was a BIG deal for LIV.
On anthoner ocassion, I found a note by Olivia, written while I was in the shower, "Mom, Shanoz called you for your Wed. appointment." She actually answered the phone and took the initiative to write down the message. From a girl who refuses to answer the phone.....we were shocked!
We wanted to let all of you know that the program is helping our daughter. You are helping Olivia become a confident young lady more than you can imagine......and even more her HEART is HAPPY!
With sincere gratitude! Two Grateful Parents
Special thanks to Holly and Mary......Olivia talks of you often....you are special to her!
Dear Christine,
We all want to thank you so much for the generous donation you made to NFSB. Your support of the Bureau is deeply appreciated by the Board, the staff, as well as the numerous families we are able to help. Your gift will enable us to continue our services to our community. Families helping families.
We hope that the space and our agency was helpful and that your camp was a success. We heard good responses and did receive a few referrals.
Please stay in touch and call me with any feedback you may have.
Thank you again.
Very Truly Yours, Felicia Gardner, MSW. LCSW Director