Long-time United Way volunteer leaders, Mr. Yudain and Mrs. Warburg,
presented Alvord awards at the 75th anniversary gala. Left-right: Shari Shapiro
of Kids in Crisis , Sherry Perlstein of the Child Guidance Center, Bernie Yudain,
Joan Warburg, Bob Arnold of Family Centers, Frank Corvino of Greenwich Hospital.

May 1, 2009 — The United Way of Greenwich recognized four local non-profit agency leaders with its Helen Alvord Award for Excellence in Humancare Services on April 25th during the United Way's 75th Anniversary celebration "Ignite the Night" at Greenwich Country Club.

For their extensive contributions to the human service field, Bob Arnold of Family Centers, Frank Corvino of Greenwich Hospital, Sherry Perlstein of the Child Guidance Center, and Shari Shapiro of Kids in Crisis received the Alvord Award established in 1985 and named for Ms. Alvord who was the first Executive Director of the Greenwich Community Chest and Council.

Making the presentations along with United Way President Stuart Adelberg were two longtime and most esteemed United Way volunteers and supporters: Joan Warburg and Bernie Yudain. Joan Warburg is a former United Way Campaign Chair, and Mr. Yudain spearheaded public relations for many years — including inaugurating the cherished United Way Block Party in the 1970s. Along with Thomas R. Shepard, Board Chairman in the 1960s, they initiated the Alvord Award as a means of honoring its namesake and recognizing those who emulate her dedication, professionalism and commitment to helping others.

Mr. Adelberg explained that the awards are a fitting formal acknowledgment of "four long serving professionals who have consistently led their respective organizations to new heights, while always remaining both responsive to changing community needs and dedicated to compassionate services of the highest quality."

Bob Arnold, President &CEO of Family Centers, has led the agency through six mergers and acquisitions in the past fourteen years creating a responsive and evolving agency that assists over 20,000 children and adults each year, empowering them to realize their potential. Bob works with numerous community groups, businesses, foundations and individuals whose philanthropic goals are met through the work of Family Centers. Bob is a past chairman of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies, and a recipient of the Greenwich Bar Association's Liberty Bell Award and the Volunteer Center of Southwestern Connecticut's Betsy Rich Award.

Frank Corvino celebrated his 20th anniversary at Greenwich Hospital in 2008, as president and chief executive officer since 1991; and senior vice president and chief operating officer prior to that. He is also executive vice president of the Yale New Haven Health System. Under his leadership, the Hospital has experienced unprecedented growth, including the opening of the Helmsley Medical Building and the Olive and Thomas J. Watson Pavilion. He has spearheaded the introduction of several clinical community programs in the community, ranging from the Breast Care Center, Endoscopy Center to expanded maternity, pediatric and geriatric services, and the Center for Integrative Medicine.

Sherry Perlstein, Executive Director of the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut for the past 23 years, has developed new programs to meet changing community needs, including 24-hour emergency mobile crisis services, an intensive in-home therapy program, and an interagency Child Sexual Abuse Response Team. Perlstein, a widely recognized expert on children's mental health services and policy, was the founding chairwoman of the Connecticut State Youth Suicide Advisory Board, and, appointed in 2006 by State Representative Lile Gibbons, continues to serve on the State's Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council.

Shari L. Shapiro, Executive Director of Kids in Crisis, joined the agency in 1980 as Assistant Director. She is actively involved with many local, state and regional organizations including the National Network of Runaway and Youth Services, New England Network for Child, Youth and Family Services, Stamford Youth Services Bureau, Greenwich Youth Services Council, Child Protection Team, the Not-for-Profit Partnership Council, and Connecticut Association of Nonprofits. For her exemplary leadership efforts on behalf of children in crisis, Shari has received the "Voice for Children and Youth Award" from the New England Network for Child, Youth and Family Services.

"From the information that has been passed on from those who knew and worked with Helen Alvord, she found the heart of Greenwich in the darkest days of the depression and through the Community Chest and Council she kept it beating for nearly a half century", Mr. Adelberg explained. In 1978 the name Community Chest and Council was changed to the United Way. During his introduction he acknowledged former Executive Directors including Patsy Fogarty, who was present, Frank Watson, Patricia Magnusson Higgins, and Donald P. Kazmaier.

Family Centers, Greenwich Hospital, the Child Guidance Center, and Kids in Crisis are United Way partner agencies.

Contact: Susan Ferris
Email: sferris@unitedway-greenwich.com
Phone: 203.869.2221