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Dawn Evans Greenberg

About Dawn Evans Greenberg

Dawn Greenberg is the executive director and founder of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival which will be celebrating its ninth year. She is a 22 year resident of New Castle. She has a junior at Horace Greeley High School and a sophomore at Manhattanville College.

Jamie Dyce and Pajama Program will Link Stories and Sleep at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival on October 15

September 28, 2022 by Dawn Evans Greenberg

Dawn Evans Greenberg, founder and director of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival–being held this year on Saturday, October 15th–interviewed Jamie Dyce, whose family recently moved from Brooklyn to Chappaqua, about her much celebrated not for profit PAJAMA PROGRAM, which will have a booth at this year’s 9th annual festival!

Jamie Dyce, Executive Director, PAJAMA PROGRAM

Dawn: Tell us about Pajama Program and how the mission has evolved over the years.

Jamie: Pajama Program was established in 2001 by our Founder, Genevieve Piturro. While reading to children in shelters in New York City, Genevieve encountered many children who did not have pajamas. Determined to make change, she collected pajamas from her family and friends and delivered them to the children herself. Her initiative grew into a nationwide effort to provide pajamas to children who didn’t have them.

When we began, we had one main program which was to deliver new pajamas to as many children as possible. Eventually, books were incorporated into that program as well. Over time, our work has evolved because we’ve learned so much from our community partners (other nonprofits) about what the children in their care need when it comes to supporting them at bedtime. When I took on the role of Executive Director, our mission shifted. My vision was to create deeper sustainable impact for children by focusing on programming for the adults in their lives who are with them at bedtime. I thought about the adult caregivers, because children don’t put themselves to bed at night–an adult does that. What is this experience like for the adults? How can we help, and do so thoughtfully?

As it turns out, there is a lot we can do together. We still deliver new pajamas and books–which we know are great tools for a comforting bedtime routine. And I’m proud to say that in the last several years, our programs have expanded to include sleep health education for children, their parents, caregivers, and educators in an effort to ensure that children are fully supported at bedtime so that they can get the sleep they need to thrive the next day.

In the past year, despite challenges presented by the pandemic, we’ve provided 123,866 pajamas and 81,950 books to children. Through our sleep health education programs, we’ve reached more than 5,000 preschool children. In addition to reaching children, we support caregivers and parents, providing them with much-needed resources. In 2022, our training program was presented to nearly 900 parents and caregivers. We also operate two Centers; one in NYC and one in Atlanta, and a training facility, in Michigan. During the pandemic, we couldn’t offer in-person programming at our brick and mortar locations so we moved to a virtual format. Today, we are welcoming children and volunteers back to our Centers and we’ll continue to deliver programs virtually as well, reaching more children and adults around the country who otherwise wouldn’t have access to our in-person locations.

We view sleep as a human right and as a social justice issue. Sleep is as important as good nutrition and physical exercise. However, access to and awareness of the importance of sleep is not equitably distributed and can be impacted by a child’s circumstances. As we move forward, our goal is to reach more children facing adversity, particularly those children in Head Start programs, and advocate for them so that someday, every child has a Good Night for a Good Day.

Dawn:
How did you get involved?

Jamie: I was practicing law and actively volunteering at Pajama Program, bringing groups of my colleagues from the law firm to the NYC Center to share stories with children. I had also joined the board and was serving as Board chair. At the same time, I had been devoting more and more of my legal practice to pro bono representation of young girls and women who had survived commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). The average age a girl is first trafficked is 12 years old–a child. The population of children we aim to support at Pajama Program experience much of the same systemic inequities and challenges as the girls I worked with in my CSE practice; low family income, housing insecurity, family instability–all circumstances beyond their control.

My work for these two seemingly different nonprofit organizations was more aligned than I initially realized. I recognized the systemic inequalities impacting the lives of survivors of CSE and the young children who came to Pajama Program. I thought about what it meant to have a good night as a child, and why it matters. I considered the pajamas, the books, what we were learning from our community partners at Pajama Program, and how children who feel connected to someone just before they drift off to sleep, are likelier to sleep better and therefore be better equipped for what lies ahead the next day. I kept coming back to the same thought: kids just want to be kids, no matter their circumstances. And how it’s much harder for some, given the inequities of our world, and that the world I want to live in is one where no child is labeled by their circumstances; they’re simply free and equal. I came to the conclusion that children do not just deserve a good night for a good day, but they have an inherent RIGHT to a good night for a good day.

That’s when our Good Night Bill of Rights was born, and when our mission began to shift. It’s also around that time that our Founder began to pursue her new path as a motivational speaker and author, and she passed the baton to me. I have been leading the organization as Executive Director since 2017.

Dawn: What are some examples of how you operate in communities across the country?

Jamie: We use two approaches to achieve our mission with a focus on reaching children who are facing uncertainty in their lives. First, we deliver pajamas and books to children from birth through 12 by working with over 4,000 community-based organizations across the country. These include school-based programs, foster care agencies, and shelters. We also provide virtual and in-person sleep health education, reaching young children, parents, and educators with information and strategies to help make bedtime better. We offer workshops for parents, local programs for young children, and training for early care and education providers.

Dawn:
We’re excited you’ll participate in the CCBF.  What can families learn and do when they stop by your booth?

Jamie:
We look forward to participating in the CCBF! Children and families can stop by and learn about the READY® Bedtime routine and participate in one of our Storytime sessions. Our version of storytime includes not only a reading, but also a fun method to learn about bedtime routines in a way that engages young children. Joining us during our mid-day session will be one of our Good Night Advisory Council members, Dr. Rebecca Robbins. You may have seen Dr. Robbins on national television, including the Today Show, Good Morning America, and Live with Kelly and Ryan, talking about sleep health. She will be answering questions about children’s bedtime routines, and we encourage parents of children of all ages to join us for her talk!

We’ll have a limited supply of a special book authored by renowned author Tish Rabe for Pajama Program, all about bedtime routines. “Sweet Dreams Ahead, Time for Bed” will be available as a giveaway for the first 50 children to join our Storytime session. And children can say hello and take a photo with our life size teddy bear, Dreamer.

Dawn: Tell us about your family and your move to New Castle. What bedtime rituals do you do with your daughter? What are her favorite books?

Jamie: My husband Paul and I made the decision to leave Brooklyn during the pandemic. We are probably like a lot of other families who made a similar decision, and we were ready at the time, pandemic or not. We met later in our lives–though we likely crossed paths many times before we actually met. We shared a couple of mutual friends, had been to the same Pearl Jam concerts starting in 1996, and we even shared the same office building elevator bank at one point in our careers, but wouldn’t meet until much later, in 2017.

We started a family after we got married and our daughter Adriana brings us so much joy. The decision to move to New Castle was simple! When I describe our new life to friends, I tell them that it feels like we are someplace special, like a town you’d visit as an escape. It’s not your ordinary suburb, and I feel closer to my roots than I’ve felt in decades. I grew up in a closeknit community in the suburbs of Buffalo, and I didn’t realize how much I’d yearned for that for our family until we moved. I’ve fallen in love with the sense of community here. Our neighbors have been incredibly welcoming, and we try to explore the area as much as possible. Adriana is nearly 2 years old and seeing her grow up against the backdrop of Millwood and Chappaqua is more than I could ever ask for. She’s a huge fan of World Cup, the town playground near the train station, and of course, Gedney, near us in Millwood.

One big difference for us here when compared to Williamsburg is nighttime. It’s definitely much quieter, which took some getting used to. I love hearing the sounds of nature and being able to see the stars at night, which really add to the feel of a comforting bedtime routine when it’s time for Adriana to go to sleep. We have our bedtime ritual every night. It starts with a bath, brushing teeth, saying good night to her favorite stuffed animal friends and Daddy, and then we get to my favorite part–cuddling up together to read stories before a final kiss and lullaby good night. I am definitely not a singer, but I appreciate that Adriana is probably the only person in the world who finds comfort in my singing voice!

As for our favorite bedtime stories, it’s hard to narrow it down. Currently, she adores “Tuck Me In” by Dean Hacohen. As luck would have it, Dean will be at the Festival, so Adriana and I will be fangirling at his booth. She also loves her City Block book and anything featuring penguins, especially stories by Sandra Boynton.

For more information about Pajama Program, please visit us at www.pajamaprogram.org and be sure to stop by our booth at the Festival!

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, PAJAMA PROGRAM

Notes of Deep Gratitude

September 22, 2022 by Dawn Evans Greenberg

From the Founder and Director of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

Have you ever had the feeling of teetering but somehow knowing that a safety net was beneath you, ready to make sure you didn’t hit the ground?

This was the disorienting but ultimately comforting feeling I had in March and April of this year. I was hospitalized and in intensive care and yet knew that my friends and community would take care of me and my boys…and somehow make sure the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival would go on.

Dawn Evans Greenberg. Dawn’s Hair and Makeup Courtesy of Aura Salon and Style Bar in Chappaqua. www.auraboutiquesalon.com Photo by Donna Mueller

I had to hand over control to my husband, Paul, and to friends, and just focus on keeping myself alive for Jackson and Ben, my teenage sons. I don’t recommend falling ill, but for a means to learn to appreciate every breath we’re allowed, becoming vulnerable that way can’t be topped.

I entered the hospital for elective surgery on February 10th. My next memory was waking up to dozens of cards taped to my hospital wall. The cards were the only thing that held my attention–the only thing that made any sense. I recognized “Ossining Children’s Center” and read the message over and over again. And why did author Dan Gutman feel the need to write “get better soon?”  I was flattered but also puzzled. How did he know where I was and how did he know I needed well wishes?

The date was March 1st and I had lost three weeks of my life. I had a tube coming out of my trachea. I couldn’t speak or lift my arm.

The cards and what they represented from the community ended up being a highlight of my days. My husband would drive to NYU Langone Hospital each afternoon, always with more cards. So many cards. He told me that two dear friends Karen Visser and Robin Chwatko were taking care of our kids, along with dozens of other friends jumping in to help, even coordinating walking our beloved dog Flare. Beloved merchants reached out too. The Kings’ Scribe was facilitating the cards and they never seemed to stop. I couldn’t count them all and still treasure each one. 

Each day my husband would offer me my iphone, usually my umbilical cord, and I flat out declined it–a sign of just how sick I was. But he also knew I was worried about the festival and kept me current on book festival developments. Paul assured me that our volunteers were making sure it would happen in October. As the days went by toward my discharge of April 10th, I started to feel relief and excitement about getting back to real life.

Now, we’re three weeks away from the festival. I have gradually gotten stronger and feel incredibly optimistic about the future. The love that our community showed me that my family will be with me throughout the rest of my life. I will never stop being grateful.  

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Inside Thoughts Tagged With: Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, community, Dawn Evans Greenberg, Dawn Greenberg, friends, Safety Net, Thank you, Thank you cards

Making Headway Foundation Turns 25!

November 12, 2021 by Dawn Evans Greenberg

Maya and Ed Manley.Founders, Making Headway Foundation

Chappaqua Parents on a Lifetime Mission

You may have seen Making Headway’s sign on King or you may even know that Making Headway works with kids with brain tumors, but not really understand what that means.

I was lucky enough to spend time talking with two of the founders of Making Headway and I came away enlightened and inspired. Maya and Edward Manley handled the most traumatic event of their lives–seeing their daughter through diagnosis, treatment and the aftermath of an invasive brain tumor–and turned their family’s experience into a world class foundation whose focus is care, comfort and a cure for families facing pediatric brain tumors.

Over 25 years ago, the Manley’s daughter Cynthia began exhibiting symptoms that concerned her parents. It took three years until doctors were able to diagnose a brain tumor resting on her pituitary gland. Through the surgery and long period of chemo and radiation therapy that led to Cynthia’s recovery, they were immersed in the world of brain tumor treatment and its aftermath. When Cynthia graduated HGHS and eventually Ithaca College, after two gap years in Switzerland, the Manleys, along with Clint Greenbaum, were driven to create an organization that would help provide the emotional and practical support needed by families like them.

During Cynthia’s recovery, the Manley family was lucky enough to have the full support of the Chappaqua Central School District who was able to make accommodations, send tutors to the home and provide the emotional support needed to ensure Cynthia graduated on time. The family was acutely aware that many other children did not have the advantage of a district such as ours. From this idea, the Manleys have created a foundation that provides millions of dollars in support and resources to patients and families dealing with pediatric brain tumors.

Making Headway’s goals of “care and comfort” means a team of six education advocates and 29 psychologists are available to help families work with school districts to craft and execute Individualized Education Plans for each recovering student. Mr. Manley notes that every child who experiences chemotherapy will have some sort of learning disability to address. They provide sibling help, psychological care for parents and practical support for families. They seem proudest of the play room they support at The Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at NYU Langone Medical Center. They have created a bright and cheerful area with arts and crafts, games and healthy snacks. Prior to Covid, Mrs. Manley volunteered at the center two days each week and strived every day to make the lives of families easier. As she says “We give them courage for the next day, the next week, the next month.” Making Headway also funds several positions at the hospital designed to help families, including a Neuro-Psychologist, a Care Coordinator, and a Clinical Trial Nurse. 

The other pillar of the foundation is “cure” and the Foundation has invested over $7,000,000 in research to find better treatments and novel medications. Additionally they fund the Brain Tumor Tissue Bank at NYU Medical Center which allows researchers from all over the world to have access to tumor samples taken during each surgery.

How is Cynthia Manley Now?
She is married and lives upstate with her husband. She graduated from Ithaca with a studio art degree. Her work and ideas are woven throughout the children’s center. Mrs. Manley notes that Cynthia’s first job was at ICD Jewelry where Varda Singer treated her with patience and kindness that her parents have never forgotten.

How can you help?
The year marks Making Headway Foundation’s 25th anniversary serving children with a brain or spinal cord tumor. The need to help these children is greater than ever before, with mental health challenges that are compounded by the impact of COVID.  Mrs. Manley also notes that the holidays can be particularly difficult for families dealing with an uncertain future. If you live in Chappaqua and want to learn more, feel free to stop by their office at 115 King Street. And if you want to directly help local families that have a child with a brain or spinal cord tumor, please visit MakingHeadway.org and click on donate.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Ed and Maya Manley, Making Headway Foundation, Pediatric Cancer

All About the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival on October 14!

August 30, 2017 by Dawn Evans Greenberg

Notes from the Festival’s Founder!

For one glorious day each fall, authors, readers and their families flock to downtown Chappaqua for the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (CCBF). Founded by a group of volunteers in 2013, the festival is now considered the preeminent children’s book festival in the tri-state area.

More than 90 children’s book authors and illustrators from as far away as Maryland fill the daylong festival with laughter, excitement and fun for children of all ages. Authors take the time for conversation and inspiration, to demonstrate the art of illustration and to read aloud favorite books in the adjacent St. Mary the Virgin’s garden. Attendees can expect festival favorites such as Rosemary Wells and Jane Yolen to return plus new authors such as Betsy and Ted Lewin and Roxie Munro.

Illustration by Sujean Rim

Families can find additional activities from book making to balloon animals to a Gaga pit in the family fun area. Food trucks and the Great Chappaqua Bake Sale provide many lunch options and scrumptious dessert and treats.

Since it’s inception The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale has raised more than $130,000 for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign and has connected children with more than 1.3 million meals. “It’s hard to believe this will be our eighth year working to raise monies to fund school and summer meals programs for kids in New York State. The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale community of supporters and volunteers make this event successful each year and we are particularly inspired by the many children who devote their time and passion to helping children in need,” noted Alison Spiegel, one of the Bake Sale founders.

A portion of the proceeds from the CCBF go to JCY-WCP literacy programs in schools throughout Westchester. The fifth annual CCBF is on Saturday, October 14th, from 10-4 pm. Admission is free. Cash and credit cards are accepted for book and food purchases. Free parking all day available at the nearby Chappaqua Metro-North train station.

For information on sponsorship and volunteering, visit www.ccbfestival.org or visit us on Facebook at Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.

This Just In…New Not to Be Missed Authors


Betsy and Ted Lewin – Author and/or Illustrator of almost 200 children’s books plus recipients of numerous awards including the Caldecott Honor Book Medal and the NY Times Best Illustrated Award


Julie Fogliano – Author of beloved books including When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons and Old Dog Baby Baby


Roxie Munro – Author/Illustrator of more than 40 nonfiction and concept books for children using “gamification” to encourage reading, learning and engagement; NY Times Best Illustrated Award recipient


Stephen Savage – Author and Illustrator of 9 books for children, including the NY Times bestselling picture book Polar Bear Night, written by Lauren Thompson and creator of the Where’s Walrus? books, Supertruck and Little Tug

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: books, Chappaqua, children, Children's Book Authors, Dawn Evans Greenberg, Event, festival, New Authors, New Castle, The Chappaqua Children's Book Festival

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