At WCS, we’re all about doing whatever it takes to help kids thrive and support families in our community. We offer a wide range of services, from outpatient mental health care and foster care to a parenting center, therapeutic boarding, teen shelters, a special education school, summer camp, and even a farm where rescued animals connect with and help heal children.

One of our favorite ways to raise funds for these programs is our annual “Bring Your Mojo” Golf Tournament—and this year we celebrated its 15th anniversary!

On September 18th, the Great Neck Country Club in Waterford hosted a full house of 140 golfers. The weather was perfect, the energy was high, and everyone enjoyed a full day on the course. The day ended with exciting prizes and auction items along with a fantastic steak and lobster dinner.

The tournament honors Gary Saunders, one of WCS’s founding family members, who passed away on January 27, 2011. Gary was deeply committed to our mission, and this event celebrates the lasting impact he has had on so many lives. Since its inception, the tournament has raised over $1 million to support our programs.

We are grateful to our amazing community of golfers, donors, sponsors, and volunteers. Your support makes a real difference for the kids and families we serve.

Thank you for helping us keep the Mojo going!

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When youth experience crisis, everything in their world can feel uncertain. Many have lived through loss, trauma, and sudden changes that would overwhelm even the strongest adult. In those moments, Intensive Therapeutic Transitional Care (ITTC) offers a safe harbor — a place where kids can recover and feel safe.

This fall, Connecticut will open two new short-term ITTC treatment centers located at Waterford Country School — one for girls and one for boys, each with six beds — as part of a statewide effort to improve emergency placement for teenagers in the child welfare system. This new program will add to WCS’s existing child welfare programs.

ITTC programs offer comprehensive clinical support with a strong focus on stabilization and transition. Youth receive 24/7 care from trained clinicians and support staff who tend to their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Staff utilize compassion, patience, and evidence-based assessments to guide each child toward a successful, safe, and stable placement.

CEO Chris Lacey describes the mission simply: “Kids are kids. They have different ages and different needs… what we’re trying to do in this child welfare system is match what the kids need when they need it.”

These short-term, intensive care centers aren’t just a pause in a child’s journey — they are a turning point. Providing stability amidst life’s uncertainties, ITTC facilitates healing while giving caregivers the insight and tools needed help kids to thrive long-term.

Waterford Country School is busy preparing to welcome youth into our new ITTC programs this fall. While we ready the spaces, we’re also building a team of skilled, compassionate professionals who want to make a difference in the lives of children in crisis. If you’re looking for meaningful work, visit the Careers page on our website to explore current openings — and join us in creating a safe, supportive place for kids to heal and grow.

https://www.waterfordcountryschool.org/careers/

Why Quality Parenting Centers Matter: Supporting Families Through Connection and Care

When a child is removed from their home due to safety concerns, it marks a difficult chapter in that family’s story. It’s a time of uncertainty, emotional upheaval, and, often, deep grief. But it can also be a time of hope, growth, and healing—especially when the right supports are in place.

That’s where Quality Parenting Centers (QPCs) come in.

QPCs are designed for families with children—primarily from birth through age 12 and their older siblings—who are involved in the child welfare system and are referred though the Department of Children and Families (DCF). These centers provide a safe, supportive, and home-like setting for family time to occur under close supervision. Whether the long-term plan is reunification, guardianship, or adoption, the goal is the same: to preserve and strengthen the bond between parent and child during a difficult time

A Different Kind of Family Time

Unlike traditional visitation settings, which can feel sterile or stressful, QPCs are intentionally welcoming. They offer parents a chance to do the everyday things that build connection: playing, reading together, cooking a meal, helping with homework. These seemingly small moments are the foundation of trust and attachment—and that matters more than ever when families are apart.

Importantly, QPCs aren’t just about providing space. They provide structure, support, and coaching to help parents build their skills and confidence. Staff are present not only to ensure safety, but to offer encouragement and observe progress.

The Positive Ripple Effect

The benefits of Quality Parenting Centers extend far beyond the visit itself. Research has shown that when parents participate in structured parenting programs like these, children often experience:

• Better behavior, including more empathy and fewer outbursts
• Stronger emotional development and better self-regulation
• Improved language and cognitive skills
• A deeper sense of security and belonging
• Even gains in school performance thanks to greater consistency and support

Parents, too, experience powerful shifts. With guidance and access to resources, they often report feeling more confident in their parenting, less overwhelmed by stress, and more hopeful about their family’s future. For many, the QPC becomes a lifeline—a place not just to visit their children, but to actively rebuild their relationship with them.

 A Win for Families and Communities

Quality Parenting Centers don’t just serve individual families—they strengthen the entire child welfare system. By promoting safe, meaningful family contact and supporting the path to permanency, these programs can help reduce the time children spend in foster care and improve long-term outcomes. When families are empowered to heal and grow together, entire communities benefit.

Waterford Country School’s QPC Program

Every child deserves connection. Every parent deserves a chance to show up, learn, and grow. And every family navigating the child welfare system deserves support that’s rooted in dignity, empathy, and hope.

WCS’s  Quality Parenting Centers in our two locations in Connecticut (Quaker Hill and North Windham) do exactly that. They remind us that even in the toughest moments, relationships can be mended—and families can move forward, together.

Want to help? WCS’s QPC program has a wish-list on Amazon. Please check it out at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2HYNX53JISVPZ?type=wishlist.

This year marks the end of an era at Waterford Country School as we celebrate the retirement of Sharon Butcher, a truly remarkable leader after more than 45 years of
dedicated service. What began as a summer job in 1979 to help pay for college turned into a lifelong calling. She started by picking up weekend and summer shifts, drawn in by the family-oriented spirit and the strong sense of community that set this school apart. Even during her college years, she would work up to 40 hours on weekends and school breaks.

In 1984, with college behind her, she intended to move on, and even gave her resignation notice. But fate-and a bit of good timing-had other plans. ThenPrincipal Ron Warner offered her a substitute teaching position to cover a maternity leave. That temporary assignment lit a spark, and she realized that Waterford Country School is where she wanted to be. She enrolled in a teacher certification program, and by 1987, she was officially part of the full-time teaching staff.

Her commitment and leadership continued to grow. In 2001, she stepped into the newly created role of Assistant Principal. Just three years later, when Jim Misenti retired, she became the Director of Education-a position she has held with wisdom, vision, and an unwavering passion for students and staff alike.

Growing up as a “military brat”, she was used to moving around. But here, at Waterford Country School, she found this family oriented, grass-roots organization felt like home. “There was a real sense of belonging with all the room to grow professionally,” she says. “So rewarding-amazing.”

Her journey is a testament to the power of purpose, the strength of community, and the impact one person can have over generations. We are grateful for her leadership, her heart, and the legacy she leaves behind.

On Saturday, June 7th, we welcomed about 115 guests to our first annual Brunch in the Barnyard, a one-of-a-kind celebration held under a tent on our beautiful pasture. With the rain holding off and even a brief appearance from the sun, the morning offered the perfect setting for a meaningful-and memorable event. 

Thanks to the generosity of local restaurants, guests enjoyed a delicious array of brunch favorites. The day was a wonderful mix of community spirit, inspiring speakers, and heartfelt connection to the mission that drives our work. We were thrilled to introduce many first-time visitors to our organization-and equally grateful to spend time with longtime friends and supporters.

We were deeply honored to have Ulysses Hammond, retired VP of Administration at Connecticut College, serve as our Honorary Chair, and Anthony Joyce, President & CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank, as our emcee. Our keynote address was delivered by Chief Lynn Malerba, Chief of the Mohegan Tribe and former U.S. Treasurer. In a thrilling and unique moment, Ulysses led a rapid-fire, three-minute auction of autographed $1 bills from Chief Malerba’s time at the U.S. Treasury-a highlight that left the crowd
energized and engaged.

Guests also had the opportunity to experience the heart of our farm firsthand. With guided walks, animal meet-and-greets, and a special demonstration inside the tent, we showcased the power of animal-assisted learning and the many ways our farm supports the children and families we serve.

This inaugural event was a big success and all funds raised will directly support our programs for children and families. The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing how much they appreciated the welcoming atmosphere, unique setting, and meaningful cause.

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who sponsored, attended, donated, volunteered, or contributed in any way to making this event so special. We’re already looking forward to next year! SAVE THE DATE FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 6TH, 2026.

Want to learn more about Waterford Country School? Contact our Development Office at
860-442-9454 x4106 to schedule a tour-we’d love to show you around!

THANK YOU to our community restaurants for donating the delicious food for this event:

Giuliano’s Bakery, Niantic

Par Four, Groton

The Shack, Waterford

Neon Chicken, New London

Favorites Bistro Bar, New London

La Luna, New London

Crown Pizza, Waterford

Texas Roadhouse, New London

Fireside Pizza, Gales Ferry

Water donated by Flanders Fish Market, Niantic

 

Many people often consider fostering a teenager the most challenging aspect of foster parenting. Taking care of teenagers may seem intimidating, but it can also be very fulfilling. The urgent need for foster parents to help teenagers is significant—with surprising benefits.

More than 350,000 children in the U.S. are in foster care. Each day in Connecticut, the child care system serves 4,000+ children, with teenagers comprising over 35%.

The primary goal of foster care is to reunite children with their families. Nearly half of all children in foster care are successfully reunited with their parents or primary caregivers. Many find permanent homes with their foster families and around 25% are adopted. However, each year, more than 15,000 young adults age out of the foster care system without being adopted or reconnecting with their birth families.

The lack of stable support for teens aging out of foster care leads to substantial difficulties. The absence of a stable home and reliable support increases their likelihood of entering the criminal justice system, frequently because of limited support, insufficient job skills, or housing instability. Over 20% experience homelessness within their first year of independence. Before turning 20, 25% of young adults experience more health issues than their counterparts, including hospital stays due to illness, injury, substance use, or mental health conditions.

You can make a meaningful, positive contribution by choosing to foster a teenager. With the right guidance, foster families can help teens successfully transition into adulthood. To meet this urgent need, we must first challenge the misconceptions surrounding teenage foster care.

A common myth is that teenagers in foster care are difficult to connect with or more prone to causing trouble. Foster care teens, in fact, share many of the same challenges as their younger counterparts. Patience, acceptance, and love allow them to create meaningful, lasting relationships. The effort of fostering teens is worthwhile despite the challenges, much like fostering other age groups.

Proper training and a strong support system are vital to fostering success. The Waterford Country School’s Foster Care Program provides families with comprehensive training, ongoing support, and thoughtful placement matches to ensure positive outcomes for both children and foster families. Families never face the journey alone.

To learn more about becoming a foster family, contact the Waterford Country School’s Foster Care Program at 860-886-7500 or email lduzy@waterfordcs.org.

Waterford Country School is a FREE summer meals site! All children and teens 18 and under may receive free breakfast and lunch at our pick up site starting July 1. 

Breakfast Pickup: 9-9:30am

Lunch Pickup: 12:30-1pm

Pickup location is in front of Moorehead House (gray building), 78 Hunts Brook Road, Quaker Hill, CT, 06375.

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The CT Summer Meals Program is federally funded by the USDA and state-administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). The program provides free, nutritious meals to kids during summer break. Summer Meals meet federal nutrition guidelines and are composed of milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and meat or another protein. Summer Meals are offered at hundreds of sites around the state from June to late August, serving combinations of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Meals are free to any child age 18-and-under, no questions asked.  www.ctsummermeals.org