Saratoga Center for the Family’s Fifth Annual Corks, Forks + Brews
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Since I heard some people like horse racing in this town, I shall summarize thusly:
This five year-old has found its stride, and in a crowded event field – has jumped up a few class levels into graded stakes company.
As in Grade 1! Corks, Forks and Brews has pivoted in a few significant ways, and in so doing has elevated itself into the realm of a “must be at” event:
– By moving the site to the Holiday Inn (232 Broadway), whose hallmark has always been the “big tent welcoming all” approach re: catering, Saratoga Center for the Family (SCFF) refreshed their event with a wide range of, well, refreshing – also, unique and of course, delicious offerings from here and there, showcasing a plentiful cross-section of the region’s harvest.
I would say that the people enjoyed themselves!
An extended family of offerings to an extended family of attendees. This event was already growing organically each year; yet this was clearly a major upgrade. One thing that has not changed, though, is the core mission of SCFF. In her welcome letter in the program, Executive Director Rebecca Baldwin noted sobering statistics that tell that the need for the services provided by SCFF is, unfortunately growing as well:
“This past year our clinical staff has provided 5,889 counseling sessions to over 400 children and families at the Center, in addition to 954 sessions in our school based locations….Our Harriet M. West Child Advocacy Center has coordinated 228 forensic interviews and 65 forensic exams for children who were alleged victims of abuse.”
– Rebecca Baldwin
No community has immunity – no economic strata has a monopoly on this scourge. What this community has is a vehicle to push back against it, and bring some light to those facing hopeless darkness.
Visit SCFF’s Website
Arthur Gonick
November 5, 2017
