What is the Rainbow Project?
The Rainbow Project is a local, non-profit Child & Family Counseling and Resource Clinic, offering prevention, early intervention and treatment services for young children (infants through 10 years) and their families, who have experienced trauma. Trauma, includes child abuse, child sexual abuse, neglect and domestic or community violence. Founded in 1980, the clinic has served nearly 6,000 children and their families. Both Sharyl Kato, Executive Director and Child & Family Therapist, as well as Dr. Hugh Johnston, M.D., resident Child Psychiatrist, are known on a local, state, national and international level for pioneering techniques and designing an effective community-based model of programs (8) which help to break the cycles of family and community violence.
Where did the name, “Rainbow Project” come from? Nearly 30 years ago, we decided on a simple, positive name that young children could easily say and remember. We wanted to make sure the name was consumer-friendly and not negative, nor stigmatizing or labeling, for participating families.
Why is The Rainbow Project so unique?
- It has a comprehensive, “hands-on” approach unlike any other therapy clinic. It includes individual and family counseling, parent education, play therapy, childrens’ and adult groups, home visits, consultation in daycare, school, foster home, domestic violence or homeless shelter settings and other community field visits.
- Rainbow is a required teaching rotation site for child/adolescent residents from the UW Medical School Dept. of Psychiatry, since 1984. This provides first-hand experience in play therapy and best-practice trauma services for young children and families.
- Rainbow therapists effectively network with other professionals involved with families, including social workers, teachers, law enforcement, physicians and the courts, to advocate and coordinate services for young children and their families.
- Rainbow therapists offers high quality and a level of specialized, evidence-based, best-practice training and experience, who work effectively with infants, children, adults, families experiencing stress and trauma.
- The ability to successfully address core issues with children and families, rather than symptoms. This approach ensures longer lasting problems from re-occurring in the future.
- Rainbow Project has the capacity to work effectively with young victims, including some of the worst cases heard or read about in the news.
- Our therapists are leaders participating at a local, state, national level task forces, committees and conferences, to improve policy, service and delivery of services for children and families.
How Did the Annual Rhumba 4 Rainbow Charity Event Begin?
In order to maintain the high level of services that makes The Rainbow Project so successful, we must rely heavily on private funding, in addition to public grants. This has been proven even more difficult in the past years with an unprecedented economic crisis, at all levels of government. Ironically, economic stress only heightens turmoil in families, as a result, the demand for The Rainbow Project services increases. As a result, 5 years ago, Sharyl, The Rainbow Project executive director, decided to combine her love for the organization with her love of salsa dancing to raise funds for traumatized children….hence Rhumba 4 Rainbow.
Rhumba 4 Rainbow brings together a diverse audience of participants that otherwise might not come together, where it not for the mission and purpose of helping the young children and families we work with. Supporters from the business sector, government, community leaders, salseros, students, donors, media, volunteers and consumers, attend, as well as, service providers from the courts, medical, education, law enforcement and human services community. The event is joyful, inspiring and celebratory.
Each year the event has grown bigger and better. It is easy to say this, but it really has. From our 1st event in 2005, we hosted 180 guests, and grew each year, to host over 525 guests, in 2008.
The 4th Annual Rhumba 4 Rainbow was held at the Marriott West. Special presenters for the EXTRA MILE Awards have included:
- Senator Mark Miller
- District Attorney Brian Blanchard
- County Executive, Kathleen Falk
- Mayor Dave
- Dr. Dan Nerad
- Superintendent
- Madison Schools
- Madison Police Chief, Noble Wray
Last year, we exceeded our fundraising goal and saw a silent auction that only gets better and better and is truly “The Best” in Madison. We continue to have the amazing and energizing music of Grupo Candela and the help of dance instructors, from the Midwest, who teach free salsa lessons in the beginning of the evening. Celebrity and professional judges seek out the best salsa couples and best-dressed of the evening, adding more fun each year, including great trophies and prizes and grand raffle and door prizes, great food and great company.
6th Annual Rhumba 4 Rainbow Event
What is So Special About the Rhumba for Rainbow in 2010?
This Year The Rainbow Project Is Celebrating 30 Years Of Service In Our Community!
The Rainbow Project will host its sixth annual Rhumba 4 Rainbow Benefit and 30th Birthday Party Celebration on Friday, September 10 from 7 p.m. to midnight in the Grand Ballroom at the Marriott Madison West. The public is invited to attend and celebrate our work with Latin music, dancing and food, community awards and a raffle and silent auction. Proceeds from the benefit will support our continued work in Dane County of providing direct early intervention and prevention services to children and their families/caregivers who have experienced trauma, including child sexual abuse, child abuse and neglect and exposure to domestic or community violence. This year’s event is even more memorable as we celebrate the fact that we’ve been able to provide services to over 6,000 children during that time.
A special treat for the evening will be a salsa dance challenge offered to the community by Madison Police Chief Noble Wray. Chief Wray has agreed to salsa dance with a professional dancer during the evening’s program if Madisonians support the Rainbow Project with a donation.
Other highlights at Rhumba 4 Rainbow include music by the 11 piece Latin band “Grupo Candela,” performances by World Salsa Congress professional dancers, competition for prizes in the Sixth Annual Madison Salsa Championship, dance lessons and celebrity guests who will serve as judges and presenters. A brief award ceremony will also take place honoring individuals and organizations who have made a difference in the lives of families and young children at the Rainbow Project. Honorees include: Falk Elementary School, Ted Feierabend, Will Green, Jolene Hagens, Dr. Darald Hanusa, Ralph and Erica Kauten, Sandra Rivera, Sally and Frances Schrag and the Dane County Corporation Counsel.
Advance tickets for Rhumba 4 Rainbow are $30 for general admission and $60 for premium tickets which include party favors and premier seating. You can donate to the Chief Noble Wray dance challenge by mailing your contribution to: Park Bank; Rhumba 4 Rainbow Dance Challenge; P.O. Box 8969; Madison, WI 53708-8969. You can also contribute to the challenge and order event tickets by calling the Rainbow Project at 608-255-7356 x 310. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $40 and $70.
If your business or organization is interested in becoming a Rhumba 4 Rainbow sponsor, it’s not too late. Contact us today to see how you can become a table or event sponsor. Sponsors receive free tickets, premier seating at the event, free advertising in the program, special party favors, and an opportunity to promote your business/organization at the event. Remember, IT’S TIME TO RHUMBA!!!