Historical June 1985 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Appointed Director of the Stella Maris Child Center on May 20, Else Sorensew directs and administers the care of 140 children ages 6 weeks to 6 years at 5654 Delmar at DeBaliviere.
In announcing the appointment, Richard Rapfogel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Stella Maris stated, “We welcome Mrs. Sorensew to this position and are delighted an individual of her talent and experience has been selected to head up the operation.
Her appointment underscores the outstanding achievements made in her former position as Program Director at the center, that is, the exemplary expansion of the Infant/Toddler Care and the establishment of an innovative and effective supervisory training program.” Mrs. Sorensew succeeds Dennis Shaughessy, who recently accepted a position with Maritz, Inc. in Fenton, MO.
He will be working with their Program Training Services Division. Prior to joining the center in 1983, Mrs. Sorensew was an Early Childhood Education Specialist for the Child Day Care Association and from August 1977 to June 1981 taught age groups 3-4 and 4-5 at the New City School.
A native of Christianfeld, Denmark, Mrs. Sorensew received her Bachelor’s Degree, specializing in Infant/Toddler Training, from the Early Child Development Institute in Aalborg, Denmark, and her Master’s Degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIU). Additional activities include teaching Early Childhood education at SIU and facilitating educational workshops.
She is the mother of two sons, Erik, 20, a student at SIU and Jens, 16. Stella Maris—a latin term meaning star of the sea—has been a cornerstone of the West End community for over forty years. Serving as a training ground for early childhood education students, the center’s staff seeks to provide a nurturing, loving, caring, secure environment, so vital to the healthy development of the young child.
Mrs. Sorensew states her objective will be to build upon this tradition. “I intend to maintain the same philosophies we have built over the years,” says Sorensew. “What’s important is the continued expansion of our children’s programs, the professional development of our staff, the enhancement of classroom team training concepts, and the maintenance of closeknit community relationships.” While the center is a United Way organization, they do depend upon the community to reach these objectives.
The Friends of Stella Maris, a 15-member organization established 18 months ago, is one such group which works to foster community involvement through fundraising activities.
To that end they are announcing their second annual “Sunday Celebration” to be held June 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The day will begin with Brunch at the Pasta House, 310 DeBaliviere, followed by a leisurely walk down DeBaliviere to the Center. Here, visitors will be entertained by strolling musicians and touched by the warmth of the youthful environment as Stella Maris hosts an Open House. Tickets are $15.00 and are tax deductible.
For reservations and/or additional information, please contact Stella Maris Child Center at 367- 7950.
Original photograph caption
Else Sorensew and Dennis Shaughessy. Photo by King Schoenfeld. The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June 1985, page 6. Source spelling retained.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June 1985.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Source spells outgoing director Shaughessy, while earlier reports spell Shaughnessy; original printed form retained.
Original source: SD_Times1985_06.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
