Welcome! We're so glad you came by to visit our web site. The Center exists to make life better for children and families. Learn about our mission and scope, our history and our training objectives.
In our pages you will be able to read in detail about the model of School-Based Family Counseling as well as Counseling Works!, a collection of case stories written by USF Center counselors. And please take a moment to review the Disastershock Handbook which contains invaluable information for responding to crises of all kinds, from minor to immense.
In addition, you will find information on the international conferences sponsored by the Center: the annual Oxford Symposium in School-Based Family Counseling and the Council for Human Rights of Children, chaired by Cloe Madanes, H.D.L.
Benefit Concert a Great Success!Enjoy or revisit . . .
A description of the evening on this page
Concert Review in Diplomatic Journal-WAALM
YouTube Videos: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Enjoy your visit to our site and feel free
to e-mail us.
Brian Gerrard, Ph.D. Executive Director
Center for Child and Family Development
E-mail: gerrardb@earthlink.net
“An Evening with Sattar”
Sunday, May 22 Benefit Concert for The USF Center for Child and Family Development
by Brian Gerrard, Ph.D., Executive Director
The concert began with a bi-lingual introduction by Dr. Laleh Shahideh, Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Student Academic Services, Arts and Sciences, our elegant Master of Ceremonies. After giving the audience an overview of the Center’s mission, Laleh introduced Sheena Sattarpour, Administrative Director of the Center and Sattar’s daughter. Sheena introduced Sattar with grace and humor and her spot-on imitations filled the theater with good-natured laughter and applause. Sheena introduced her father as her hero and the concert began with Sattar entering the stage to stirring music.
An audience of over 250 persons filled the Presentation Theater with enthusiastic applause for the magical performance of Sattar and his 4 musicians. Singing in a language other than English, Sattar, like Andrea Bocelli and Il Volo, spoke in a language of the heart. “I felt he was speaking directly to my spirit” said Judy Giampaoli, our Director of the School Outreach Program. “It was a beautiful and moving experience” said Judy Goodell, a faculty member from the Counseling Psychology Department. During a pause in the performance a voice in the audience called out:”Love you!” and Sattar quietly replied: “Thank you.” During one song the entire audience clapped along, many with hands above their heads. From where I was sitting at the back I could see at least 20 cameras/cellphones recording the concert, their screens glowing in the dark.
After 1 ½ hours and Sattar’s completion of the last song request, the concert ended with thunderous applause and cheering. Laleh again took the stage and encouraged the audience to consider making donations using the “Be a Child’s Hero” remittance envelopes in their programs. She then introduced me in my role as Executive Director of the Center. A portion of my speech in which I presented Sattar with the Center’s award follows:
“The Center for Child and Family Development has a special award to honor persons in the community who make a unique contribution to children and families. Two previous recipients are Dr. Nancy Iverson, who works with children with cancer, and Cloe Madanes, the internationally famous family therapist who works with physically and sexually abused children…
… Tonight we honor Sattar for his humanitarian work in aiding many children’s organizations, such as the orphanage in Tajikistan mentioned in your program. We also honor him for his commitment to social justice reflected in the deep empathy and compassion for the suffering of others that flows through his music. In one of his songs the English translation is: “I grieve…hurtfulness is everywhere…” Sattar, the Center for Child and Family Development is pleased to present you with the 2011 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children and Families.”
When I pointed out that Sr. Mary Peter Traviss was sitting in the front row and that she had chaired the Board of the Center for 20 years, the audience gave a lengthy applause honoring this great lady. Following this Chris Trailer, Clinical Director of the Center, presented a lovely bouquet of flowers to Sheena to thank her for her role in organizing the concert and for being a hero to the Center staff.
The VIP reception followed in Rm 119 with outstanding Persian food of great variety. Attendees received a signed poster of Sattar and most had their photo taken with him (myself included!). At least 20 persons came up to me and thanked me for the concert. A sampling of the emails we received concerning the concert are below.
It was an incredible event, congratulations, you all make us proud.
This was such a lovely event! Sattar's voice was just beautiful and it was really so touching to hear Sheena talk about her love for such a wonderful man... What a great way to bring the Center to the forefront--so deserved by you and everyone associated with it.
I am so excited about Sattar's Concert at USF! Not only is he my absolute favorite singer in the whole world … but for an amazing cause!!!
My husband and I enjoyed the concert and the reception tremendously. Everything was done with warmth and certainly showed to be a work of love!
