Jane Fonda Talks Of Teens At Greenwich Luncheon For Family Centers

GREENWICH, Conn. -- In her keynote remarks at a benefit luncheon for Greenwich-based Family Centers on March 5 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, actor Jane Fonda told an audience of more than 300 that adolescence is an important time – one in which young people develop the identities they are likely to carry into adulthood.

Jane Fonda speaks at the Family Centers luncheon at the Greenwich Hyatt Regency.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Elaine Ubina*

Family Centers President Bob Arnold, Jane Fonda and Family Centers Board Chairman Laurie Host.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Elaine Ubina*

Event co-chairs (l-r) Lauren Driscoll of Stamford, Ashley Allan of Greenwich and Leigh Carpenter of Greenwich with Jane Fonda.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Elaine Ubina*

Susan Evans, Jeanne Host and Megan Tyre, all of Greenwich.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Elaine Ubina*

Pam Caffray of Greenwich and Terri Walker of Rowayton.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Elaine Ubina*

Laurie Host of Greenwich and Marge Berkley of Greenwich with Jane Fonda
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Elaine Ubina*

Merrilou Hillenbrand and Lauren Caffray of Greenwich.
Photo Credit: *Contributed by Elaine Ubina*

Tom Renner

03/12/2014 4:30 a.m.

Fonda also talked about her own teen years and how the challenges she overcame helped to shape the person she is today.

“I have a real soft spot for teens,” Fonda said in her speech. ”One of my goals in life is to make that contagious.”

As she was entering her self-proclaimed “second act” in the 1990s, the Oscar-winning actress took a break from the profession that made her a household name. During that time, Fonda put her energy into educating teens and parents about adolescent sexuality and development.

Determined to help young people navigate the often difficult teen years, Fonda went on to incorporate the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential, and helped found Emory University's Jane Fonda Center for Adolescent Reproductive Health.

The luncheon, co-chaired by Ashley Allan, Leigh Carpenter and Lauren Driscoll, raised $60,000 for Family Centers’ programs that offer health, education and counseling programs to Fairfield County teens and adolescents.

In her new book, "Being a Teen: Everything Teen Girls & Boys Should Know About Relationships, Sex, Love, Health, Identity & More," Fonda combines findings from her years of independent research with experiences from her own childhood to create a frank, straightforward and thorough guide for teens and parents alike.

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering education and human services to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. More than 2,400 professionals and trained volunteers work together to provide a range of innovative programs.

A United Way, Community Fund of Darien and New Canaan Community Foundation partner agency, Family Centers is a member of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies and the Alliance for Children and Families and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

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