An Outing for Our New Youth Advisory Board
Posted: February 27, 2019 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families Leave a commentThe Family Center recently launched a Youth Advisory Board to help us develop programming for NYC youth and identify emerging needs of youth in our community.
On February 16th, they went on a outing in Dumbo. Enjoy the fun photos of our fabulous Family Center teens!
A Special Reconnection
Posted: September 14, 2018 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families, Visionary Volunteer Leave a commentRecently, The Family Center received an email through our website from a former volunteer who mentored one of our children some time ago. Dara’s note is heart-warming and at the same time, encourages our Board, staff, volunteers and supporters to persevere in our work to keep vulnerable families stronger, longer. Her words also reveal that we don’t just strengthen families: we build communities.
Back in early 2000’s I became a mentor to Amanda. I was only her mentor for maybe 2 years. I don’t really remember why I stopped being her mentor. Anyway, 15+ years later, she found me on Facebook and messaged me. She emailed me the following:
“Hi Dara,
I don’t know if you remember me, but you use to be my mentor when you were apart of The Family Center back in the early 2000’s. I always wondered how you were and what you were up to? I also wanted to say thank you for everything you did for me back then, I truly appreciated everything you’ve done and I’m glad to see your doing well. Congratulations on you marriage (I know I’m off a several years sorry!) and your kids are sooooo adorable!!! I’m so happy for you! Also, please give a hug to Nikki for me, it’s funny I’m actually listening to “Test Drive” right now, it is such a good album! Why haven’t you guys put anything else out though? Anyway, much love and hugs to you both!!! – Amanda”We have emailed back and forth quite a bit since then. I love that she reached out to me. I honestly didn’t think I made that much of an impression on her!
I just wanted to email this to you as yet another story of how the Family Center helps the families who participate in your organization. I was so glad I got to be a part of it.
Thanks,
Dara
Amanda and Dara in 2003
We are so grateful to Dara -and Amanda- for giving us permission to share this story with you, our blog readers.
Do you have a story about your Family Center experience? If so, contact us!
At The Family Center, we delight in spreading news about the good work of volunteers and supporters like Dara.
Amanda at a Family Center event
The Time of Shining Lights
Posted: December 28, 2017 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families, Our Legal Lifeline Leave a commentEvery year, Family Center staff and supporters work diligently during the holidays to ensure that our client families have an extra special season. Recently, hundreds of clients attended The Family Center Annual Holiday Party, which is a culmination of our Toy Drive.
This year, following our Toy Drive, a staff member in our Legal Wellness Institute received this message from a parent:
I picked the toys for my children up. My children are enjoying it very much. You put a shining light in their heart in the time of shining light.
This message brightened our day at The Family Center and we simply had to share it with YOU, our supporters. We are grateful to everyone who donates to the Toy Drive and to all our initiatives throughout the year!
Thankful for The Family Center
Posted: December 22, 2017 Filed under: Executive Director's Corner, Our Cherished Children & Families, Visionary Volunteer Leave a comment
Beth, far left, volunteering at The Family Center’s 20th Anniversary Gala in 2014
Beth McCarthy, a member of The Family Center Leadership Council, recently emailed her friends and family with a sweet note about us and our work. We thought we’d share:
Hello and happy holidays!
As you may know, I am a member of the Leadership Council at The Family Center, which is a nonprofit that provides legal, social, and mental health services to NYC families living below the federal poverty level. I have been volunteering with this organization for many years and am so proud of the work being accomplished.
This past year the Leadership Council has undertaken and achieved many wonderful things for the clients of The Family Center. We have continued to develop our financial literacy program by teaching and providing workshops on budgeting, banking, credit and other financial services to those in need. As Kofi Annan said, “Knowledge is power, information is liberating and education is the premise of progress in every society, in every family.” We believe that with this education the clients can take control of their financials allowing for more freedom and security in their daily lives. We have also helped to host our annual Harvest Ball, sort toys through the toy drive and held our annual Holiday party which brings so much joy and excitement to the children, it is truly special.
I understand that this time of year is extremely busy but if you could take a moment out of your day to donate (using the link below) I would greatly appreciate it as would the people who you are helping directly. Your donation will help us continue our efforts to improve the lives of those around us, especially in times of need. The families that The Family Center serves are often dismissed and forgotten and we want them, particularly the children, to know they are important and deserve the kind of holiday we all enjoy.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Thank you! Have a great day!
Beth McCarthy
We not only appreciate Beth’s kind words and thoughtful sentiments about our clients, we are also thankful for her!
Happy Holidays to Beth and all our supporters! And a healthy New Year too!
Parents on a Journey at TFC
Posted: May 3, 2017 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families, Social Service Story Leave a commentParenting Journey is a 12-week group which encourages parents to reflect on their own childhoods, in order to be able to choose what kind of parent they want to be and create their own style of parenting – one that reflects their personal vision and values. The fun and interactive program encourages parents to build confidence and community. TFC is excited to be offering our second cycle of Parenting Journey and we thank our terrific group members for making it a powerful experience for all. Enjoy photos taken during the group’s most recent meeting below!
Parenting Journey group members working hard to be the best parents and caregivers that they can be!
A piece of artwork that also doubles at the Parenting Journey group contract -how clever!
A Family Center staff facilitator of Parenting Journey shows off the day’s agenda.
The Open-Hearted Grandmother Behind The New York Times Story: Ms. Parker
Posted: April 27, 2017 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families, Social Service Story Leave a comment
Ms. Sandra Parker is a current Family Center client, who was featured in the New York Times Neediest Cases in January. The article, A Door to a Home Brimming with Love, and Open to All, has a title that accurately describes Ms. Parker and her devotion to her grandchildren, despite her own obstacles and health issues. Ms. Parker has been involved with The Family Center since 2014. Ms. Parker stated that an issue came up and she was in need of some assistance accessing furniture. She called and met with Marya, The Family Center Director of Social Services, who was able to quickly put in an application for furniture. With the assistance from The Family Center, Ms. Parker was awarded a $1,000 grant from FPWA, one of the eight organizations supported by The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund.
Since receiving that grant, Ms. Parker and her family have received a variety of different services, for which she is very grateful. Ms. Parker is currently caring for four grandchildren, from age five to sixteen, a responsibility she accepts open-heartedly, but has experienced her share of struggles and setbacks; she is appreciative of the additional support from The Family Center. Ms. Parker and her family have participated in events and are benefiting from counseling and support offered at The Family Center.
Ms. Parker said, “I love the Family Center because even though I have had hard times, no one has been judgmental. Everyone has been kind about my situation and very helpful.”
The Family Center strives to provide our client families with nonjudgmental, compassionate and supportive assistance in a variety of different areas. Ms. Parker is a client, who is a pleasure to work with, as she has an overwhelming love for her grandchildren and does her best to impart wisdom and teach her grandchildren valuable life lessons, such as the importance of education, disregarding negativity and always trying to reach one’s potential.
-Tara Pine, Family Center Social Worker
The Family Center Has Moves
Posted: April 12, 2017 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families, Social Service Story, Visionary Volunteer Leave a commentClients at The Family Center are making moves! Recently, TFC hosted a dance and movement workshop in partnership with Gibney Dance, an NYC-based organization whose mission is to “bring the possibility of movement where it would otherwise not exist.” Clients from Familia Unida Latina (FUL), a peer-led Spanish-speaking support group, took part in the workshop; and Amy Miller, Associate Artistic Director of Gibney Dance Company, facilitated.
Gibney Dance partners with community organizations all across New York City to offer free workshops for survivors of violence, and people living with illness and loss. Gibney workshops focus on the principles of choice, self-expression, trust, and sharing, in order to create a collaborative space for healing. FUL group members had a great time moving and creating together, and found that the workshop provided a very energizing start to the day! Thank you, Amy and Gibney Dance for this wonderful opportunity!
-Sophie Schapiro, Family Center Social Worker & FUL Group Facilitator
TFC @ SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Grantee Meeting
Posted: April 6, 2017 Filed under: Executive Director's Corner, Our Cherished Children & Families, Social Service Story Leave a comment
From left to right: Family Center representatives Marya Gilborn, Julian Ho, and Ivy Gamble Cobb with SAMHSA Program Officer Kim Thierry-English
Key outcomes include the following:
- BWEL clients reported fewer days in the last month of serious depression and anxiety after 6 months in the program
- BWEL clients score reported less acuity of symptoms of emotional distress after 6 months in the program.
- 77.8% of HIV+ BWEL clients who were not virally suppressed at intake had reduced viral loads at discharge, in most cases achieving viral suppression.
- BWEL clients who reported current or past PTSD symptoms remained engaged and achieved benefits like those described above at rated higher than those who reported no past trauma or had experienced traumatic events but reported no or few PTSD symptoms.
When a Fair Hearing Gets Good, A Life Gets Better
Posted: March 29, 2017 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families, Our Legal Lifeline Leave a comment
Leigh next to the LWI files headed off to archives at the end of 2016
The Family Center’s Legal Wellness Institute (LWI) recently received a client satisfaction survey with the following quote:
“You could tell “Lee” who was assigned to me that I THANK [sic] her so much for her assistance re: my fair hearing issues. I thank her for being a human being understanding and kept it all professional… I’m truly grateful for her help.”
Lee, who actually spells her name Leigh, is one of LWI’s Coordinators. She not only supports our attorneys as they strive to win their cases on behalf of Family Center clients, but also carries her own hefty caseload. This sweet note came from a client whom Leigh successfully represented in Housing Court.
#CreditCardReductionDay 2017: How to Get a Grip on Credit Card Debt When All Seems Lost
Posted: March 21, 2017 Filed under: Our Cherished Children & Families, Our Legal Lifeline Leave a comment
Louis hosting a financial literacy workshop in the community
Credit card debt is like a mosquito, always bugging you and leaving a big scar. While it may seem that the burden of credit card debt is overwhelming, there are ways of dealing with it successfully. However, true solutions usually need time and effort. That said, hope should never be lost. It is possible to go from drowning in debt to not owing a single dime.
The first step in reducing credit card debt is knowing what you owe. Most times, the concerns of daily life prevent us from knowing everything that is happening with our finances. You cannot fix a problem if you do not know what the problem is. You can either go through your most recent credit card statements or look at your credit reports (going to annualcreditreport.com or calling 877-322-8228 are the only government-approved ways to get the free copies of your credit reports that you are entitled to by law every 12 months).
Once you know what you owe, the next step is figuring out what you can afford to pay. All credit cards have minimum payment amounts, but if you can afford to pay more, you will decrease your debt in far less time. Higher payments mean less interest being charged over time. Paying off your highest-interest cards first reduces the interest charged. Something else that works for some people is to pay off the lowest balances first (regardless of interest rate) so they can see balances disappearing, which motivates them to continue paying down debt. Needless to say, if you are already in credit card debt, you want to avoid taking on new card debt if possible. Also, every six months, ask your credit card companies for an interest rate reduction. A March 2016 survey from CreditCards.com found that 78% of cardholders who asked for a rate cut received one.
While the preceding advice works if you can afford to make payments, if you cannot, you have options as well. At times you can not make minimum payments, contact your credit card company to explain your situation and request reduced payments or a payment delay until your situation improves. However, if your financial difficulties are longer-term or if you have already missed payments and are dealing with a collection agency, then there are things to consider. You should think about working out a repayment plan that will settle the debt for a lower amount or filing for bankruptcy. Before you file for bankruptcy, it is a good idea to consult a financial or legal professional. If you call the city’s 311 helpline, they will direct you to your local New York City Financial Empowerment Center. These centers provide financial counseling for free.
When it comes to tackling credit card debt, it is vital to know that there are concrete steps you can take no matter what your particular situations are. If left alone, credit card debt just grows and becomes worse. There is no better time than the present to confront the debt head-on and let it know that you will not back down until it is gone.
-Louis Guzman, The Family Center Legal Wellness Institute Economic Justice Advocate
To learn more about the Economic Justice Project at The Family Center, click here.
Family Is Our Middle Name 