News
FCS: A Hundred Years Of Helping
By Eileen Moon
THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, supporters of Family and Children Service will gather at Deal Country Club to celebrate the achievements of an agency that has been a source of help and hope to people in need for a hundred years.
In that time, the agency at 191 Bath Avenue in Long Branch, has built a reputation as an organization that is quick to respond to the changing needs of the community, offering a wide variety of social services to families and individuals at times of struggle during their lives.
Board of Trustees member and past board president B.J. Thompson is a second-generation board member. "Because of (my mother's) love for the agency, I developed my love for the agency," B.J. said.
Board member Lee Weber, also a past president, joined the organization in 1968, first as an auxiliary member and then on the board, where she is now entering her fifth decade of service.
Mary Ann McDonald is now president of the 23-member board, which raises funds and plans programs for FCS's lengthy roster of community services.
"I think it's interesting that the title of the agency has evolved over the years to meet the needs of the population," noted McDonald. A century ago it began as the Society for the Improvement of the Poor.
Today FCS provides counseling, education, financial management, health and protective services to a diverse population, it also operates two thrift shops offering low-income families economical shopping opportunities.
"There's tremendous need in this community," McDonald said.
The agency also sponsors a Future Leaders Council for high school students, a retired and senior volunteer program and a Reading Buddies program that sends volunteer readers into area classrooms to introduce children to the fun of reading.
While many things have changed in a hundred years, the agency's commitment to bringing a little Christmas to children in need remains firm. As more and more families struggle economically, FCS is experiencing an increase in calls for help, says FCS Executive Director Vincent D'Elia who has been with the organization for a year and a half.
A former hospital administrator, D'Elia began his career in social work and sees his role at FCS as a return to his roots. "When I was in social work many years ago, I was a frequent referrer (to FCS)," he said.
The agency's $5.5 million annual budget is assembled through county and state grants, fundraisers and donations.
"The need is greater than ever before," D'Elia said.
With the holidays approaching, the agency will soon be gearing up for Operation Sleighbells. "That program is still going strong, which really says something about the agency," D'Elia said.
FCS Development Director Linda Steel said that the first order of business for this year's holiday season is to find a location where gifts for needy families can be dropped off, sorted and packaged for pickup or delivery.
"We're looking for a site because it takes us several weeks" to prepare for the holidays. "Maybe someone will come forward and donate a location for about three weeks," Steel said.
"We would like it to be close to the agency because our clients are used to coming here."
For information about donating, volunteering or obtaining services from FCS, call the organization at (732)-222-9111.
