CEO CORNER
By Phil Mickulas
President/CEO

Recently, we've had the chance to host tours of two of our program sites: our shelter for runaway teens and our family resource center. These tours were conducted so that supporters could see first-hand the impact of their investment in our mission.

It was gratifying to see the reactions and hear the comments from our guests who enjoyed seeing that they were part of the solution. We were able to show how we've made improvements in the lives of young people who have nowhere else to turn, and to those who are struggling to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Each day we fight against the devastating effects of poverty, chemical dependency or emotional trauma. Each day we are energized by knowing that we are not alone in this fight; we are supported by volunteers and donors (investors) like you who stand alongside us as we transform people's lives.

If you'd like to come on the next tour, please email me. We'd love for you to experience the satisfaction that we feel when a life is transformed. You'll be able to see just how much your financial support means to those we serve.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Phil

P.S. Donate today to help transform a life of someone in need.

Helping the Homeless

Newsday recently reported that "...nearly 2,500 individuals including 590 families lived in Long Island homeless shelters as 2012 began" (New Face of LI's Homeless/Newsday 5/7/12). Many of these people are new to the experience and are facing un/under employment and all of the challenges that go with mounting bills and lack of resources. Many of them are parents working two and three part-time jobs trying to earn enough money to provide for their families. Others are single young veterans who have yet to find employment and are battling emotional issues. We are here to counsel these people as they deal with the stress of having their lives turned inside-out by un/under employment or loss of spouse or other life-changing event. And at the same time, we provide stop-gap measures to keep people in their homes.

In addition, we offer after-school care, back-to-school supplies, holiday gifts and a summer camp to help children stay hopeful and happy while keeping their families afloat. We have veterans support groups and a residence for homeless veterans to help local heroes manage their challenges. And, we provide shelter to special populations that would otherwise be homeless including: runaway teens, homeless young adults and adults and youth with diagnoses of mental illness.

Help us care for your neighbors in need. Your donation, when combined with others, can help keep families from becoming statistics.

We'd like to recognize the Newsday/McCormick Foundation for helping us serve our community.

We're grateful to IKEA Long Island for donating $10,000 in furnishings and accessories for our shelter and residences. Their contributions turned our residential spaces into Home Sweet Home for our clients. Click here to see photos of the rooms.

• Student supporters have been very busy this spring running events, drives and collections on our behalf. We'd like to recognize Students from The College of Old Westbury who selected FCA as their charity of choice for the National Residence Hall Honorarium fund raising effort. Special thanks to Maria Llivicura (second from left) for spearheading the project.
• Students in Ms. Patty Gilroy's class at Seaford Middle School collected a large supply of arts and crafts materials, school supplies and personal care items that were delivered to the youth at our teen runaway shelter.
• Students from H. Frank Carey High School donated $300 from monies collected by the M.I.K.E. Club via a Pocket Change drive. If your school would like to help their fellow Long Islanders, let us know.

The mission of Family & Children's Association is to protect and strengthen Long Island's most vulnerable children, seniors, families, and communities. We offer assistance to those who are experiencing social, emotional and economic challenges.

Family & Children's Association e-newsletter is made available to our friends, sponsors, donors, volunteers and employees for informational purposes only. The information contained in this communication is not intended as advice or to take the place of professional counseling.

© 2012 Family & Children's Association - All rights reserved.
100 E. Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501 | (516) 746-0350