ABOUT

 

The Family Development Centers, located in the heart of their communities, is the hub around which:

• A base from which positive action may be take against the root causes of poverty;

• Community resources are mobilized;

• The problems and needs of residents are routinely updated through needs survey assessments and community meetings.

 

The prime goals of the Family Development Centers in their early years were to develop or enable indigenous leadership in the target community to which it was addressing its attention. This was to be done by a variety of means, including participation on local Boards and Committee, direct employment in community development aspect of the agency, or creation of widening clientele for manpower or other community needs via Job Training, Education, and the like

 

FAMILY SERVICES

 

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

Organize the community around vital issues that impact their lives i.e.: Housing, Substance Abuse and Family Relations, etc.

 

EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

• Job Bank containing County, State and Federal Civil Service listing of employment opportunities

• Provide linkage with other employment agencies, businesses in the private sector

• Resume Writing

• Assistance with job referrals and job placement

 

ADVOCACY

Assist clients in obtaining services from social services agencies, court advocacy, and helping clients at Fair Hearings, for example.

 

HOUSING

• Eviction intervention

• Emergency Housing Assistance

• EFSP (Emergency Food & Shelter Program)

 

EDUCATION

• GED - High School Equivalency Diploma Referrals

• Government grants for Higher Education

• Adult Education Referrals

• ESOL Classes & Referrals

 

SENIOR CITIZENS

Senior Citizen Advocacy, “Are You Ok?” Program, Food Baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Emergency Food Assistance

 

NUTRITION

Operation of Emergency Food Pantry for Commodity distribution of Government Surplus

 

UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENT SERVICES

• Citizenship

• Permanent Residence

• TPS - Refugee Assistance

 

OTHER FAMILY OPPORTUNITIES

• Emergency Food and Shelter Program

• Emergency Transportation

• Senior Citizen Services

• Prevention & Supportive Workshops

• Health Insurance Referral

 

YOUTH SERVICES

 

SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM

The agency operates an eight (8) - week Summer Program starting the last week of June and continuing till the month of August for youth between the ages of six (6) and thirteen (13). The program operates from five (5) different locations in Nassau County. In addition, an academic program with emphasis on reading comprehension, mathematics and writing skills will be included. Recreational and sports activities that foster team ethics, good sportsmanship and discipline will be integrated.

 

YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

The Youth Enrichment Program operates Mondays—Thursdays until 5:00pm. The participants are between the ages of six (6) years (Kindergarten) - eleven (11) years (5th Grade). After the students homework is completed and corrected, the children engage in recreational activities, such as arts and crafts. Through these activities, the children are giving the opportunity to expand their knowledge.

 

SENIOR YOUTH COUNCIL

Youth are encouraged to become involved in their communities by forming a local youth council. The Youth Council is designed to encourage our youth to strive for excellence in every aspect of their lives. The goal us to provide students with development training and activities, while developing, implementing and promoting resiliency for at risk youth.

 

OTHER YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES

• Leadership & Prevention Programs

• Youth Employment Opportunities

• Community Service Projects

• MLK Corporate Scholarship Program

• MLK Dinner Dance

• Cultural Enrichment Programs