This month, the CFOC Nonprofit Spotlight features Family Service Association (FSA), in Oneonta.
Established in 1909, the Family Service Association’s mission is to support the strengths of families and individuals, as well as assisting others with their own needs. By respecting others as well as making people feel comfortable, FSA has created a nonjudgemental environment. FSA receives its funding through grants, national and local foundations, churches, fundraising, and donations from the community.
In August, FSA kicks off the Back to School Project, supported, in part, by a generous grant through the Mildred Parish Foundation Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Otsego County. Millie Parish was an FSA board member and a devoted supporter of the Back to School Project and the Oneonta Clothing Guild.
The Project kicked off from August 25-29 and runs through the month of September. FSA collects and purchases school supplies, backpacks, socks, underwear, sneakers, and hygiene items for children to be ready to go to school. The mission of the project is to make sure all children regardless of location and income are ready to participate and attend school. Families come from various surrounding schools and each child in the family that is attending school will be given 10 items that they need from their school supply list. The supplies include notebooks, folders, loose leaf paper, binders, pens, pencils, crayons, and a long list of other items. Children in Otsego County attending Kindergarten through 5th grade are also eligible for socks, underwear, and sneakers through the Clothing Guild. After September, all the remaining supplies are donated to school districts for any children that may enroll or are still in need of supplies.
Led by Executive Director Patricia Leonard, the FSA team includes Eileen Mugford (Clothing Program Manager), Kim Defalco (Emergency Service Program Manager), and Alice Goldman (Program Assistant). All staff at FSA received their Family Development Credential (FDC). In addition to staff members, FSA is supported by dedicated volunteers, summer youth and Youth group members, and interns from the local colleges.
To learn more about the Back to School Project and Clothing Guild, or other programs that Family Service Association operates, visit their website at fsaoneontany.org, or call 607-432-2870.
Content provided by FSA.
