CLOSE
Tags Posts tagged with "Family & Children’s Association"

Family & Children’s Association

by -
0 471
From left, Anthony Rizzuto, Director of Provider Relations and Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor of Seafield Center, Megan O’Donnell, Executive Assistant District Attorney for Suffolk County; Dr. Gregson H. Pigott, Suffolk County Health Commissioner; Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds, President and CEO, FCA; and Steve Chassman, Executive Director, Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD).

Press Conference Remembers Long Islanders Lost to Overdose

Family & Children’s Association (FCA), one of Long Island’s largest nonprofit health and human services organizations on Long Island, hosted its annual International Overdose Awareness Day event and press conference on Aug. 30 at its THRIVE Recovery Community and Outreach Center in Hauppauge.

The room was filled with families and friends of those lost to this public health epidemic, people in recovery, social workers, government officials, and the press. The morning’s agenda included a call to action, updated overdose statistics, testimony from community partners, firsthand remembrances and tributes from a variety of speakers, and Narcan training. The event closed with a candlelight vigil and a name reading of those lost to an overdose in the past year.

According to the CDC, between March of 2023 and March of 2024, the reported number of drug overdose deaths decreased by approximately 9.4%, from 110,082 to 99,684, while the predicted number of deaths also saw a decline of about 7.5%.  Compared to the previous year, March 2022 to March 2023, in which there was a slight increase in reported and predicted deaths.  There is still much work left to be done.

International Overdose Awareness Day, traditionally observed on the last day of August, aims to raise awareness of this critical public health issue, end overdose, honor without stigma those who have lost their lives, acknowledge the grief of families and friends, and encourage action and discussion on evidence-based overdose prevention and drug policies.

Speakers at the event included Jeffrey L. Reynolds, PhD., FCA President and Chief Executive Officer; Steve Chassman, Executive Director, Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD); Anthony Rizzuto, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor of Seafield Center; Alana Urbont Marino, Director of Community Engagement, Human Understanding & Growth Services, Inc. (HUGS, Inc.); and Dr. Edmond Hakimi, Medical Director at Wellbridge. Victoria “Tori” Sholl spoke about the struggles of her daughter, Jessica and how it affected her entire family. Today, Jessica is in recovery and works as a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate and Program Supervisor in FCA’s Sherpa program, meeting with individuals and families within hospitals and the community who are struggling with Substance Use Disorder.

“Our hope is that this event is meaningful, informative, emotionally charged and ultimately healing for those who attend,” said Dr. Reynolds. “Our goal is always to end this epidemic and eliminate the need for an International Overdose Awareness Day.”

THRIVE envision a community that fosters health, safety, and support for individuals at every stage of recovery. The staff & volunteers assist individuals and families in finding, sustaining, and enhancing their recovery through peer-based support, resource and referral services, and interactive educational programs. They also provide a safe and welcoming environment for substance-free recreational and social activities.

Family & Children’s Association (FCA) leads the operations and oversight of THRIVE Recovery Community and Outreach Center in partnership with the LICADD, LIRA, Families in Support of Treatment (F.I.S.T.), and HUGS, Inc.. THRIVE is funded by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and through private contributions.

About FCA

FCA is a not-for-profit agency helping more than 35,000 Long Islanders each year. For 140 years, the organization has worked to protect and strengthen vulnerable children, seniors, families, and communities on Long Island.

FCA believes in the potential of Long Island – a place where no child, senior, family or community is left to struggle alone with barriers to health care, education, employment, or economic prosperity. Long Island continues to be one of the greatest places in the world to live and raise a family for many; FCA exists to ensure that be the case for all.

For more information about FCA, visit www.fcali.org

by -
0 613
1 of 2
On hand for the check presentation to Family & Children’s Association were (left to right): King Kullen President and Chief Operating Officer Joseph W. Brown; King Kullen Vice President – Corporate Strategy and Initiatives Tracey Cullen; Family & Children’s Association President and CEO Jeffrey Reynolds; Family & Children’s Association Chief Development Officer and Vice President of Strategic Advancement Paige O’Brien; and King Kullen Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer Bernard P. Kennedy.
On hand for the check presentation to Family Service League were (left to right): King Kullen President and Chief Operating Officer Joseph W. Brown; King Kullen Vice President – Corporate Strategy and Initiatives Tracey Cullen; Family Service League Chief Development Officer Jonathan Chenkin; and King Kullen Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer Bernard P. Kennedy.

King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc. of Hauppauge has donated $10,000 to benefit summer camp programs for disadvantaged children in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, a tradition started by King Kullen in 1992. The donation will be divided evenly between Family & Children’s Association (Nassau County) and Family Service League (Suffolk County).

“Camp provides a stimulating and fun environment where children can learn new activities and meet other children their age,” observed King Kullen President and Chief Operating Officer Joseph W. Brown. “King Kullen’s gift will help fund scholarships for children whose families lack the resources for summer camp. Additionally, customers who want to make a difference can participate in our annual ‘Send A Kid to Camp’ campaign this summer by scanning $5, $2, or $1 coupons at the register at all King Kullen and Wild by Nature stores.”

Family and Children’s Association President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds stated, “The gifts we receive from individuals and corporations like King Kullen make it possible for us to provide these wonderful experiences for Long Island’s young people. We’re incredibly thankful to King Kullen for all their support through the years.”

“We are very grateful to again receive this generous donation from King Kullen. These camps are often the highlight of the year for the children we help bringing them the Power of Play and allowing them to be joyful,” added Family Service League Chief Development Officer Jonathan Chenkin. 

by -
0 935
Ryan Attard

Family & Children’s Association (FCA) a health and human services nonprofit organization based in Garden City, recently named Ryan Attard of Huntington Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. FCA President and CEO, Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D. made the announcement on behalf of the organization.

“I am pleased to welcome Ryan to FCA,” Reynolds said. “Her work on some of Long Island’s most vexing challenges and wide-ranging knowledge of our region’s landscape and stakeholders make her an ideal fit for the role as we add new programs.”

In her new position, Attard will oversee FCA’s program operations, IT, compliance, and quality assurance.

“I am thrilled to bring my knowledge and experience to the Family and Children’s Association. As the new COO I am committed to harnessing the power of compassion, collaboration, and innovation to uplift those in need. Together we will create a brighter future for our community,” said Attard.

Prior to joining FCA Attard served as a Deputy County Executive for Suffolk under County Executive Steve Bellone. During her tenure, she collaboratively led in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic by coordinating with over 75 school districts and assisting them in navigating changing rules and guidance. She assisted the most vulnerable populations in getting access to test kits, emergency food delivery, diaper distribution, and vaccinations by collaborating with multiple government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners.

After New York State and Suffolk County won several landmark court victories against opioid manufacturers, Attard created and launched an application process that would allow the county to transparently and fairly allocate over $50 million in settlement funding to non-profits, healthcare systems, and public and private agencies, that provide services around the opioid epidemic, including prevention, treatment, and recovery.

In her previous role at the MTA, she successfully built relationships with government community leaders and gained support for important transportation initiatives such as downtown revitalization, expansion projects, east-side access, and the third track. She also served as a member of their ADA task force.

Attard has also held leadership roles at Long Island University as the University Director of Alumni Relations, where she was charged with running their Annual Fund and programming for over 400,000 alumni, and at the Town of Brookhaven as the Deputy Commissioner of Housing and Human Services charged with housing programs, youth, senior, women and veteran services.

Her dedication to service is further exemplified by her nearly decade-long involvement on the Executive Board of Directors of Girls Inc. of Long Island. Attard is a member of the Energeia Partnership Class of 2019.

About FCA

FCA is a not-for-profit agency helping more than 35,000 Long Islanders each year. For nearly 140 years, the organization has worked to protect and strengthen vulnerable children, seniors, families, and communities on Long Island.

FCA believes in the potential of Long Island – a place where no child, senior, family or community is left to struggle alone with barriers to health care, education, employment, or economic prosperity. Long Island continues to be one of the greatest places in the world to live and raise a family for many; FCA exists to ensure that be the case for all.

For more information about FCA, visit FCALI.org.

by -
0 354
From left, Matthew Schettino (Suffolk Credit Union), Robert Suarez (Bethpage Federal Credit Union), Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, PhD (President/CEO of Family & Children’s Association), Tricia Daley (Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union), Eric Oterson (Jovia Federal Credit Union). Missing: Jennifer Gunn (Teachers Federal Credit Union). Photo from Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union

The New York Credit Union Association’s (NYCUA) Long Island Chapter donated more than $40,000 at its 31st  annual golf outing, held at Stonebridge Golf Links & Country Club in Smithtown on May 31, to benefit the Family & Children’s Association, an organization dedicated to providing help and hope to Long Island’s most vulnerable children, families, seniors and communities 

The Long Island Chapter of the NYCUA includes representatives from credit unions across Long Island.

“It is an honor to be one of the five representatives with the Long Island Chapter of the New York Credit Union Association and to raise money for the Family & Children’s Association,” said Tricia Daley of Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union and Long Island Chapter Secretary for NYCUA. “At Ocean Financial, we are always looking for opportunities to collaborate with other credit unions across Long Island to help those in need.”

by -
0 271
From left, King Kullen Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Initiatives Tracey Cullen; Family and Children’s Association Vice President and Chief Development Officer Craig L. Pinto; and King Kullen Vice President Perishables Richard Conger. Photo from King Kullen

King Kullen Grocery Co. has donated $10,000 to benefit summer camp programs for disadvantaged children in Nassau and Suffolk counties, a tradition begun by King Kullen more than three decades ago.

The donation will be divided evenly between Family & Children’s Association and Family Service League.

“Camp provides a stimulating and fun environment where children can learn new activities and meet other children their age,” King Kullen president and COO Joseph W. Brown said in a company statement. “King Kullen’s gift will help fund scholarships for children whose families lack the resources for summer camp. It’s a great opportunity and we thank our customers for helping to make the donation possible through our ‘Send A Kid to Camp’ campaign.” 

All King Kullen and Wild by Nature stores are participating in this summer’s scanned coupon “Send a Kid to Camp” program, allowing customers to contribute $5, $2, or $1 at the register.

“The gifts we receive from individuals and corporations like King Kullen make it possible for us to provide these wonderful experiences for Long Island’s young people,” said Family and Children’s Association Vice President and Chief Development Officer Craig L. Pinto. “We thank King Kullen for all their support over the years.” 

Family Service League Chief Development Officer Jonathan Chenkin also said his group is grateful for the donation.

“These camps are often the highlight of the year for the children we help,” he said.

TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©