(Family Service Association of South Jersey celebrated the grand opening of their new Family Life Center in Egg Harbor Township.)

 

NORTHFIELD, NJ (April 30, 2018) – Family Service Association (FSA) of South Jersey celebrated the expansion of their Family Life Center program with a grand opening event Wednesday, April 24th at FSA’s Egg Harbor Township main office. FSA sought a larger space for their unique multi-service program that helps families affected by abuse or neglect. The program is funded by the New Jersey Department of Children & Families, Division of Child Protection & Permanency.

The new center, located at the site of FSA’s former Bargain Boutique thrift store at 3073 English Creek Ave. in Egg Harbor Township, helps meet the growing needs of Atlantic County residents and allows FSA to expand their parenting education and support for families referred by the Division of Child Protection & Permanency, as well as supervised parent-child visitation and activities.

“Our new Family Life Center is a major benefit to South Jersey families in need,” Cindy Herdman Ivins, President of FSA of South Jersey, said. “Families dealing with abuse or neglect issues can get the support and resources they need to become whole again.”

Working in partnership with the Division of Child Protection & Permanency, attendees at the grand opening event included social workers whom refer families to the FLC Program. FSA staff provided tours around the multi-room facility, which includes areas for young children and families to play, eat meals together and build healthy relationships with each other under supervision.

Herdman Ivins also took a moment at the event to thank The Charity League for 20 years of generous support to Family Service Association of South Jersey. The Charity League annually contributes to the Family Life Center Program. In total, FSA has received over $165,000 in support.

“The Charity League is filled with amazing and dedicated community-oriented women whose financial commitment to Family Service Association and other agencies is awe-inspiring,” Herdman Ivins said. “Their commitment extends beyond financial help to stewardship with their active participation on the FSA board, and their wisdom and support have helped FSA grow to better meet the needs of the community.”

The new Family Life Center replaces FSA’s former Bargain Boutique thrift store, which was a delight of the local community for seven years before closing in May, 2017. The new Family Life Center opened in January.

(From left to right: FSA Board Member, Andrea Worrall, Charity League President, Fran Kraus and FSA of South Jersey President, Cindy Herdman Ivins.)

(Under supervised visits, families can care for children as young as six weeks of age at the Family Life Center.)

 (The letters of parents served at the Family Life Center are featured in the adult lounging area.)

(FSA of South Jersey President, Cindy Herdman Ivins, talks about the importance of FSA’s programs to guests at the Family Life Center grand opening.)

 (FSA of South Jersey staff portraits are featured in a hand-painted “Family” tree at the Family Life Center.)