Incredible things are possible when we work together.

What difference is my support making? Who is it helping?

This is a fair question for any of our supporters to ask. In this section, we will share our stories with you while maintaining complete confidentiality. We will keep you updated on the activities in our various programs, including success stories of those whom we have helped, special events in which our programs participate, and any commendations that our staff receives.

Grand Island High School Students Make Quilts for Haven House

Caitlin Wojciechowski, a teacher at Grand Island High School, wanted to do something to inspire her students in honor of Women’s History Month. With the help of the school’s art teacher, Jackie Carpenter, the two educators came up with a plan that would give their students hands-on experience while giving back to the community. “We…
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JetBlue Assembles Birthday Boxes and “Sweet Cases” for Children in Foster Care Program

A birthday is the perfect opportunity to let someone know you are thinking of them. During JetBlue’s “Sweet Cases” for Foster Love fundraising initiative, crewmembers filled hand-painted duffel bags with care items and assembled birthday boxes for children in Child and Family Services (C+FS) Foster Care Program. The duffel bags include a stuffed animal, hygiene…
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Children in Residential Treatment Enjoy a “Paint and Snack” Night

Famed Black artist Charles White once said, “An artist must bear a special responsibility. [They] must be accountable for the content of [their] work. And that work should reflect a deep, abiding concern for humanity.” In honor of this year’s Black History Month’s theme: “African Americans and the Arts,” Yvonne DuBois, Chief Equity and Inclusion…
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Cornell University Partners with C+FS Residential Treatment Program

An exciting new partnership brought members of the Agency’s residential team to Cornell University to learn new methods of how to improve service delivery for children in our care. More than a dozen members of the residential management team had a chance to attend a three-day leadership retreat at Cornell University to learn about a…
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The Paw-fect Outfit for Ellie

Six-year-old Ellie arrived at Child and Family Services (C+FS) over one month ago. When Ellie first came to C+FS Residential Treatment Program, she would spend a lot of time in her room, and she was incredibly shy around the other children. Despite her nervousness, Ellie has always been a very happy child who loves to…
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Valerie Brown Influences Culture at Stanley G. Falk School

Valerie Brown always knew she wanted to make an impact in the lives of children. As she shares her story, her powerful presence points to a lifetime of experiences she has used to encourage her students to achieve and excel in her classroom. When Valerie was only three years old, she started learning sign language…
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Fifteen Twin-Sized Beds Delivered to Families

When Makenzie Victor, Wraparound Supervisor, discovered how many of the families she was working with did not have a mattress or pillow to sleep on at night, she was determined to help. Makenzie works with families in our community-based counseling programs whose children are at risk of out-of-home placement. Families learn how to solve problems…
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Play Ball! New Recreation Assistant Joins Residential Team

“The children here have been through a lot,” emphasized Akyng Frankin. “They deserve to have a safe space to get moving, get their blood flowing and develop certain skills that sports can nurture.” Child and Family Services (C+FS) recently welcomed Akyng, Recreation Assistant, to the team. Akyng is determined to incorporate sports into the recreation…
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The Best Present of All – Elliana is Officially Adopted!

“I’ve been waiting for this for five years,” Elliana said with a smile, as she hugged her mom and dad. On Tuesday, December 19, Elliana was officially adopted by Zabrina and Frank – just time for the holidays. Five years ago on Christmas Eve, eight-month-old Elliana was placed with her aunt, Zabrina Reich, and uncle,…
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Amazon Presents Child and Family Services with $20,000 for Adopt-a-Family

‘Twas the week of Adopt-a-Family, and all throughout the Agency, Volunteers gathered gifts, for families with urgency. The donations were handled with excellent care, For every family deserves something to call theirs. The holiday magic couldn’t happen without people like you, And with the generosity from Amazon, the giving can continue. As the holidays quickly…
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Megan Andrews on the Balancing Life’s Issues Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEfs5Fmp5f8&t=1s Megan Andrews, Director of Child and Family Services Employee Assistance Program (EAP), was excited to join the Balancing Life's Issues podcast to discuss what trauma informed work is and the importance of bringing this kind of work to employees through their Employee Assistance Program. How do we begin to unburden ourselves from trauma? On…
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Child and Family Services Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Gains National Spotlight

Child and Family Services Employee Assistance Program (EAP) was recently recognized at a national conference in Portland, Oregon. Megan Andrews, Director of Child and Family Services EAP along with EAP’s Clinical Services Supervisor Jennifer Schultz, presented at the 2023 Employee Assistance Professionals Association Institute & Expo Conference. Their presentation highlighted EAP’s critical incident response after…
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