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History of FSW
Family Services of Westchester opened its doors on November 11, 1954, with one social worker; within a year the agency was juggling 40 cases a month. Over the next five decades FSW would expand its services and its programs in a variety of ways, but always in response to specific needs in the community. Today Family Services of Westchester has eight family centers located around Westchester County and with a staff of 450 professionals who help 24,000 people a year lead more fulfilling lives. Our work spans the entire Westchester region, with more than 50 different programs that respond to diverse cultural, economic and emotional needs of families throughout Westchester.
When FSW opened its doors in 1954, America was a different place. Eisenhower was in the White House, the year’s most popular movie was White Christmas, Elvis Presley was just coming on the scene, and TV families were uniformly white, middle class and intact. But beneath the glossy surface were plenty of problems: “World War II had just ended, and there were a lot of families in crises,” recalls founding Executive Director Irwin Stein. Families that had endured wartime separations and dislocations were facing new problems, from child abuse to alcoholism and mental health issues.
As we begin the 21st century, FSW is continuing to change with the times, developing new initiatives in response to new needs. For example, more than a third of Westchester’s senior population lives in poverty; FSW’s
Sunshine Fund and
SenioRx Solutions are recent program additions designed to assist low-income seniors.
The agency has also adapted to new methods and ideas. When new research underscored the importance of early intervention for children with developmental problems, FSW brought Prime Time and Head Start under the agency’s umbrella. Today fifty infants, toddlers and preschoolers enjoy learning in Prime Time’s nurturing classroom environment, and more than 234 plus pre-schoolers, infants, toddlers and their families receive care and education at five Early Head Start/Head Start sites in White Plains.FSW already has its eye on the next 50 years.
According to Census 2000, Westchester’s Hispanic population grew 67% in the last ten years, a trend that is expected to continue.
The Lucille and Harry E. Jerome Technology Learning Center
Opened in May 2004, The Jerome Technology Learning Center creates opportunities for individuals of all ages to improve computer skills, academic performance and prospects for future employment through access to modern technology and role-model relationships. In this beautiful new facility in our Port Chester offices, at-risk youth, unemployed seniors, underemployed adults and new immigrants to our community can take advantage of 30 state of the art computer stations, training classes and advanced application instruction to learn computer technology that ranges from simple keyboarding to video production and robotics.
The Lucille and Harry E. Jerome Technology Learning Center is the result of a generous gift from the Jerome Family and Monroe College. Continued collaboration with Monroe College, school districts, and partnerships with businesses and organizations in the community help us shape a program that is responsive to the educational needs of a broadly diverse community.
Populations served include:
• Youngsters from high needs areas, through after-school, weekend and summer opportunities where they can continue to learn outside of the school day with the support of a corps of technology mentors.
• Young Latina mothers and Head Start parents, for whom in-home computers are rarely available. The TLC closes the digital divide and introduces vital skills that improve their employability and future family security.
• Seniors looking to enter the digital age or improve their ability to reenter the job market. The TLC provides the means they need to upgrade their skills and develop new confidence.
Program
• Curriculum is customized to serve the divergent needs of the group or needs of collaborating partners
• Corps of volunteer Technology Mentors provide opportunities to explore career choices and expand horizons through positive role model and mentoring relationships
• Addresses life skills issues such as financial literacy, resume preparation, ESL, helping the teenagers and young families living on limited incomes to better manage personal resources
Goals
• Improving academic performance
• Strengthening self-esteem
• Providing skills for future employability • Developing and supporting creativityHours of Operation• 6 days a week • Seniors and adults from 9 am to 3 pm and evenings
• Youth aged 7-18 after school and on weekends LocationPort Chester Family CenterOne Gateway PlazaPort Chester, NY 10573
Contact Pedro Zepeda (914) 937-4558
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