Family & Children’s Agency’s primary service location, 149 Water Street in Norwalk, which supported Specialized Foster Care, Family Support and Intervention, for families in crisis, and Homeless Services, was left uninhabitable by Tropical Storm Sandy. Located on the ground level of 149 Water Street, the entire floor experienced severe flooding. The Agency was able to salvage some important items, although all furniture, office equipment, and computers were destroyed.
“The flooding has left our offices at 149 Water Street unusable for the foreseeable future,” according to Rob Cashel, President & CEO of the Agency. “However, despite these challenges, staff has done an outstanding job in maintaining service to our clients,” he continued.
Five hundred clients from the Greater Norwalk region are served by Homeless Services at Family & Children’s Agency. The Community Connections Center, a day center for those experiencing homelessness located in the Water Street operation, offers professional support.
In addition, clients receive a variety of other important services including vocational skills training, case management, counseling, supportive housing, and access to federal benefits. Damages were also incurred by both the Specialized Foster Care and Family Support and Intervention, for families in crisis, facility, which serves children and families throughout Fairfield County. More than 1,000 clients are served by the Agency staff from the Water Street location.
Despite the losses, and without a home base to operate from, services to clients have been maintained due in large part to the Agency’s strong partnerships throughout the Greater Norwalk community. Staff members are working at temporary offsite locations.
Due to a longstanding relationship with Grace Episcopal Church, Reverend Lois Keen has generously donated temporary space at the Church to serve Community Connections Center clients. The Center reopened Tuesday, November 13. Grace Episcopal Church is located at 1 Union Park.
“We’ve been longstanding partners with Family & Children’s Agency for staff and client events, and to be able to assist with this particular program is dear to our hearts,” said Reverend Lois Keen. “We had wanted to be able to serve the homeless and near homeless here in Norwalk for some time now, and are delighted we have this possibility and the space and hours available.”
In an effort to rebuild fully and quickly, Family & Children’s Agency created the Family & Children's Agency's Sandy Relief Fund in an effort to recoup the losses due to the storm. Donations to the fund will directly benefit the programs that have been disrupted and to rebuilding their infrastructure.
Family & Children’s Agency has served Fairfield County and beyond for more than 70 years. Each year, the Agency serves over 10,000 children & families, youth, adults, and seniors. Donations will allow Family & Children’s Agency to continue to focus on its core mission and continue to assist and serve those who critically need help now more than ever.
For more information as to how you can donate to Family & Children’s Agency, please contact Clare Chimento, Vice President of Development & Marketing at (203) 523-5717 or email cchimento@fcagency.org. Please visit our Web site to make on online donation to the Family & Children's Agency's Sandy Relief Fund.
