Child & Family Guidance Center Celebrates 125 Years of Service
From left: Michelle Fitzenhagen, Board President, Child & Family Guidance Center; Carol Lucky, CEO, North Texas Behavioral Health Authority; Andy Wolfskill, CEO, Child & Family Guidance Center; Dr. Elba Garcia, Dallas County Commissioner
PRESS RELEASE
Dallas, TX – The history of nonprofit work in North Texas is literally the history of Child & Family Guidance Center (CFGC) which opened its doors to families in need 125 years ago in 1896. As is often the case, the center started its work after a crisis - one of the worst winters in history. CFGC was the first social service provider in the state of Texas, continually evolving to meet the needs of the community. Today, it offers culturally responsive, trauma-informed mental and behavioral healthcare to individuals of all ages regardless of their ability to pay.
On October 16th, the organization celebrated its quasquicentennial anniversary with over 130 distinguished guests by reopening the renovated clinic and principal location on Harry Hines Boulevard – one of 8 locations. Guests and sponsors, including Michelle & Lex Fitzenhagen, The Keehn Family, Maniac, Inc., Aleman Law Firm, P.C., and The Law Office of Olegario Estrada P.C. raised more than $16,000 in support of the event.
Among those celebrating were volunteers from the local community, including students from The University of Texas at Dallas and local high schools. Local businesses and large corporations alike donated services, gift certificates, and retail items for raffle prizes. The “golden ticket” prize was a luxury vacation package in which the winner could choose from four destinations, with 125,000 air miles donated by American Airlines in honor of the organization's 125 years of service.
They were joined by Dallas County Commissioner, Dr. Elba Garcia, who applauded the organization’s commitment, “We never turn away a family from services due to inability to pay. (Child & Family Guidance Center) has a group of people committed to making a difference in every single part of the community where help is needed,” she said.
“Today is our day to say thank you for 125 years of ensuring that thousands of children and adults in our community who have nowhere else to go can find help; these are families who have given up and never considered their lives could be put together again,” Andy Wolfskill, CEO said. "We are grateful to The Crystal Charity Ball for funding the renovation of our center, to include an on-site pharmacy for our clients. Their funding has enabled us to get one step closer to becoming the one-stop, mental health hub we aspire to be."
During the celebration, tours were provided of the renovated facility. The Crystal Charity Ball grant also allowed the center to expand programming to address the rising need for mental health services among youth in the community, including the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver Program. In addition to individual and family counseling, psychiatric services, and medication management, the YES Waiver Program’s 100 clients receive intensive case management, skills training, access to specialized therapies, and other services to help them find stability. The YES Waiver Program uses a wraparound approach, which means services are not only provided to the child but their family as well. Caregivers are asked to invite other formative figures in the child or adolescent’s life to form a team. The team members, usually consisting of the child’s caregivers and other individuals such as coaches, teachers, mentors, youth pastors, and neighbors become part of the child’s treatment plan. While the child receives the services deemed necessary per his or her treatment plan, the team meets once a month to review the plan and provide feedback on what is working and areas of improvement. The team also receives training and support to ensure the child’s treatment plan is effective in all areas of his or her life (home, school, the community).
“In a year when we have seen an alarming 30 percent increase in severe mental health crises among children and youth, we invite you to learn more about the work we are doing and ask you to consider supporting our critical services,” Diana Rodriguez, Director of Development said. “Every year we are asked to do more and more with less and less. With the increase in need, we are ramping up efforts to provide more with our new FaN (Fund-A-Need) Club." Donors can give monthly tax-deductible donations of any amount to support mental healthcare for uninsured individuals who do not have the ability to pay for vital services.