Family Services of Westchester Raises $1 Million to Meet Challenge Grant
One year ago Family Services of Westchester (FSW) kicked off a capital campaign in an effort to raise $1 million to meet the Lanza Family Foundation Challenge Grant to create an intergenerational facility in White Plains. FSW is pleased to announce that the non-profit raised the $1 million ahead of schedule and is now in contract to purchase a building on North Broadway in White Plains.
“We are so excited that we succeeded in raising matching funds and that we are moving ahead to create an innovative program that will serve the Central and Lower Westchester communities,” notes Susan B. Wayne, President and CEO of FSW. “We are so grateful to Pat Lanza and her family foundation for their generous donation, which was the catalyst for this worthwhile endeavor,” adds Wayne. “The task seemed daunting at first, but we did it and we are so appreciative of our Board and all the foundation and individual donors who helped us meet the Challenge,” notes Lynn Green, Vice President of Development for FSW.
A total of 141 donors whose gifts ranged from $25 to $150,000 helped FSW meet the $1 million goal.
FSW has hired Dennis Noskin Architects in Tarrytown to create architectural plans for the new facility, which will accommodate 40 seniors in an adult day program, teen initiatives and three early childhood Pre-K classrooms. “We will be hiring a contractor to renovate the interior and exterior so we can modernize and aesthetically improve the site, retrofit the space to meet our needs and ensure that it is safe,” notes Green.
FSW’s new Lanza Family Center for all Ages, which is modeled on the nonprofit’s highly successful intergenerational adult day program in Mount Kisco called My Second Home, will hopefully open in early 2014, which aligns with FSW’s 60th anniversary. “Although we have met the challenge, there are still plenty of opportunities to give prior to opening the Center’s doors,” notes Green. “We are eager for anyone who wants to be part of this groundbreaking endeavor to contact us.”
The Center will include an adult day program with caregiver support, Early Childhood Education, Big Brothers Big Sisters activities as well as after-school and summer programs for youth and teens. The custom-designed facility will provide toddlers and preschoolers the opportunity to learn in a bright, inviting space and teens the chance to enjoy healthy recreation after school and on weekends as well as programs to hone their leadership skills. For older adults, the Center will provide socialization and stimulation in a safe, homelike environment.
Staff members throughout FSW are thrilled to see the project moving forward. “It is wonderful that residents of lower Westchester, who have not been able to take advantage of the adult day care and intergenerational programming at My Second Home because Mount Kisco is simply too far away, will now have an opportunity to participate,” said Rina Bellamy, Director of My Second Home. Darlene Glasel, Senior Director of FSW’s Early Childhood programs, added that “allowing our youngsters to interact with seniors on a daily basis will offer a unique dimension to the educational and enrichment opportunities we already provide. This is especially important since many of our children live far away from their own grandparents.”
To learn more about funding opportunities at the Center call 914-305-6875, or e-mail lgreen@fsw.org.
