Family Services of Westchester Youth Grant

New Youth Grant Awarded to the Family Services of Westchester

Family Services of Westchester (FSW), a nonprofit social services agency that provides mental health and social services for families, teens, children, and the elderly, was awarded a grant from the Westchester Community Foundation, a division of The New York Community Trust. This $20,000 award will encourage engagement and collaboration in two of their Youth Services departments. This includes the FSW Youth Council and FSW Youth Forum.

“While the Youth Forum participants have endured emotional and complex living situations, they have the potential to change their community given supportive tools and guidance,” said Patrick Schelle, MSW, Director of Youth Programs at FSW. He added, “We look forward to exposing them to advocacy, positive community engagement and opportunities. This will also help them use their voice to facilitate positive change. Additionally, Youth Council allows them to learn from each other and bring different perspectives to the table.”

What is the Youth Councils Programs?

The Youth Councils program empowers Westchester youth ( ages 10-18). Through their programs, young people are encouraged to lead and participate in community service projects they feel strongly about. Additionally, this includes a focus on education, the environment, social justice and mental health by teaching them to use their voice.

Additionally, the program works to help young people with their self-confidence as well as empowers them make a difference. This may involve working in the community, address local injustices, and reaching out to political leaders. Additional opportunities include developing their leadership and advocacy skills to help them to become changemakers in Westchester.

Firstly, the Youth Forum program supports young people (ages 16-23) who have had difficult life experiences. Secondly, they may have received or currently receive mental health services. Some may have experiences in out-of-home placements. Finally, this may also include foster care or residential programs. Thus, young people become self-sufficient and develop the skills. Overtime, this helps them to transition to independent living. Additionally, the forum is peer-driven. Through the program, participants support for each other. Additionally, they learn how to become advocates for their own needs.

According to “J,” a member of Youth Forum, “This program has really helped me learn a lot and I’m one of the youngest members. I feel that it is preparing me for what I will need as I get older. Also, not only do we work on these important topics of independence, we are able to socialize. We have fun, too!”

Additionally, they host fun events such as their bi-weekly Knowledge Nights, Here, young people gather information to learn about the resources and the develop the skills needed to help foster their own independence.

More about the FSW

Founded in 1954, FSW serves 30,000 individuals annually in Westchester. This includes a staff of social workers, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, child care workers, nurses, and home health aides. Additionally, the work with multilingual clinicians, peer counselors and early childhood educators.

Additionally, the FSW has seven Family Mental Health Centers. This includes offices in Hastings-on-Hudson; Mount Vernon; Pelham; Port Chester; Sleepy Hollow; White Plains; and Yonkers.

Incredibly, all of the centers are licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health. They provide comprehensive mental and behavioral health services.

Additional services include adoption and children’s services; foster care; HIV/AIDS resources; veterans outreach and support; restortive justice programs; and more.

Finally, FSW is always looking for volunteers. Interested businesses and families can host a drive to see what is needed; join their Junior Board for young professionals and emerging leaders; join their Westchester County Youth Councils,; drive older adults to appointments and shopping trips; and/or host a fundraising event.