With the holiday season nearing, it is the perfect time to honor the holiday spirit by giving back to the community. Whether that is through donating your time or your resources, there are ample opportunities to make a positive impact and give back to those who work actively to serve us. Being an intern of the Scarsdale Business Alliance, I have been able to see organizations of the Scarsdale community that work fervently throughout the year to help the community and make meaningful changes. Specifically, I have gained firsthand insight into how the Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service, a non-profit, strives to make a difference through its unique programs.
Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Services is not limited in its initiatives, working to meet the needs of individuals of all ages by providing them with the encouragement and assistance to improve their well-being and foster healthier relationships. As said by Jay Genova, the organization’s Executive Director, “Having access to quality mental health services reduces the risk of school and community violence,” showing how the organization’s work is instrumental in protecting and strengthening the community.
One of the ways they strive to help is through implementing programs at Scarsdale schools from elementary to high school, in which counselors and Youth Outreach Workers provide guidance to students, helping them navigate both the turbulent and exciting moments of adolescence. By providing young adults with a welcoming and trustful environment, these professionals in mental health hope to give teens and tweens an outlet to overcome the inherent obstacles that arise from growing up, including those related to bullying, healthy relationships, and social life. SFCS also educates and helps parents of tweens and teens by providing them access to trained outreach workers and therapists through their unique program of parenting groups for parents of middle and high schoolers. In this way, SFCS works to provide parents with strategies and ways to direct their children through their adolescent years in a manner that embraces open communication, trust, and love.
James Genova also shared that “Family” is not just a clever word in our name. It defines who we care for and what we do.” With the belief that healthy family dynamics are the cornerstone of healthy communities, SFCS provides services that walk families through their complex challenges, finding solutions to underlying issues. In counseling, licensed mental health practitioners help families or couples develop coping strategies and problem-solving skills to promote empathy and build stronger relationships. Creating these nurturing and loving environments within the household is imperative to promoting the overall well-being of individuals and improving their mental health.
Recognizing the trials and tribulations of individuals across various ages, SFCS’ “Aging in Place” program hopes to help individuals maintain their independence as they age. Through providing individuals with emotional assistance, education, in-home assessment, and referral services, this program acknowledges and combats older adults’ struggles, helping them maintain their autonomy while meeting their personal needs.
In talking to Board Vice President Amy Nadasdi, I became deeply inspired by how SFCS works to help members of the Scarsdale community. While discussing the organization’s challenges, I learned that the most significant difficulty they face is not from their array of roles and responsibilities but rather in receiving donations. With SFCS being a non-profit, some services are provided to recipients for free, such as Aging in Place, while others are offered on a sliding scale. However, to grow as an organization and allow these services to occur, SFCS relies on the community’s donations and support. The organization has two fundraisers a year. These fundraisers include their annual letter-writing campaign and the spring gala, which will be held on May 15th. However, you can also donate directly on their website. With the holiday season entering, SFCS would greatly appreciate your support and generosity so they can continue to promote the well-being of individuals and make a difference in the community.
Through providing services to individuals of all ages, SFCS hopes to create a new foundation for the Scarsdale community built on the essence of solidarity and empowerment. As we enter this joyous holiday season, we must continue to expand on the gifts of community and support for each other in difficult times. With the Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service being a non-profit that continuously works to embody the spirit of giving, your contributions can immensely impact their ability to continue their incredible work.
Link to donate: https://www.sfcsinc.org/you-can-help-sfcs
Written by Daniela Fogliano, Scarsdale Youth Business Alliance Member and senior at the School of the Holy Child.