A Newtown resident and decades-long advocate for children’s health and wellness is being honored by the Families Network of Western Connecticut at the agency’s upcoming Annual Dr Robert C. and Nancy Joy Luncheon.

Dr Jack S.C. Fong, MD, will be presented with the Dr Alvin Goldman Community Service Award during the event, scheduled for Wednesday, April 26 from 11:30 am to 2 pm at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. Caroline LaFleur will also be honored that day with the Jeannie C. Beck Above & Beyond Award.

A highlight of the luncheon will be stories of parents who have overcome obstacles to create home environments where children can thrive, with the help of services and supports they received from Families Network. The agency celebrates 25 years of providing child abuse prevention services to the Greater Danbury area at this luncheon.

The mission of Families Network of Western Connecticut is to safeguard children through parent education and support for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. It is committed to ensuring that families receive the support they need to get their children off to a safe and healthy start.

Following a nearly quarter-century career at Danbury Hospital, Fong continued to serve local young people as the School Medical Advisor for Danbury Public Schools and New Fairfield Public Schools. He currently serves on Families Network’s Advisory Board, the Board of Directors at Leir Retreat Center in Ridgefield, and is also on the advisory board at Immaculate High School in Danbury.

Prior to his retirement, Fong was the chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Danbury Hospital from 1985 to 2009. He is a fellow of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the New York Academy of Medicine, as well as a member of the American Association of Immunologists and Clinical Immunology Society.

“Dr Fong has been a staunch supporter of Families Network since our inception, always at the ready for an impromptu consult, to advise on policy, share the latest science, or make presentations to staff and client families alike,” said Susan Giglio, executive director of Families Network. “His long-term advocacy for our organization and the families we serve has been invaluable to the longevity of Families Network, and we’re so thankful for his continued support.”

Fong told The Newtown Bee April 3, that being honored with the Dr Alvin Goldman Community Service Award is “very humbling.”

“I have a lot of help and support from my department and staff,” he added. “It is something that never ends. There are always parents and newborns.”

Fong emphasized how important it is that people do what they can to allow the next generations to prosper.

“We need to help our children, nurture them, guide them, and inspire them … so children can grow up to be productive. Otherwise, humanity won’t be able to continue,” he said.

Other accolades Fong has received over the years include being Danbury Hospital Foundation’s 2006 recipient of the Heart of Gold Award for his making a difference in the lives of children.

He additionally received Western Connecticut State University’s 2005 President’s Medal for his dedication to teaching nursing students, involving Green Chimneys — a residential treatment center for children with psychological problems in Brewster, N.Y. — as part of the nursing program, and his status as the only outside member on the Institution Review Board of the university.

He also was a medical advisor and board member with Come True of Western Connecticut, an organization whose mission is to fulfill the dreams of children with chronic, debilitating, or fatal illness.

Honor Volunteers

This year’s Jeannie C. Beck Above & Beyond Award will be presented to Caroline LaFleur, a Families Network volunteer who has provided help to the agency in developing its social media presence, updating its website, and releasing an annual report. Before retiring in 2021, LaFleur worked for United Way of Western Connecticut and Danbury Children First.

“Caroline’s can-do spirit and tireless efforts to meticulously create marketing materials to amplify our social media presence have truly elevated Families Network’s public image. She skillfully conveys all the ways in which Families Network continues to make a difference in the lives of those we serve,” Giglio said. “We’re incredibly grateful to her and Dr Fong both and are delighted to have this opportunity to honor these two remarkable people.”

Families Network holds this lunch annually to honor volunteers and shine a light on community efforts to prevent child abuse. The event is typically held in April to commemorate National Child Abuse Prevention Month, The Week of the Young Child (April 1 to 7), and National Volunteer Week (April 16 to 22).

Tickets for the luncheon are $50 and must be purchased by April 17. To purchase tickets and view sponsorship levels, go to fnwc.org or bit.ly/fnwclunch2023 — or call 203-791-8773.

For questions, contact Susan Giglio, executive director of Families Network of Western Connecticut, at 203-791-8773.

About Families Network of Western Connecticut

Families Network of Western Connecticut (FNWC) has been supporting families in Greater Danbury for 25 years. It is dedicated to ensuring that all families receive the support they need to get their children off to a safe and healthy start.

Programs include home visitation services to new parents and parents with children under age 5 who may need some extra support, parenting groups to help parents explore aspects of family nurturing, the Fatherhood Initiative, and the Parent Leadership Training Institute. FNWC is a 501(c)(3) organization, with no fees for the services provided.

Reporter Alissa Silber contributed to this press release and can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.