Family Counseling Center Celebrates 20 Years

By Dottie Evans

Newtown’s Family Counseling Center has marked its 20th year providing affordable services to clients in the greater Danbury and Southbury area.

Monday night’s annual meeting at the Cyrenius Booth Library was an opportunity for Board Chairman Glenn Nanavaty to thank supporters, volunteers, and staff alike, and his remarks reflected gratitude, affection, and a sense of achievement.

“Over the years, we are so fortunate to have had the help of many volunteers and staff,” said Mr Nanavaty, speaking from the podium for the last time as board chairman.

After serving six years on the board and two years as chairman, Mr Nanavaty will be stepping down. Board member Joseph Humeston will take his place.

 “It has been a significant year,” said Treasurer Bruce Walczak, as he handed out the summarized budget for the 2003–2004 fiscal year showing total revenues and expenditures balancing out at $490,845.

“These figures reflect our commitment to spending funds raised and reinvesting them back into the center,” Mr Walczak said.

Statistics for the year 2002 released by the board indicated that the Family Counseling Center had seen a total of 639 “unduplicated” clients and had logged a total of 2,772 individual, couple, and family session hours.

The top five most common presenting problems were depression, acting out behaviors, anxiety, substance abuse, and compulsive behaviors. Clients were drawn from a full range of educational backgrounds, from those having no high school degree to those with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

The greatest percentage of clients, or 28 percent, fell into the category of “student,” and those individuals who earned $13,000 a year or less represented 29 percent of the total number of clients.

A large proportion, or 60 percent, were between the ages of 30 and 50, and females outnumbered males, 59 percent to 41 percent.

In 2002, the Family Counseling Center provided 114 hours of court mandated parent education classes for families undergoing divorce and separation, and it delivered nearly 60 hours of counseling for those in various community programs seeking to re-enter the workplace.

Cake, Roses, And Thank-Yous

After the annual report had been presented, Family Counseling Center Director Terry Blackmer stepped forward to present awards and recognize outgoing board members. She expressed pleasure in what she called the center’s current “sound financial footing,” and she said she felt the 20-year anniversary marked the beginning of a new era.

“Hopefully we are now in a position to fund new programs beyond the 12-month budget period,” Ms Blackmer said.

She thanked Mr Nanavaty for his “steady leadership,” and handed out roses to Nancy Obremski, chairman of the Holiday Festival over the past two years.

Dr Michael Schwarzchild, a clinical psychologist with a practice in Brookfield, is leaving the board after serving six years, and he was recognized by outgoing chairman Nanavaty.

“In some ways, I’ve been a thorn in Glenn’s side,” Dr Schwarzchild commented, “but you can’t imagine the changes that have happened over the past six years.”

“He brought a depth of knowledge of clinical and social issues… and his wry commentary will be missed,” replied Mr Nanavaty.

The 2003 HD Award, named for HD Basset, former longtime volunteer and board member, was given to the Newtown Rotary Club for its “constant support and especially for the annual golf tournament the club sponsors every fall. Half the proceeds are donated to benefit the Family Counseling Center,” Ms Blackmer said.

Staff Appreciation Award went to office manager Kathy L., whose organizational skills and welcoming presence have enhanced the reception area, Ms Blackmer said.

Guest speaker for the evening was attorney Robert F. Field, Public Defender for the Judicial District of Danbury. His topic was, “Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System.”

Modest Beginnings To Meet The Need

The idea for a local counseling center in Newtown was born after a group of individuals belonging to Newtown’s Trinity Church Outreach Commission realized there needed to be a way to help provide affordable counseling, educational, and support services over a broad communitywide base.

After the original funding was provided by Trinity’s Outreach Group, the center opened its doors in 1983 in the old Wheeler shopping center (now the Big Y) on Queen Street.

As the needs were recognized and the mission began to include individuals living beyond the Newtown community, the facility outgrew its space and moved to Glen Road in Sandy Hook.

Guided by a group of volunteer directors, and after hard work on the part of center staff and volunteers, the center qualified as an independent agency to receive financial support from the United Way of Northern Fairfield County.

The Holiday Festival, a major fundraiser for the Family Counseling Center, continues to provide important support alongside contributions by community groups such as United Way, Newtown Rotary, Newtown Savings Bank, Union Savings Bank, The Savings Bank of Danbury, and the towns of Newtown and Brookfield.

In 1997, the agency changed its name from the Family Life Center to the Family Counseling Center and that same year, moved to its present location at 121 Mt Pleasant Road.

The center is now a state-licensed and nationally accredited mental health counseling agency with a staff of eight clinicians under the guidance of Clinical Director Kimberly Scott. Ms Scott is a full-time therapist who joined the agency a year ago.

Consulting psychiatrist is Dr Luiz Perez.

(As with many nonprofit agencies, the Family Counseling Center provides services regardless of ability to pay. Anyone wishing to know more about the center may log onto the website: familycounselingcenter.net or phone 426-8103.)