Date: Fri 01-Oct-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Judy-Benson-family-counseling

Full Text:

Agency Director Leaves Behind A Well-Wrought Foundation Of Service

(with photo)

BY STEE BIGHAM

Judy Benson took over an agency still in its infancy when she first arrived at

the Family Counseling Center back in 1988. Later this month, she'll depart

after having led the non-profit center to where it is today - fully licensed,

fully accredited, and fully prepared to meet the needs of individuals and

families of Newtown and the Greater Danbury area.

"I feel like I've helped install the foundation. Now the Family Counseling

Center is ready to move on to the next level. It's an exciting time," Mrs

Benson said earlier this week.

Mrs Benson and her husband, Ron, are headed to Aurora, Ill., later this month,

where he will take over as dean of the business school at Aurora College.

Chosen to take over the Family Counseling Center is Terry Blackmer, currently

the director of professional services at Catholic Family Services in Danbury.

She brings knowledge of the area and 20 years of clinical experience to the

position. Ms Blackmer is due to arrive October 8, and Mrs Benson will depart a

week later, taking memories and a feeling of accomplishment with her.

"Judy Benson is synonymous with the Family Counseling Center," noted former

Board of Directors chairman John Martocci. "She has been the driving force in

bringing the organization where it is today."

Those who worked closely with Mrs Benson said she was skilled in motivating

people and getting them involved. She was able to get many things done in

addition to her expertise in the business.

"She made the business grow up in a sense," Mr Martocci said.

Former board chairman Mike Snyder agreed.

"It was a pleasure to work with her. Besides doing this paid job, she was

involved in volunteer work herself," he said. "Judy served on the Newtown Fund

board and another board at Trinity Church. She worked for non-profits and

volunteered for other non-profits."

The Family Counseling Center (previously known as the Family Life Center) was

started in 1983 after residents identified the need for an affordable family

outreach service within the community. In those early days, the center had

little money, a part-time psychiatrist and an annual budget of less than

$90,000. The center's services consisted mostly of counseling, workshops and

support groups.

By the early 1990s, under the direction of Mrs Benson, the Family Counseling

Center undertook the challenge of going from a small organization to one

suited to meet the needs of all residents.

"From there, we really started to grow and we realized that the agency needed

to be licensed and accredited. But how do you attain that goal? We never had

much money. You need to be licensed in order to receive medical

reimbursement," she said.

Almost half the patients do not have health insurance, but no patient has ever

been turned away.

In 1992, the agency became fully licensed and received national accreditation

in 1996.

The hallmark of the center is it will always be there as an option for those

in need. "It can be hard to admit you need help or I can't handle this," Mrs

Benson said. "If they've called for help, then we need someone here to respond

to that need."

And that help is there seven days a week, 24 hours a day, although the agency

prefers to set up appointments with clients.

Today, the center continues to rely on a very tight budget, getting by on

limited space and adorning its office with used furniture and old computers. A

lack of money has been frustrating at times for this 12-member staff. But

overcoming the challenges was, in part, what helped to make Mrs Benson's stint

so rewarding.

"We've had wonderful support from the community," she said. "Newtown has

always been willing to pitch in and help people in very quiet and significant

ways."

The support has come from people like John Martocci, Mike Snyder, Gary Fetzer,

Bob Walker, Alan Clavette, Brian White and many others, including a handful of

local businesses. Mrs Benson holds a special place in her heart for the late

Bernal Hertberg, who was president of the board of directors from 1983-84 and

1985-88 and helped keep the center on its feet during the early years.

"It was her life passion. She knew the importance of a place like this.

Without her help, this may have never happened," Mrs Benson said. "She manned

the office for a time before I got here and she always did it with style."

Many community members are currently preparing for the 14th annual Holiday

Festival December 5, a major fund-raiser for the Family Counseling Center.

Mrs Benson, who comes from a nursing background, has spent much of her life

treating mental illness. For her, the real pleasure is seeing someone who,

through therapy, is able to regain control of his life.

And at the Family Counseling Center, there is a sense of teamwork which helps

make it a success. From office manager JoAnne Klopfenstein, to the team of

therapists and counselors, to full-time psychiatrist Jonathan Greenfield, and

on up to the executive director, this team is dedicated to treating those in

need.

Stephanie Gaston has been involved in the Holiday Festival ever since she and

her husband, Jim, moved to town several years ago. She worked closely with Mrs

Benson on each project.

"She's really been a great person. It's going to be hard to fill her shoes,"

Mrs Gaston said. "She's done so much more than what most people are aware of.

For Judy, it was much more than a 9-to-5 job at the center. Much of what she

did was not part of her job description."