Family & Children’s Agency is a Stop & Shop Community Bag Program nonprofit partner!

FCA will receive $1 for each $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold during the month of
September 2024 at the 385 Connecticut Avenue store in Norwalk.

Consign/Donate: October 1 - 3
Sale: October 5 - 7

Minks to Sinks is the ultimate treasure hunt where you can discover amazing deals on pre-loved items for your home, wardrobe, and more! From chic clothing to stylish home decor, you'll find it all under one roof. All proceeds benefit FCA and help neighbors right here in our community.

Do you have gently used items that could use a new home? Don't toss them! Donate or consign them with us, and let someone else fall in love with your stuff!

Let's make this the most memorable Minks to Sinks yet! Join us for a day of shopping, laughter, and awesome finds. Who knows, you might just stumble upon your next favorite thing!

More info

Latest Aim High grants to bring awards total to $11.55 million over eight years

The New York Life Foundation and the Afterschool Alliance today announced $1.8 million in new grants to 40 afterschool, summer, and expanded learning programs serving disadvantaged middle school youth. The funds will go to organizations across the United States. These latest grants bring the total of New York Life Foundation’s support for out-of-school time (OST) programs to $11.55 million over the eight years of its Aim High program. The Aim High grant initiative is part of New York Life Foundation’s ongoing investment in OST programs to help middle school youth in under-resourced communities reach the 9th grade on time and better prepared for high school.

Half of this year’s 40 grants go to OST programs that support social justice, and to programs dedicated to supporting youth entrepreneurship and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. The remaining grants focus on supporting OST programs’ work to help students transition successfully to the 9th grade. Awarded through a competitive process, the 2024 Aim High grants are going to OST organizations in 21 states: Arizona; California; Connecticut; Washington, DC; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; Nebraska; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Ohio; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Texas; Virginia; and Wyoming.

“Students today face significant academic, social, and emotional challenges, and OST programs provide much-needed support. These programs have a proven track record of helping students do better in school and build the skills they need for their future success,” said Heather Nesle, president of the New York Life Foundation, one of the largest corporate funders of bereavement support, and Afterschool Alliance board member. “This year, we’re particularly excited to have added grants focused on entrepreneurship, offering opportunities for young people to launch their own businesses, explore careers, and nurture entrepreneurial mindsets, while developing teamwork, planning, and problem-solving skills in the process. All this is invaluable for youth as they prepare for high school, higher education, and careers.”

Research shows that participation in high-quality afterschool, expanded day, and summer programs leads to greater academic achievement, better school attendance, and more engaged students.

“As afterschool and summer learning programs struggle with rising costs and federal pandemic relief winds down, the New York Life Foundation’s Aim High grant program provides an enormous boost to these programs and the students they serve,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “The Afterschool Alliance is honored to continue partnering on this effort. These new grants will help 40 extraordinary programs do even more to support middle school students. We congratulate this year’s award recipients and thank the New York Life Foundation for its commitment and generosity.”

We are grateful to be able to announce that Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) has been awarded a significant grant from The Community Fund of Darien. This generous contribution will directly support our ASPIRE after-school and summer program, an essential initiative that provides academic engagement, parent education, social skill-building, and career exploration for the youth in our community.

The ASPIRE program is a cornerstone of FCA’s mission to empower young people by providing them with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. This grant will enable us to continue offering comprehensive services that address the diverse needs of our students:

• Academic Engagement: Through tutoring, homework help, and enrichment activities, we strive to foster a love of learning and improve academic performance.
• Parent Education: Workshops and resources for parents ensure they are equipped to support their children's educational journey and overall well-being.
• Social Skill-Building: Interactive activities and group sessions help students develop crucial social skills, enhancing their ability to navigate various social situations.
• Career Exploration: Exposure to different careers through guest speakers, field trips, and hands-on experiences opens up new possibilities for our students’ futures.

The Community Fund of Darien has truly made a positive change in our community. Learn more about this year's record-setting grant - the largest grant volume in the organization's 73-year history - in the news here. We are honored to be among the organizations benefiting from their dedication to community betterment.

Thank you to The Community Fund of Darien and our generous individual donors for believing in our mission and for helping us create a stronger, more supportive community.

As our community continues to battle the opioid epidemic, a new and alarming substance is making its presence known: xylazine (sometimes called tranq). Originally intended as a veterinary medication for sedating large animals, xylazine is not approved for human use. Yet, it has found its way into illicit drug supplies, posing a significant threat to public health and safety.

Xylazine is a potent tranquilizer used primarily in veterinary medicine to sedate animals such as horses and cattle. In humans, xylazine acts as a central nervous system depressant, producing profound sedation and muscle relaxation. Its effects can mimic those of opioids, which has led to its illicit use as an adulterant in street drugs.

One of the most troubling aspects of xylazine is that many individuals who consume it do so unknowingly. Dealers often mix xylazine with heroin, fentanyl, or other substances to enhance the sedative effects. This covert mixing significantly raises the risk of overdose and adverse reactions, as users are unaware of the additional dangers they face.

Narcan (naloxone) is a well-known antidote for opioid overdoses, capable of reversing the life-threatening effects of drugs like heroin and fentanyl. However, Narcan has no effect on xylazine. This means that in cases of xylazine overdose, the life-saving benefits of Narcan are rendered useless, leaving individuals at a higher risk of fatal outcomes.

At Family & Children's Agency, we have begun to see people testing positive for xylazine through our Project REWARD program. This upward trend underscores the urgency of raising awareness about the dangers of this drug and the importance of accurate testing and diagnosis.

“Xylazine is a significant concern for treatment providers right now, on par with fentanyl. The risk of overdose increases dramatically when xylazine is mixed into other substances, and most people are unaware that this drug is even present in the community. In the same manner that providers have increased awareness of the dangers of fentanyl, increasing awareness of xylazine’s presence and its life-threatening qualities is paramount to reducing the harm it causes in our community,” said Jessica Vivenzio, Director, Behavioral Health at Family & Children’s Agency.

Symptoms of xylazine overdose include severe respiratory depression, hypotension, bradycardia, necrosis, and prolonged sedation. Naloxone can reverse the effect of opioids and will not cause harm if opioids are not involved in an overdose, so Narcan should be given in any case of overdose. However, because it will not address the impact of xylazine on breathing, the effects of xylazine may continue after Narcan is given.

The rise of xylazine in the drug supply is a reminder of the evolving challenges substance use disorder poses. At Family & Children's Agency, we are committed to educating our community about the risks associated with xylazine and advocating for effective treatment and support for those affected. Increased awareness, better testing, and informed responses are crucial steps in mitigating the impact of this dangerous drug.

By staying informed and vigilant, we can work together to protect our community and support those in need.

FCA was recently featured in the Norwalk Hour in their story about xylazine and kratom. You can read it here.

For more information on xylazine and its effects, please visit the CDC’s website.

For more information about FCA’s Behavioral Health programs and Project REWARD program for women overcoming substance use disorder please click here.

As the back-to-school season approaches, Family & Children's Agency (FCA) is proud to announce our annual School Supply Drive. This year, we aim to provide 370 new backpacks to students in need, each filled with essential, age-appropriate school supplies.

Our goal is to alleviate the financial burden on families by ensuring every child is equipped with the tools they need for a successful academic year. Each backpack will be tailored to the recipient's age and filled with items such as crayons, pencils, pens, spiral notebooks, folders, composition books, pencil cases, scissors, and scientific calculators.

Back-to-school time is an exciting period for students, but it can also bring significant stress for families as the costs of supplies add up. FCA is committed to supporting our community by reducing this financial strain and helping every student start the school year with confidence.

Join us in making a difference. Your support can help a child begin school prepared and ready to learn.

Click here to view the wish list and contribute to the drive.

FCA is excited to welcome Sean McMurtry to our Board of Directors.

Sean, who grew up and currently lives in Greenwich, is a member of FCA’s Junior Board of Advisors and was a co-Chair of FCA’s IMAGINE benefit in 2024.

Sean attended Hobart and William Smith Colleges and received a Bachelor of Arts with honors in Economics and Latin American Studies. He began his career in institutional banking for Bank of America Merrill Lynch and then worked for the State Bank of Chile, at which he was an emerging market fixed income research analyst and trader, before moving on to a fixed income product specialist role at AllianceBernstein LP. His final corporate role was for AXA Investment Managers as an Investment Specialist for investment grade and high yield debt strategies. He is currently a licensed real estate agent and manages his family’s private investments and charitable efforts.

Philanthropy is a core tenet of Sean and his family’s identity. He and his husband are actively involved in various educational and humanitarian organizations and Sean currently sits on the Board of Directors of Greenwich United Way. Sean has a special connection to FCA as his mother began her second career with the organization as a social worker in Foster Care and is now a manager in IICAPS.

We are excited to have Sean on the Board and grateful to have his leadership and guidance!

Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) is proud to support members of the LGBTQIA+ community in all our programs. For many LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, the journey to parenthood can be filled with unique challenges and barriers, but FCA’s adoption program stands as a beacon of hope and inclusivity. Our commitment is deeply rooted in our belief that every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves the opportunity to build a loving and supportive family.

Our experienced and compassionate team ensures that all prospective parents receive the guidance and support they need throughout the adoption process. From the initial inquiry to post-adoption services, we are here to navigate the complexities and celebrate the joys of forming a family. Our inclusive approach has enabled many LGBTQIA+ families to experience the profound fulfillment of parenthood, fostering homes filled with love, understanding, and acceptance. One such family is Nick and Byron:

"We are beyond grateful to share our incredible journey to parenthood, made possible by the remarkable support of Family & Children's Agency who made us feel seen, heard and proud of who we are and the family we’ve always dreamed to build. As a gay couple, the journey was not without its share of storms but we could not have received a brighter rainbow than the vibrant hues of joy we feel each day as parents to our son. FCA’s commitment to inclusivity and dedication to matching us with the right birth mother was evident at every step, bringing us our biggest blessing. Although our family may look different from others, we hope to pass along a sense of self-worth, self-acceptance and assurance that the same love which brought us together will also support our son’s infinite possibilities," they said.

As we honor Pride Month, we celebrate the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. We are proud to be a part of their journey and committed to advocating for their rights to build families. FCA remains steadfast in our mission to support all individuals in creating strong, nurturing, and loving homes.

Together, we can continue to foster an environment where every family, regardless of its composition, is celebrated and cherished.

Happy Pride Month from all of us at FCA!

Norwalk, Conn. –On Monday, June 17, a group of approximately 60 attorneys and business professionals from Shipman & Goodwin LLP (Shipman) got together for their annual day of volunteerism and community service, this year at ASPIRE, an after-school and summer program for middle and high-school students run by Fairfield County’s Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Throughout the day, the volunteers engaged in a variety of tasks essential to improving the environment for students who will be attending the ASPIRE program at FCA’s Ben Franklin location throughout the summer. Working side by side with FCA’s dedicated and energetic staff, the Shipman team tackled landscaping, painting, cleaning, organizing, and assembling furniture, all aimed at making the space welcoming and comfortable for the students who arrive in the coming weeks.

“We are incredibly grateful to the dedicated volunteers from Shipman & Goodwin LLP for choosing FCA as their Lawyer’s Retreat volunteer activity and their outstanding efforts at our Ben Franklin location. Their hard work has made our space better prepared to welcome our clients and support the essential work of our ASPIRE after-school and summer program. Shipman showcases the power of community and partnership in creating a positive environment for those we serve,” said Robert F. Cashel, President & CEO of Family & Children’s Agency.

"Our volunteers enjoyed a great day, and we were happy to be able to help make a tangible difference," said Richard Cohen, Chair of the Lawyers Retreat planning committee at Shipman. "We hope our efforts and enhancements will have a positive impact on the students and families who rely on these services, and we were thrilled to be able to partner with FCA – the day could not have gone better."

Location:
Brooklawn Country Club
500 Algonquin Road
Fairfield, CT

Mark your calendars and practice your swing for Family & Children's Agency's (FCA) Golf Classic!

Enjoy the rolling hills, lush greens, and picturesque water hazards at this incredible course while supporting FCA's vital community services. Whether you're competitive on the course or just in for a day of fun, this event brings golf enthusiasts together for an incredible cause.

We are thrilled to welcome special guest Ian O’Connor, the New York Times bestselling author. He will join journalist and author Armen Keteyian to discuss his latest book, “Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers.”

Golf Classic
▪ Registration & Warm-Up: 10:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
▪ Lunch: 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
▪ Shotgun Start: 12:00 p.m.
▪ Cocktails, Dinner, and Awards: 5:00 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, Tuesday, October 1, 2024 will be the alternate date.

For more information, please contact Janina Serrao, Director of Development, at JSerrao@fcagency.org or call 203-855-8765.

Sponsorships and Information Printable Sponsorship Packet