Welcoming families and walking with them in the neighborhoods where they live and work is a top priority for the nonprofit Child &Family Service (CFS).
Welcoming families and walking with them in the neighborhoods where they live and work is a top priority for the nonprofit Child &Family Service (CFS).
That’s why the organization opened the CFS Hilo Family Center, to provide a full range of family strengthening services to meet the needs of the Hilo community.
Child &Family Service celebrated the opening of the new center during a blessing and open house Nov. 17 at the facility at 1045A Kilauea Ave.
According to Howard Garval, president and CEO of Child &Family Service, the CFS Hilo Family Center is a one-stop place for area families to find the resources they need for their family needs, ranging from clothing or supplies for their children, to counseling and nurturing parenting skills, to help with developing skills for financial independence and completing job applications.
“It is said that it takes a community to raise a child, and the CFS Hilo Family Center brings together the help and assistance that families may need, all under one roof,” Garval said. “We focus on the family and help them not only during times of crisis, but also through comprehensive services that promote well-being and involve the families in building a stronger community.”
Garval said CFS is one of the state’s largest nonprofits, with more than 18 programs offered on Hawaii Island to help families deal with serious issues such as abuse and neglect.
Families may come to the center for a single need but also receive access to the full range of CFS services, he noted.
Heidi Koop, director of Hawaii Island Programs for CFS, added families visiting the new center will find a welcoming atmosphere, with comfortable seating and an activity center for children.
The center also features weekly coffee hour sessions open to the public. There, participants can learn about topics ranging from skin care to water safety, to résumé preparation or filling out housing applications, while enjoying group activities such as cookie decorating and movie events.
“We view parents as our partners in helping to design services and encourage families to help each other,” Koop said. “The CFS Hilo Family Center is a place where families can come and get the help they may need, while also building relationships with other area families.”
Koop noted CFS is working with other community organizations and public sector partners to facilitate access to the wide range of family resources in the Hilo area. CFS addresses serious issues such as abuse and neglect, with life-changing results. CFS family strengthening services include caring for keiki, empowering youth, helping families to heal from trauma and honoring kupuna and their caregivers.
“Child &Family Service instills hope that gives families the courage to change. We partner with Hawaii families to address serious life issues, with life-changing results. We touch more than 40,000 lives each year, from keiki to kupuna,” Koop said.
Child &Family Service was founded in 1899 and is a private nonprofit organization. For more information about its programs, visit www.childandfamilyservice.org.