National Board of Trustees members are putting the “family” in Family Promise. The children of several Board members have brought their energy and enthusiasm to the organization, coming up with creative ways to make a difference for families at Family Promise-Union County (FPUC).
Gabie Vicens, daughter of Treasurer Rick Vicens, worked with her mother to give the Day Center counseling room a much-needed makeover. They painted the walls a serene shade of green, sewed curtains to create privacy, and donated comfortable furniture and children’s therapy toys to facilitate counseling sessions.
“Gabie and her mom created a lovely welcoming space for counseling, an important component of our Family Wellness program,” says Executive Director Geleen Donovan.
Vice Chair Kevin Barrett and his son, Dylan, recently came to the rescue of a family in dire need of reliable transportation. Initially, two generous donors stepped in anonymously to cover the cost of a rental car so Mom could get her children to and from school and commute to her two jobs and the volunteer position she holds. When the Barretts learned of the situation, they knew a more permanent solution was sitting in the driveway of a nearby family member’s home…Dylan’s 2011 Mazda.
The family is thankful for a dependable vehicle they can call their own, bringing them one step closer to reclaiming their independence.
Basketball was the inspiration for a recent fundraiser coordinated by Josh Sacks, son of Board member Stacey Slater Sacks. For his Bar Mitzvah project, Josh and his friend Jackson organized a youth basketball clinic to raise funds for FPUC. Volunteers – including a former WNBA player – spent an afternoon coaching 25 enthusiastic players, and the event raised nearly $600.
Josh used a portion of the proceeds to purchase new shelving for the Day Center’s locker room, which he and his father installed and stocked with toiletries, donating the remaining funds to FPUC.
“Volunteers of all ages help make our program so successful,” says Amy Jones, Family Promise Manager of Volunteer Engagement. “It’s inspiring to see younger generations passionate about supporting our families, and to see our Board members passing on the torch of community action.”
For information on ways to become involved with Family Promise, email Amy or call 908.273.1100 x38.
