For the past several months, educators from the Children’s Museum have provided monthly programming to kids staying at Family Service League‘s South Shore shelter. We recently spoke with Karen Boorshtein, the organization’s president and CEO, about the origins of the Family Service League, the services they provide, and what the partnership means for families struggling with homelessness.
How did Family Service League get its start?
We’ve been in existence for 90 years, since 1926. We started out as a grassroots organization, as a way for community members to address issues in the Huntington area. We now have more than 20 locations, mostly throughout Suffolk County. We provide services for about 50,000 people a year, 20% of whom are under the age of 18.
What services does Family Service League provide?
When someone comes to us for help, they may be coming to us for any number of things. We’re the safety net for Long Island. We work with young children to seniors, those struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues, lack of housing, education. Our centers offer a holistic plan for families who visit. And while every site is a little different, every site is a family center. Everyone who needs our services can access them no matter where the client lives.
How does our programming benefit families staying at the South Shore shelter?
Having programming from the Children’s Museum is terrific. While the goal is to get the families moved into permanent housing as soon as possible, getting these enrichment programs helps normalize the experience for kids living in the shelter.