Jackie Gray, Director of Development and Community Relations of Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), addressed the Portage Exchange Club at the May 1 breakfast meeting. She was introduced by Mary Sandlin, who is a member of Exchange and also part of FYSB. Gray gave a brief overview of the mission of the FYSB and highlighted some of their 17 different programs and services.
“We try to help families in crisis. We are in the education business, helping families make good choices in life for their children from infants through teens,” Gray said. “We make time to take care of people and try to give people the opportunity to create a new path for themselves.”
FYSB serves the children and families throughout Porter County. This includes about 3100 kids annually.
Through their three-part Healthy Families program, they try to see every new mother in the hospital and hand out resource guides and a small gift. They make about 240 assessments a year and follow up on about 35% with about home visits. They try to provide information and support as it is needed, helping new parents understand what is age-appropriate behavior and needs in their child.
Their Strengthening Families Program brings families together to discuss issues that affect most families.
Gray shared with the members that when she lived in California, she was a member of the Exchange Club there.
For more information about the Family and Youth Services Bureau, please go to one of their offices or see their website at www.fysb.org.