Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia

Mission Statment

To promote and strengthen families and individuals in the building of a just and supportive society.

Our Vision is to be a leader in strengthening families and communities by being innovative, dynamic and fully involved in the communities we serve.

We Achieve This By

- providing competent counselling to individuals, couples, families and groups

- providing educational programs that respond to comunity needs

- maintaining a well trained and professional staff

- adhering to best practices in all aspects of ou operation

- being fiscally responsible

- social advocacy

History

Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia was founded in 1969 but traces its roots back to the 1930's. In the grip of the Great Depression, many churches formed small family service agencies to attempt to meet the material needs of their parishioners. From this grew agencies with the wider mandate of providing a combination of counseling and assistance in the tradition of Charity Organization Societies.

Originally staffed by the Sisters of St. Martha these agencies operated independently until the early 1950's when they were brought under the umbrella of Antigonish Diocesan Charities with Fr. John Webb acting as the first director. In the mid 1950's, Fr. Vern Boutilier, a professional Social Worker, joined the agency as Assistant Director. It was under Fr. Boutilier's leadership that Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia, as we know it today, was created when all independent agencies merged on September 1, 1969.

Amalgamation enabled the agency to qualify for provincial funding under the Canada Assistance Plan. The balance of funding is derived from the Diocese of Antigonish, Religious Orders, the United Way of Cape Breton and Pictou, fees for service, and private donation. In fiscal year 2000-2001 the agency's budget was $1.2 million.

In 1994, a strategic planning exercise noted the need for Family Service to create its own identity, independent of the Diocese of Antigonish. Accordingly Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia was incorporated under the Societies Act of Nova Scotia on March 1, 1995. A new board was formed with a wide-ranging membership. The Agency operates on a Board-Manager system with Mr. David Muise acting as the current Executive Director and Jane Coady as Board President. Agency offices are located throughout Cape Breton and Eastern Nova Scotia as coterminous boundaries with the Diocese of Antigonish have been maintained.

Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia continues to provide professional counseling services on a wide range of issues based on our mandate to preserve the sanctity of the family unit. Family Life programs are also offered to groups with topics ranging from self-esteem, stress/anger management, parenting, adolescent issues, and young children. The agency also serves as the provider of Marriage Preparation Courses throughout the service area.

In 2000-2001, Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia received over 6000 contacts with its 13 offices and attracted 2000 people to it's Family Life Programs.

Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia continues to evolve to meet new challenges in addressing client needs. We are actively seeking partnering opportunities in order to achieve maximum return from out limited resources.

Significant Dates in Child Welfare History

	1917	Emergence of Child Welfare Service with the purchase of a home on King's Road. This home was named St. Mary's Home.

	1927	Formal opening of Little Flower Institue in Little Bras d'Or.

	1938	Further expansion of St. Mary's Home. Name changed to "Mercy Hospital".

	1951	Desturction of St. Rita's Hospital by fire. Mercy Hospital was temporarily used for general maternity cases.

	1952	Emphasis on finding boarding homes and adoption homes for mothers and infants, as opposed to the former trend of institutionalization.

	1953	Destruction of Little Flower Institute by fire.

	1956	Official opening of new Little Flower Institute on Alexandra Street in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

	1971	Closure of LIttle Flower Institute after steady decline in usage.

	1990's	Change in Child Welfare Service mandate whereby Child Welfare transferred all current adoption placement cases to the Children's Aid Society, and assumed entire responsibility for single parent counselling.

	1997	The Board of Directors of Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia assumed responsibility for the Child Welfare Service.

Testimonials

What are our clients saying about us?

“I needed your help. Thank you!”

“I have nothing but thanks and praise for Family Service.”

“My counselor was wonderful, friendly, caring and heartfelt. There should be more help like that.”

“We are blessed to have a place to go for help in partial affairs of daily living. To receive perspective on relationships, marriage and self-care can change failure into success, chaos into order and stress into peace. Thank you for allowing me to come into a safe place and grow.”

“I like the counselor. She listened to my problems and understood them. Talking to her helped me face my problems and to deal with them. I am glad I went to Family Service.”

“The time I spent with...at Family Service is valuable to me as it helped me through the most difficult time in my life.”

“I started counseling for my daughter and after a couple of months we were seen together which helped both of us get close and for my daughter to trust me with her feelings.”

“My Counsellor was understanding and encouraging. I felt like she was very genuine and cared about the things I was talking about. I felt like she was not only a counselor but a friend. In the future, if I need counseling, I hope I can talk with her again. I am at a better place in my life now after our sessions. Thank you!”

“I am totally happy with the help I received. I feel it is a service needed by people having problems. I was happy with the counselor that handled my case. Felt very comfortable talking with them and would not think twice about going back if I feel troubled or distressed in any way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help and concerns and professionalism.”

“I was glad to have been part of this group as I find it has helped me with a lot of the problems that I had and have to deal with them. As well as the goals that I wanted to see happen for me, everyone here had helped me a lot.”

“Very well taught course. Counsellors are very patient with people and will listen to all of your problems.”

“I just want to thank you guys for all the help with my problems.”

“I found my counselor to be very helpful and encouraging. She was honest and “up front“ with my situation. I have already recommended Family Service to others.”