History of Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia
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.
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