The wonderful women who founded TFC.

We have a long, rich history of supporting children and families.

The Family Center was born from the vision of four women who, while working at the NYC Department of Social Services, saw a gap in services pertaining to the needs of families affected by AIDS. The biggest concern of parents was not for themselves, but for their children. However, little was being done to prepare the children for death, mourning and rebuilding their lives. With these families in mind, The Family Center was founded in 1994 to give children the peace of mind that they will be taken care of. By providing comprehensive legal and social services under one umbrella, The Family Center’s mission was to stabilize families and to help them cope with the implications and gravity of their health situation.

A lot has changed since 1994. Individuals can now live longer lives with carefully treated HIV/AIDS. As such, the scope of services offered by our agency has continued to evolve. We now provide services to even more children affected by a wider range of destabilizing factors –such as cancer and incarceration. We also offer more services, including: medication adherence counseling for HIV clients, an expanded mentoring program, and even more preventive family services that benefit at-risk youth. The diversity of our work and the adaptability of our agency make The Family Center more relevant than ever. Each day, The Family Center staff is humbled and honored to partner with NYC families as they work towards stability for their children. Though the conditions of hardship change, NYC’s vulnerable children and their families remain the focus of our work.

1991

Barbara Draimin publishes her dissertation on “The Mental Health Needs of Well Adolescents Whose Parents Have AIDS”

1992

Robin Hood helps TFC acquire 5th floor space at 66 Reade Street

1993

Mother’s Day: New York Times cover story is devoted to AIDS orphans

1994

Creation of The Family Center as a program of the Medical and Health Research Association of NYC, Inc. (now Public Health Solutions)

1995

Ivy Gamble and Abbe Bassin launch Buddy Program with 6 pairs of volunteers and children

First Annual holiday party with 35 parents and children takes place at former staff member Anna Teitelbaum’s parent’s home – Ruth Abram and Herb Teitelbaum

1996

Barbara Dramin is on Montel Williams addressing the topic: Mothers of Kids with AIDS

Dave Nimmons, Christine Swan and Nancy Torres hold the first meeting to create an independent Board of Directors

1997

TFC is incorporated and receives its independent not-for-profit status

2000

TFC begins its Consumer Outreach Program which involves clients more directly in its service delivery (This group later becomes the Consumer Advisory Board and Peer Outreach Committee)

Whitney Wright creates Family Pride program for fun and family communication

2001

Robin Hood Foundation helps TFC expand and add the 3rd floor of 66 Reade Street, which includes an emphasis on therapeutic services, play therapy room and the double mirror “observation” room

TFC adds mediation to its menu of services

TFC provides assistance to families facing loss as a result of the World Trade Center attacks

2002

TFC establishes collaboration with Ackerman Institute

TFC hosts the first annual Buddy Camping Trip

TFC’s first Public Service Announcement runs on television and a TFC ad runs on NYC subways

2003

Brooklyn office opens in Bedford-Stuyvesant with Jerome Brown as Site Director

Updated PSA runs on Brooklyn bus shelters in conjunction with the Brooklyn office opening

Buddy Program celebrates a record 60 buddy matches with a party at Maroons and a special award to program builder, Joan McElroy

2004

TFC partners with the Department for the Aging to serve families with primary caregivers over the age of 60

TFC celebrates 10 years of service

2006

TFC is proud to welcome Ivy Gamble-Cobb as the new Executive Director

TFC receives a grant from the NYC Administration for Children’s Services for intensive preventive services for at-risk adolescents

2007

TFC moves into its new Manhattan offices on 315 West 36th Street

Ivy Gamble Cobb is interviewed about TFC on Open on Bronxnet Community Television

2008

Susan G. Komen for the Cure honors TFC as Grantee of the Year

TFC institutes a pet-assisted therapy program, Paw Pals

TFC partners with The Animation Project to offer teen programming

TFC hires a Community Health Nurse to oversee medical case management services

TFC’s Early Support for Lifelong Success receives the only federally funded Abandoned Infants Assistance Program grant in New York State

The Linda Stein Memorial Fund at The Family Center is founded by Samantha Stein and her family

2009

TFC is featured in the nationally-syndicated Parade Magazine and on the local ABC News Channel 7

The TCC Group cites The Family Center for exceptional sustainability

TFC completes a 3-year strategic plan

The 1st Annual Halloween Party to benefit the Daniel Fennessy Fund at The Family Center takes place

TFC is selected by the Mount Vernon Seventh Day Adventist Church to benefit from their VIBEs Project and its Gospel Concert

TFC receives grant from The Administration for Children and Families MCP program to dramatically expand Buddy Program

2010

Deerfield Foundation funds the expansion of TFC’s Medical Case Management Services to provide pediatric assessments

TFC increases Board of Directors by welcoming two new Board members: Barbara Lembo and Lauren Glassberg.