Southfield Center 'Adopts' Human Services Council for Giving Day

March 7 is Fairfield County Giving Day, a new way community members can help support the important work of local nonprofits. Sponsored by Fairfield County Community Foundation and Bank of America, the goal of this online, 24-hour day of giving is to raise $1 million for more than 300 nonprofits throughout the region.

When Dr. Christopher Bogart, Norwalk resident and Executive Director of The Southfield Center for Development in Darien, learned that the Human Services Council was participating in this event, he jumped at the opportunity to help. The Southfield Center will make a $1000 contribution to this Norwalk-based nonprofit on March 7, and Dr. Bogart will encourage the Center’s community partners, staff, and clients to help the Human Services Council reach its Giving Day goal of 2014 $10 donations.

Dr. Bogart shared: “Our mission at The Southfield Center is to maximize the potential of children with learning, emotional, and behavioral challenges, and the programs of the Human Services Council fit right into that concept. Supporting the Human Services Council on Giving Day, and asking others to do the same, is an easy decision.”

Over the last year alone, the Human Services Council served over 8000 people in the towns of New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, Weston, and Wilton. With a primary focus on helping children and families, their five programs address: school-based medical and mental health services, mentoring, child abuse, child advocacy, alcohol and drug prevention, and homelessness.

Anthony DiLauro, Executive Director of The Human Services Council, commented: “We are excited that Dr. Bogart and the Southfield Center have chosen to ‘adopt’ us on Fairfield County Giving Day. Our programs center on educating, safeguarding, and empowering the people of our communities, and Southfield clearly has the same goal. We are honored to have the support of this important community partner.”

“The need for a continuum of mental health services for children and adolescents, which has been heightened post-Sandy Hook, is something that Southfield’s multidisciplinary treatment model tackles head-on, for the children and families we serve. But we are only able to support a segment of the local population,” noted Dr. Bogart. “This is where nonprofit organizations can help fill the gaps. What is notable about the Human Services Council’s School Based Health Centers is that, among other services, they provide free, school-based mental health support at five Norwalk Public Schools. Simply put, they are serving kids who might not otherwise receive treatment, where they go to school. Supporting these efforts is something we must do as a community and Giving Day is a great opportunity to do so.”

To learn more about Fairfield County Giving Day and to make a donation on March 7th to the Human Services Council visit www.fcgives.org.