1988: Co-founder Mary O’Connor, a single parent psychotherapist
with five children, originally conceived the notion of F.A.C.E.S. with her
friends Cheryl Ramirez and Shelly Driscoll. They imagined a place where parents
and children could get affordable help and learn to stop the bitter fighting,
heal and even help others. They named the agency for what they did Family Assessment,
Counseling & Education Services.
1992: The agency receives its
incorporation and nonprofit status. Celebrates with community activities.
Dozens of F.A.C.E.S. supporters become involved. Volunteerism becomes a habit
with community grass roots supporters. F.A.C.E.S.
honors the child in the single parent family; initiates its first Back
& Forth Child day at Heisler Park in Fullerton. Police Department,
Superior Court personnel, book writers, other counseling agencies, get
involved. Hot dogs are served by board
members.
1994: F.A.C.E.S. moves to a little house on 514 E. Chapman Ave. The
agency expanded to include six new interns and trainees. Program development
included Parenting Groups, Anger Management and family counseling, Monitored
visits all developed in
Community spirit spurred the
founders to open a second office in Santa Ana. The office is still operating at
1641 E. 4th Street, Santa Ana.
1998: F.A.C.E.S. celebrates ten years of service to the community
by expanding to a larger office at 2555 E. Chapman and remains in these offices
for nine years.
F.A.C.E.S. receives its first
grant from Pacific Life Foundation. The
first four groups are filled with referrals from Family Law courts, social
services, schools and churches. F.A.C.E.S. has counselors on campus in five
high schools for five years, through a gang prevention grant, with the
Fullerton School District and the Fullerton Police department.
2000: F.A.C.E.S. receives a grant to provide ride along counseling
services with the Fullerton Police department, on domestic violence cases. The
agency also helps students in the Step Up program at the Boys and Girls Center
in Fullerton. As the agency becomes involved in several community resource
centers, its counseling staff expands to provide services on campus of
preschools. F.A.C.E.S. administrators volunteer to help build capacity for FaCT.
The agency secures contracts with county and state agencies. F.A.C.E.S. begins
to be recognized for its work in the community.
2001: Laguna Niguel office opens. F.A.C.E.S. hosts its first annual
Hearts in Action Event to raise awareness of the effects of Domestic Violence
on Children. Panelists include Michael Riley.
2004: F.A.C.E.S. gets involved in more community events, hosts annual Volunteer Recognition and Hearts in Action, Night under the Stars. Monitored Visitation
Program highlighted with 300 families attending services this year.
2006: F.A.C.E.S. moves its offices to 505 E.
Commonwealth Ave. The office houses the agency until 2010. Community groups
raise funds to supply the offices with children’s furniture, toys, and
supplies.
2009: F.A.C.E.S. continues its outreach to family
homes and school campuses. Outcomes show improvement in family relationships
and increased self confidence in children.
F.A.C.E.S. celebrates its yearly Court Appreciation Event with
Commissioner Richard Vogl as the recipient of the Child Advocacy Award. Twelve
universities send students to F.A.C.E.S. for training.
2010: F.A.C.E.S. partners with the Boys and Girls
Club to provide family monitored visits at the Richman Center, where families
can go outside and play on the playground, or get involved in activities during
their visits. Up to 15 families each week benefit from the services at this
center.
F.A.C.E.S. moves to Placentia location, with larger, more modern offices.
The clients comment on the fresh, new offices and the comfortable, family
atmosphere of the rooms. A large donation of furnishings compliment the huge
space.
2011: ABCs of Anger Management, a F.A.C.E.S. publication is ready for
parents in the Anger Management classes. Volunteers translate the book into
Spanish.
F.A.C.E.S. now has twenty seven groups are facilitated each week in
English and Spanish with the twenty five counselors. Volunteerism is at an all
time high, and three grant writers are working diligently to propose to
foundations F.A.C.E.S. worthiness to receive funds for programs.
F.A.C.E.S. attends many community events including Tustin, Brea, and
Placentia Night Outs, the Soku University Event, and the Home Furnishing Show
in Anaheim.
Bottom line, F.A.C.E.S. needs
businesses to help us build brighter futures for families.
You are a valuable commodity
and can be a resource whether referring a family,
volunteering for a
fundraiser, or writing a check. No check is ever refused in the development
of
our unique programs. Go to www.facescal.org to donate or volunteer. Thank you.
Thornon
wilder said: Money is
like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread
around encouraging young
things to grow.
