Family Service League Expands

The Family Service League of Long Island has announced that it has opened a new Center Moriches office, bringing the league's total locations to 22.

With existing offices across the East East, from Westhampton to East Hampton, Riverhead at Cutchogue, Tricia O’Hare, coordinator of East End Development & Communications, says the new office, located on Main Street, will be able to bridge East End services with those being offered in Yapank and Shirley.

And the new office, she said, will not only bridge the gap, but will aid the non-profit in its mission to serve even more people in need.

According to O'Hare, the downward spiral of the economy, has more people than ever before reaching out for support on a variety of issues, from debt counseling to dealing with stress and help with chemical dependencies.

O'Hare says the league, which reaches about 55,000 people across Long Island every year, is able to fill a demand that the county and state are no longer able to.

"We are especially needed as the county and the state don't have as much money to help with," she said.

Aside from offering counseling for drug and alcohol, stress and debt, the league with it's army of 600 part and full-time employees and 400 volunteers, also offers elder care, trauma, depression, and marriage and divorce counseling.

"Our services run the gamut," said O'Hare, pointing out that the organization has a total of 46 programs including tutoring, home-work help, universal pre-k, job training, and computer literacy.

“Family Service League is well positioned to meet the continually increasing demand for a broad range of social services, mental and behavioral health programs for individuals and families in crisis,” said Karen Boorshtein, president & CEO of Family Service League.

The Family Service league, according to Boorshtein, is funded mostly through federal, state and county contracts, but also relies on corporate and individual donations and volunteers. The League's 2013 anticipated budget is $27 million.

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