Family Services of Forsyth County, NC

Sugar, butter flour…where there’s a whisk, there’s a way! Time is running out to see Waitress before curtain closes on July 28. We are proud to partner with Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance and hope you’ll join us in our efforts to make a difference for individuals impacted by domestic violence in our community. Your gift is their hope. Give now: https://familyservicesforsyth.org/give-now/

Opening weekend of "Waitress" was a huge success with Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who stopped by our info table this weekend! Your interest and enthusiasm made this event truly special.
To our amazing visitors, your questions, feedback, and support mean the world to us. We loved engaging with you and sharing more about our mission and upcoming initiatives. Just in case we missed you last weekend, we look forward to seeing this week from Thursday to Sunday!

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Waitress
It’s opening night! We are proud to partner with -Salem Theatre Alliance. Help us help our neighbors in need of a soft place to land. Make your best gift to help us build a new domestic violence shelter, because everyone deserves a slice of happiness.
Give now: https://familyservicesforsyth.org/give-now/

“Order up! Hurry up!” Joe’s Diner is filling up and seats are selling out quickly for the Broadway sensation, Waitress, coming July 19 – 28 to the Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance. We are proud to partner with Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance during this show, helping raise critical funds to build a new domestic violence shelter in our community - because everybody deserves a soft place to land.
Tickets: https://theatrealliance.ws/box-office/
About Family Services: https://familyservicesforsyth.org/

Please join us in support of The Pre-K Priority on Monday, July 22nd from 5pm-6:30pm at the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness as they present highlights from OUR FIRST PRIORITY — a community report highlighting key findings from county and city-funding to support high quality Pre-K in 30 classrooms across Forsyth County.

Register Here ➡️ https://www.prekpriority.org/ourfirstpriority -registration or visit the link in their bio!

Happy 4th of July everyone! From our family to yours, we hope you have an amazing holiday🇺🇸

Did you know, according to the Department of Justice, intimate partner violence increases by 12 percent in the summer months compared to other seasons?
We are here for you! Visit https://familyservicesforsyth.org/ for more information regarding all of our programs at Family Services💜

Have you heard the news! In a closely watched case with life-and-death consequences, the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled the government can continue denying fi****ms to people who have domestic violence protective orders against them. Eight of the nine justices agreed to continue this common-sense safety measure.
Check out Futures Without Violence to learn more about the ruling and what this means for our community!

June is Elder Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness surrounding the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and neglect. It affects millions of seniors each year, often going unreported and unnoticed within our communities.

Thanks to the generosity of two anonymous donors, we have a match! The challenge will double any gift, up to $15,000, by any donor through June 30th. Don't wait, visit https://familyservicesforsyth.org/support-us/give-now/ and make your donation today!

June celebrates Pride Month, an opportunity to uplift, celebrate and support the LGBT+ community! We believe that everyone deserves safety and support. Did you know LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience domestic and sexual violence? We are here to reclaim safety, hope, healing, and strength. Contact our crisis line at 336-723-8125 or visit familyservicesforsyth.org to learn more about our resources.

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Life can be overwhelming, and it's important to remember that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Here are a few gentle reminders to help you on your journey!

We are excited to announce that Cade will be visiting Family Services as part of his Giving Guitars Tour! Steven is an incredible individual who uses his musical talent to perform and raise awareness for different shelters all over the country. To learn more about who Steven is, as well as his mission, you can visit givingguitars.org.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it's time we break the stigma and start the conversation. This month, let's come together to raise awareness, show support, and promote understanding within our community.

Happy Birthday to our Founder, Annie Grogan!
In 1905, Annie Grogan, a telephone operator, began her mission of assisting the poor in our community. She founded Family Services (called Associated Charities at the time), the first organized private charity in Winston-Salem, NC. Miss Annie was known as “the mother of charity.” She combined compassion with a genius for organizing community resources to meet the needs of the poor and to assist them to become self-supporting. More than 110 years later, we continue to carry out Miss Annie's mission as a catalyst, convener, and collaborator in Forsyth County.

Grab your bird house before it's too late! Thank you to the Wake Forest students who worked to create and decorate a set of birdhouses with themes that have connections to feminist issues, gender, and sustainability. You can bid on these birdhouses now through May 22 at
https://new.biddingowl.com/items?QueryAuctionId=67a740c7-62e3-4c5b-9e37-49285adf44ce&QueryCategory=Arts%20and%20Crafts

https://www.wxii12.com/article/lanie-pope-senior-services-inter-generational-center-arts-wellness/60676378

Check out what WXII 12 NEWS had to say about our newest classrooms at the Intergenerational Center for Arts & Wellness. Thank you to all of our teachers who go above and beyond every day in the classroom to ensure each child receives the education they deserve! Your time, effort, love, and impact go beyond the classroom, touching lives and shaping futures.

Go Lanie: Senior Services' Inter-Generational Center for Arts and Wellness is making people of all ages smile The Senior Services' Inter-Generational Center for Arts and Wellness is making people of all ages smile.

Today, on Teacher Appreciation Day, let's take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to all the incredible educators who dedicate their lives to shaping minds and nurturing souls.

To the Family Services' teachers who inspire, motivate, and empower their students every single day, thank you for your unwavering commitment and passion. Your dedication doesn't go unnoticed, and the impact you make reaches far beyond the walls of the classroom. Your patience, kindness, and relentless pursuit of excellence truly make a difference in the lives of so many.

So here's to our teachers who go above and beyond, who believe in their students even when they may not believe in themselves, and who instill the values of curiosity, perseverance, and compassion.

Thank you for everything you do. Today and every day, we celebrate you!

Make a difference while finding treasures! Thank you to the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department at Wake Forest University for hosting an auction to support Family Services. Thank you to the students who worked to create and decorate a set of birdhouses with themes that have connections to feminist issues, gender, and sustainability. You can bid on these birdhouses now through May 22 at
https://new.biddingowl.com/items?QueryAuctionId=67a740c7-62e3-4c5b-9e37-49285adf44ce&QueryCategory=Arts%20and%20Crafts

Today our Family Services employees showed up in denim! Wearing denim isn't just about fashion, it's about spreading awareness and challenging harmful misconceptions. Let's create a world where consent is respected, survivors are believed, and justice is served. Together, we can make a difference.

Join us tomorrow by participating in Denim Day: When people across the world intentionally wear jeans for a purpose, to support survivors of sexual violence as a collective, and to further educate our community about sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence.

Our Safe Relationships team was honored to join community partners from The Parenting PATH and Children's Law Center of Central North Carolina for the proclamation from the City of Winston-Salem, NC - Government City Council.

Thanks to our Pre-K champions, we are posting The Pre-K Priority’s "Pre-K Proud" yard signs all around Forsyth County to advocate for greater access to high-quality, affordable Pre-K in our community.

We have much to be proud of:

⭐ We’re Pre-K Proud of our county and city leaders for investing in an initiative involving nearly 400 young learners.

⭐ We’re Pre-K Proud of the many organizations working collaboratively under The Pre-K Priority umbrella to develop impactful community strategies.

⭐ And we’re Pre-K Proud of the early childhood educators across Forsyth County who bring such joy and dedication to their classrooms. Now, more than ever, we need to provide young learners with the best start possible to their educational journeys.

To read more, visit The Winston-Salem Journal at https://journalnow.com/opinion/letters/the-readers-forum-dont-let-our-leaders-forget-ukraine/article_07762650-f8d7-11ee-9db7-5b74869fa3b8.html .

It was a pleasure catching up with two former board members, Daisy Rodriguez, Executive Director at Forsyth Backpack, and Gordon Watkins, Forsyth County Attorney, at the United Way of Forsyth County annual meeting yesterday.

The planning coalition of Equity Forsyth invites you to join us as Dr. Bettina Love shares her research about the injustices within our educational system and their impact on children of color, while offering a way forward that repairs the harm of the past and fosters transformative approaches to educating all children.

Join Equity Forsyth partners as we stand united against the systemic wrongs that have shaped our educational landscape. This event is a rallying cry for teachers, parents, and community members who are determined to fight for a system that uplifts, empowers, and heals.

Register: https://givebutter.com/bettinalovews
Livestream (for those outside of Forsyth County): http://tinyurl.com/LoveWSWebinar

Empowerment starts with awareness. April is recongized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As a community we have the power to amplify voices, break down stigmas, and promote education to create a safer, more respectful world for all.

We are thrilled to announce that Audrey Johnson, a Family Services Foundation Board member, has been nominated for the Forsyth County Governor's Award.

Her dedication, expertise, and tireless efforts have made a remarkable impact within our organization and across Forsyth County. This nomination is a testament to their outstanding leadership and commitment to our community.

Congratulations Audrey!

Bridging Generations: Kids & Elders Connect!
Our classrooms located in the Intergeneration Center for Arts & Wellness had an amazing time interacting with the elders of our community. There's something truly special about the bond between children and the older generations. It's a beautiful exchange of wisdom, experience, and youthful energy. Let's continue fostering these heartwarming connections, creating a world where generations come together to learn, grow, and inspire one another.

It was an honor to dedicate the Hermansen Conference Room last week and sit down with Bryn Hermansen's family and FemFest NC friends to remember and celebrate Bryn's impact. Family Services' is humbled and deeply appreciative of Bryn's work and FemFest, who continues to carry her legacy. We meet regularly in the "Hermansen Room" with Bryn's inspiring words guiding us:

"Philanthropy, to me, is the simple act of utilizing any privileges you have to really help leave this world a little better than when you got here. Whether those privileges looks like time, connections, experience or just a stable mental health day, it only take a definitive first step to doing your part."
-Bryn Hermansen