Family & Children's Association

Philip M. Mickulas
President and Chief Executive Officer

For the past 130 years, the Family & Children's Association (FCA) has provided help and hope to individuals and families, through its mission to protect and strengthen Long Island's most vulnerable children, families, seniors and communities. The FCA helps the underserved and disadvantaged to build better lives. With more than 200 volunteers, corporate and community groups the FCA offers community- and residential-based counseling, family support and educational programs that promote self-sufficiency and foster positive outcomes.

The association's child- and youth-centered programs include a cooperative nursery, "Little Library," tutoring and independent skills training programs for at-risk/disconnected adolescents and young adults as well as an emergency shelter and transitional living program for runaway and homeless youth. In addition to the preschool, programs have included after-school services and a summer camp. Services are offered from a number of locations throughout Nassau County including Hempstead, Hicksville, Freeport, Elmont and West Hempstead.

Among its initiatives is the Youth Advisory Council, an opportunity for Long Island youth to serve as decision-makers, to positively impact their community, and to broaden their perspectives. The purpose of the council is to develop a team of young leaders dedicated to promoting service-learning, adult partnerships and appreciation of diversity. Team members are required to participate in leadership training, collaborative planning and project development to better their community.

"The Family & Children's Association is guided by a belief in the promise of education as an antidote to poverty and the genesis of a bright future," wrote the association's award nominator. "It has been nationally recognized as a model of excellence and is a fiscally sound, well-managed agency possessing an impeccable reputation in providing community-based social services."