About Us

1893 – Charity Organization Society of Elizabeth is founded

1897 – Downtown Relief Association organized by the Mayor of Elizabeth

1898 – Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children merges with the Charity Organization Society

1898 – “Friendly Visitors” program begins

1903 – Counseling Services begins

1915 – Adoption Program begins

1928 – Holiday Drive for toys begins

1938 – Agency name becomes Family and Children’s Society

1951 – North Ave location opens

1993 – Parent/child visitation begins

1994 – Post adoption counseling begins

1997 – Union County program for youth involved with juvenile justice begins

2011 – FACS receives multi-year federal SAMHSA grant to provide clinician training and evidence-based trauma therapy to children and adolescents

2012 – The first annual Red Carpet Party fashion show and fundraiser is held

2016 – Office opens at 70 West Grand Street in Midtown Elizabeth, joining the main office at 40 North Avenue in Elizabeth

2019 – The HEART (Hope Empathy and Recovery from Trauma) Program starts providing evidence-based trauma therapy to Unaccompanied Migrant Youth and Refugees

2020 – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FACS begins providing mental health and case management services via telehealth, as well as in person

2020s and Beyond – Family and Children’s Services is a premier mental health and social services agency, leveraging federal, state and local grants, as well as individual, corporate, and foundation donations to build hope and heal trauma for the most vulnerable residents in the community.