“Partnering with Our Community”
Center for Family Life offers a wide range of social services and programs for children, youth and families in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Established in 1978, Center for Family Life partners with the community to identify shared goals and to implement programs that promote the healthy development of families and children and advance the quality of life for neighborhood residents. Our mission combines strengthening families, youth development, and community building in an array of interrelated programs.
Family Counseling
Center for Family Life offers individual, family and group counseling for families experiencing a variety of difficulties, including relationship and marital problems, conflicts between parents and children, concerns about adolescent behaviors, job loss, financial hardship and more. Families meet with a caseworker who works with them to develop a plan to address their needs. Counseling services include office and home visits, parenting skills workshops, and assistance in obtaining social, medical and educational services.
Foster Care
Center for Family Life’s Neighborhood Foster Care Program licenses and supervises homes in the Sunset Park community for neighborhood children exposed to serious risk. Our caseworkers work closely with family members to resolve problems and reunite children with their parents, or to find loving and permanent homes where they can grow and flourish. We help parents overcome barriers to effective parenting and we support meaningful community involvement through networks of friends and social services, with the goal of promoting ongoing family stability.
School Based Programs
Beacon Programs at PS 1 and PS 503/PS 506
Center for Family Life’s Beacon Programs provide year-round after-school, evening and weekend activities for children, youth and adults that promote individual growth, support family life and create a sense of community.
- For children ages 5-13: Both of our Beacon programs offer educational, recreational and cultural activities through After-School Programs and six-week Summer Day Camp Programs.
- For youth ages 14-19: Both Beacons provide a year-round Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program. Youth gain experience working with young children, develop leadership skills and take part in group activities such as career exploration workshops.
- For Parents & Family Members: Both schools host family nights, special events and volunteer activities for parents and family members. The Beacon programs also offer ESOL and adult education classes.
- Community members of all ages are welcome at our Neighborhood Centers, where children and adults can participate in indoor and outdoor sports, games, arts and crafts, a lending library, dance and performing arts clubs and a family lounge.
“Life Lines” Community Arts Project at MS 136/MS 821
“Life Lines” Community Arts Project is an arts and educational program for middle and high school youth that promote individual growth, encourage mutual aid, develop leadership and build community.
- For youth in grades 6-12: Our Afterschool Arts Program offers instruction in dance, acting, vocals, percussion, visual arts, photography and creative writing, along with daily homework assistance and tutoring. Youth showcase their talent and creativity in art exhibits and original shows.
- For youth ages 10-15: Our Community Arts Summer Day Camp offers six weeks of arts activities and cultural and recreational field trips.
- For youth ages 14-19: Theater, Dance, Vocal and Visual Arts Troupes give young artists the opportunity to lead community arts workshops. During the summer, Troupes provide training and paid employment. High School students can also gain work experience during the school year as interns in our Afterschool Arts Program.
- For Parents & Family Members: Family outings, a Parent Advisory Council, volunteer opportunities, dance classes and other arts-related activities are offered for parents and other family members.
Youth Employment Program
Our Youth Employment Program helps youth age 14-21 explore career options and prepare for higher education and the workforce.
- In WAVE, 9th grade youth explore the world of work through a career research project and field trips.
- Rise-On engages 10th grade youth in community service projects that help them explore career options and prepare for future internships.
- Our Off-site Internship Program offers internships for 11th grade youth at worksites in the community along with group activities that promote college readiness and provide academic and social support.
- Step-Up helps graduating high school students transition to higher education and employment. Participants work in internships and receive assistance with the college and financial aid application process, resume writing, job search and interview skills.
- In the Summer Youth Employment Program, youth work in summer jobs with employers throughout Brooklyn.
Community Service Program
The Community Service Program provides a variety of integrated services and activities that help families and individuals address basic needs. They are available to the community daily, year round and at no charge.
- Single Stop Center: weekly sessions offer on-site benefits screening, financial counseling, legal assistance and referrals to family counseling.
- Thrift Shop & Food Pantry: provides individuals and families in need with free food, clothing, household items and furniture in an emergency. The Thrift Shop also sells items at low prices to the public.
- Advocacy Clinic: helps Sunset Park residents resolve issues related to public benefits, healthcare, housing, utilities, taxes and immigration. The Clinic also offers translation services and referrals to other programs.
- EITC Tax Filing: free tax-filing assistance for families with children with incomes under $40,000 per year, and for individuals with incomes less than $20,000 per year.
Adult Employment Services
Services include a range of job readiness and placement services for unemployed and underemployed adults.
- Personalized employment counseling
- Job search assistance, including resume writing help and interview preparation.
- Computer skills training
- English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes in Spanish and Chinese
- Job placement and referrals
- Follow-up counseling for individuals who have found jobs to ensure satisfactory employment
- Workshops on entrepreneurship
- Support for workers’ cooperatives that create safe, living-wage jobs for Sunset Park residents