[Posted Jan. 9, 2008]

125 Year-Old Family Agency Gets New Name

   Starting Jan. 1, the 125-year-old non-profit Child & Family Services of Eastern Virginia is now The Up Center.
    The name change is designed to reflect the agency’s array of services for everyone from infants to seniors.  Established in 1883, the agency has locations in Norfolk, Franklin, Portsmouth and Suffolk. 
   “Many people think Child &Family Services is a government agency,” says Ed Welp, president and CEO. “We surveyed our clients, staff, board, funders and referral sources, and it was unanimous that we needed a more modern and distinct brand to position ourselves for the future.”
   Since 1995, the agency’s budget has grown from approximately $500,000 annually to around $10 million. The staff has grown to almost 200, and more than 10,000 people receive services each year.
    That’s 10,000 people with uniquely personal needs.

   “The impact on the community is staggering,” says Timothy Callahan, chairman of the board of directors. “We are proud of our history, and we are excited about the future for the agency. The agency has been flexible to respond to the community’s ever changing needs. We look forward to another 125 years of service.”
    There are more personalized programs such as Adoption, Body recall, Camp Horizon, Care Check, Early Childhood STEP, Family Life, Creating Lasting Families, Foster Care, Guardianship, Healthy Families, Housing Counseling, In-Home Services, Outpatient Counseling, Parents as Teachers, Representatives and Veterans Payee, Resource Mothers, Reverse Mortgage Counseling, Students’ Best Friend, Therapeutic Recreation Consultation, The Say Program, Violence Prevention and Visitation Services.
The list is extensive.
  The organization will celebrate 125 years of history along with its 2007 success stories. For example, it has provided prenatal care and child development programs to more than 200 at-risk families.
    It has provided financial guardianship services to 1,000 adults in Hampton Roads, who might otherwise be homeless, paying their bills to prevent homelessness.
   Meanwhile, about 81 children who could not remain with their biological families, have received aid, as well as more than 76 children and adults with disabilities.
    For more information, call 622-7017 ext 124.

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