News And Events

‘It’s only after basic needs are met that people feel calm enough to focus on family dynamics’ – An interview with The Center for Family Life’s Julia Jean-Francois

January 24, 2019 by

Interview by Keyna Franklin

Photo: Julia Jean-Francois

The Center for Family Life in Sunset Park is nationally recognized for how it builds community to strengthen families. Here, Executive Director Julia Jean-Francois explains how economic stability is the first step toward achieving family wellbeing. 

Q: A lot of parents feel like they just can’t cope and meet their basic needs. How does the Center for Family Life help with that? 

A: We organize our service system so that we start … Read More

‘I Was Scared But I Stood Up for Myself’

January 10, 2019 by

Rise Contributors Melissa Landrau (left) and Mariya Kolesnichenko (right).

When CPS showed up at my door, they came in very aggressive. I had just lost my grandmother, who was my caretaker, and had gone through a break-up with my son’s father. Suddenly I was alone. My son and I ended up in a shelter, and I got a case called in for my son missing school. I was scared, confused and very overwhelmed but I stood … Read More

Rise Testimony to City Council: Nov. 27, 2018 Hearing on Family Separation in Family Court

November 28, 2018 by

Hello Councilmembers,

Thank you for your attention to the issue of family separation in New York City family court. Although many people across our city and country have been moved by seeing how it affects children and families to be separated at the border, the separations that happen every day because of child welfare are seen differently. These families are seen as deserving separation, even though in many cases, families do not need to be separated—or … Read More

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