'TIS THE SEASON TO BE GENEROUS - GUARDIAN ANGEL FAMILY CRISIS CENTER OPENS ITS HOLIDAY BOUTIQUENovember 24, 2013 -- The Guardian Angel Family Crisis Center, located at 239 Glen Cove Avenue in Sea Cliff, held a "Grand Opening" for its Holiday Boutique this past Saturday.
The GAFCC offers a variety of services and assistance to women in crisis. It's mission statement states that the Center seeks "to meet the needs of women who have lost control of their lives,who are struggling to raise their children, or who have been left shipwrecked by economic or marital hardship." The statement continues, "GAFCC serves as a safety net for women who don't know where to turn, and also as a springboard back into self-reliance, healthy relationships and a productive and fruitful life." Barbara Costello, the Family Crisis Center's founder and president explained the organization's guiding philosophy. "Within a community if you commit yourself to the community you are going to see the blessing, just as in one's family," she said. "I feel like we are a big family - the community, the people in need, and the people and groups helping." The Holiday Boutique features a variety of opportunities to help out others during this season of giving. There is a one dollar raffle for a "Night Before Christmas" basket, and a "Giving Tree" that offers participants the opportunity to make the wish of a child in need come true. In addition holiday clothing for women and children, candles, decorations, and other festive seasonal items are for sale. The Center's Glen Cove Avenue Thrift Store opened in 2009 and supports local families through the discounted sale of "gently used" women's and children's clothing, toys and furniture. They accept both donated items and cash contributions, and offer counseling to "those in need and who are ready to turn their lives around." "The provisions are here to help people make a new beginning," Ms. Costello said. The GAFCC works closely with other local organizations including St. Boniface Church, the North Shore Reform Temple, the Glenwood Landing Woman's Group and the Glen Head American Legion Women's Auxiliary. On January 9th, the organization will be holding it's annual benefit dinner, cabaret show, and Chinese auction. The event, "Celebrating New Beginnings," will honor the work of the Glenwood Landing Woman's Group and the Glen Head American Legion Women's Auxiliary, and feature a performance by Linda Ray and the Huntington Cabaret. Click here for more information about the "Celebrating New Beginnings" Benefit. For more information about the Guardian Angel Family Crisis Center, visit their website at http://gafcc.org/. Story by C. Elorriaga |