(This story was updated with new information.)
Family Counseling and Shelter Services of Monroe County has discontinued its counseling services and has temporarily paused its domestic violence shelter. A community liquidation of furnishing is planned for Aug. 10-11.
Last year, the organization said, it provided 3,881 nights of shelter and served 90 individuals through its residential program.
“We have made the difficult decision to close, for now, our counseling services and are working to re-open our domestic violence shelter,” said Jamie Lindsay, interim executive director. FCSS’ previous executive director, Crystal Martin, has retired.
The nonprofit Family Counseling and Shelter Services began in 1966 and aims to provide shelter, counseling, advocacy, hotline assistance and support to individuals and families throughout Monroe County. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors. It’s currently at 14930 LaPlaisance Road, Ste. 106 in Monroe.
In a July 28 news release, Family Counseling and Shelter Services said it’s restructuring and raising funds.
FCSSMC is “taking immediate steps to restructure its operations and stabilize the organization as it works to preserve Monroe County’s only domestic violence shelter,” the news release said. “The agency is facing significant financial and staffing challenges at a time when state and federal funding for domestic violence and related services has declined. Collectively, those funding sources are expected to decrease by an additional 25% this year, further increasing the need for sustainable local support.”
Counseling appointments discontinued
Family Counseling and Shelter Services has discontinued counseling appointments. The organization’s counseling office on LaPlaisance Road will officially close Aug. 15, following the end of its lease.
“The end of the lease provided an opportunity for the agency to reduce expenses, reevaluate its organizational structure and determine how its limited resources can be directed toward its most essential services. The organization hopes to restore counseling services in the future, once it can do so responsibly and sustainably,” the news release said.
According to its website, FCSSMC offered counseling services for families, children and individuals. Some offerings were support groups, domestic violence counseling, batterer intervention programs, anger management groups and parenting groups.
Lindsay said people seeking counseling can contact Monroe Community Mental Health Authority at 734-243-7340; ProMedica Physicians Behavior Health of Monroe at 734-240-1760; Human Potential Center of Monroe at 734-639-2262; The Guidance Center of Southgate at 734-785-7700; or visit the Psychology Today Therapist Directory.
“Clients who utilized FCSSMC for supervised visits or batterer intervention should contact the Friend of the Court,” Lindsay said.
Domestic violence shelter not accepting residents
Lindsay said FCSSMC’s domestic violence shelter was discontinued a couple weeks ago.
“We have paused while we get staff and get them trained. We are working with funders to get it open as soon as possible,” Lindsay said.
She did not have a target reopen date.
“The agency’s domestic violence shelter is temporarily unable to accept residents while the organization addresses staffing shortages and ensures that shelter employees receive the training required by its funding partners. Reopening and sustaining the shelter is the board’s highest priority,” according to the news release.
“Our goal is not simply to reopen the doors,” said Drew Presto, president of the Family Counseling and Shelter Services’ board of directors. “We must make sure the shelter has properly trained staff, sound financial oversight and a sustainable operating structure so that survivors can depend on it now and in the future.”
Lindsay said those in need of domestic violence shelter should call FCSS’s 24/7 domestic violence hotline at 734-242-7233 (SAFE). Callers will be connected with resources.
Lindsay said Monroe County also has a domestic violence and sexual assault advocate who can be reached at 734 755-9709.
Domestic violence hotline to stay open
FCSSMC offers a confidential, 24/7 domestic violence hotline. It remains available at 734-242-7233 (SAFE). Anyone experiencing immediate danger should call 911.
“Despite these challenges, Family Counseling and Shelter Services’ confidential, 24/7 domestic violence hotline remains open and staffed. During the past year, the organization provided 3,881 nights of safe shelter, served 90 individuals through its residential program and assisted 37 nonresidential clients through its hotline,” said the news release.
“These numbers demonstrate that the need for domestic violence services in Monroe County remains significant,” Presto said. “Our organization is facing a serious situation, but our board is committed to doing everything responsibly within its power to preserve this essential community resource.”
Comprehensive review planned
“The interim director and board of directors are conducting a comprehensive review of the agency’s finances, funding, staffing, operations and compliance requirements. The board recognizes that the recent interruption in services and lack of public communication have raised questions and concerns within the community,” the news release said.
“We understand the seriousness of the situation and the impact these service interruptions may have on survivors, clients and community partners,” Lindsay said. “As the review continues, we are committed to sharing accurate, verified information and strengthening the transparency and oversight necessary to move the organization forward.”
“The board remains committed to the organization’s mission and believes access to emergency shelter, advocacy and support for people experiencing domestic violence is an essential community need,” the news release said.
Community liquidation sale Aug. 10-11
FCSSMC will hold a community liquidation sale from noon-6 p.m. Aug. 10-11 at its counseling office, 14930 LaPlaisance Road, Ste. 106 in Monroe.
Furniture, office supplies and other items from the counseling location will be available for purchase.
“To help reduce expenses and generate immediate support, the organization will hold a community liquidation sale. Proceeds will support the organization’s stabilization efforts and its work to preserve domestic violence services in Monroe County,” the news release said.
Help FCSS
“Community members can support Family Counseling and Shelter Services by attending the sale, sharing information from the organization’s official channels or contacting Drew Presto or Jamie Lindsay to discuss financial, professional or in-kind assistance or donate here,” the news release said.
Additional updates will be provided as the financial and operational review progresses and plans for reopening the shelter are developed, the news release said.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: FCSSMC temporarily closes shelter and ends counseling services for now
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News | USA TODAY Network
