‘Connect to Wellness’ for National Recovery Month

WEST ORANGE, NJ — “Connect to Wellness” with FAMILYConnections on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Clipper Pavilion on Cherry Street in West Orange to celebrate National Recovery Month. This free festival includes activities such as arts and crafts, children’s activities, yoga, meditation, Zumba and more. For more information, contact Nancy […]

FAMILYConnections kicks off backpack collection

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — FAMILYConnections, a local counseling and family services agency, has announced the start of a “Got Your Back” backpack drive to benefit students in the agency’s Outreach to At-Risk Youth and School-Based Youth Services programs. Donations of individual school items and full backpacks will be accepted through Sept. 1 and can be […]

DREAMing of Essex without domestic violence

DREAMS works to change culture, outcomes in county

DREAMing of Essex without domestic violence

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Domestic violence has long-lasting repercussions beyond the immediate effects of pain, fear and injury. A family touched by domestic violence can struggle to regain its footing, plagued by physical and emotional reminders of its trauma. In Essex County, these families receive help from DREAMS, a program from FAMILYConnections that aims to […]

PAT provides family support services to prevent abuse, neglect

PAT provides family support services to prevent abuse, neglect

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It is no easy feat to raise children in this day and age. There are many external stressors and unavoidable family issues that can make this even more difficult. Through its Parents As Teachers program, FAMILYConnections identifies at-risk families and provides one-on-one help to ensure everyone in a home remains safe. […]

Youth leaders ADAPT to a healthier way of life

Youth leaders ADAPT to a healthier way of life

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Heading into summer vacation, many parents and guardians become concerned with how their children will fill their time. Unstructured time can be dangerous, especially for teenagers who may have access to drugs or alcohol. Luckily, Essex County parents and guardians can count on ADAPT to help them steer their children in […]

‘A Taste of NJ’s Best’ celebrates great cause with fine food

‘A Taste of NJ’s Best’ celebrates great cause with fine food

EAST ORANGE, NJ — FAMILYConnections recently honored James Laird, award-winning chef of Chatham’s Restaurant Serenade, and former Maplewood Mayor Ellen M. Davenport at the Westminster Hotel in Livingston during “A Taste of NJ’s Best.” Laird received FAMILYConnections’ 2017 Champion of the People Award for his work in mentoring young people. Davenport received FAMILYConnections’ 2017 Lifetime […]

FAMILYConnections’ annual Tasting Gala returns

LIVINGSTON, NJ — FAMILYConnections 13th annual Tasting Gala will be Tuesday, May 2, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Westminster Hotel in Livingston. This year’s honorees are award-winning chef James Laird, who will receive the Champion of the People award, and former FAMILYConnections President and Maplewood Mayor Ellen Davenport, who will receive the Lifetime […]

ADAPT recognizes exceptional community members

ADAPT recognizes exceptional community members

EAST ORANGE, NJ — The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team recently held its annual dinner at Essex County Hospital, thanking 16 members of the community who went above and beyond to help ADAPT accomplish its goals and objectives this past year. ADAPT, managed by FAMILYConnections, is a community coalition dedicated to reducing underaged drinking […]

Jack & Jill Greater Essex County introduces new reading corner

ORANGE, NJ — The Greater Essex County NJ Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. recently announced the grand opening of a new reading corner at FAMILYConnections in Orange during National Family Reading Month. A celebration and ribbon-cutting were held Sunday, Nov. 20, to mark the opening of this space, which was designed by […]

#itscalledatanktop — a ‘wife beater’ is very different

Don’t normalize domestic violence; help to end it instead

#itscalledatanktop — a ‘wife beater’ is very different

EAST ORANGE, NJ — October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and much has been done to bring awareness to the disease so far. But this is also National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and more should be done to combat this insidious killer lurking in our society. FAMILYConnections, a nonprofit organization based in East Orange […]