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Community Corner

Family Centers Board Member, Employee Named "Family Champions"

Family Centers’ board member Marge Berkley and staff member Sharon Algona were recognized as “Family Champions” by the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA) for their outstanding commitment to improving the lives of families.

At a ceremony held at the Trumbull Marriot on May 15, the CCFSA honored Berkley, Alogna and 28 other human services professionals and volunteers whose unselfish actions have strengthened families in Connecticut. 

During her 20 years on the Family Centers Board of Directors, Berkley has served in numerous capacities – most notably as Chairman from 2008-2010.  She is also very active in all of Family Centers’ fundraising efforts.  Berkley has co-chaired several fundraisers, including Family Centers’ 2000 Circus benefit and a very successful business breakfast series featuring such notable speakers as Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo.  She also co-chaired and expanded this year’s 14th Annual Scrabble Challenge to benefit Literacy Volunteers.

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In addition to her duties on the Family Centers Board, Berkley is also an active volunteer with the Nurturing Families Network and leads socialization and support groups to help first-time parents living in Stamford and Greenwich.

Alogna first came to Family Centers as a volunteer student teacher 3 years ago, and was subsequently hired as a full-time teacher at the Joan Melber Warburg Early Childhood Center once her internship ended. As the primary teacher for a group of two-year-olds, she provides high quality and nurturing care.

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For parents, Alogna is a warm, welcoming presence in the classroom.  She makes parents feel exceptionally comfortable through her support and interactions – especially when they are new to a childcare setting anxious to leave their child.  Alogna has also emerged as a leader, and was selected to be a mentor teacher for a UCONN student.

The Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies, Inc. (CCFSA) is a statewide network of independent, non-profit, family service agencies that deliver services from over 90 offices located throughout the state of Connecticut. Member Agencies are community-based, licensed by the State of CT and nationally accredited. Governed by volunteer boards of directors drawn from their respective communities, Family Service Agencies have been effectively serving CT families for over 100 years. CCFSA employs a professional staff to assist in achieving its mission.


Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering education and human services to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. More than 1,300 professionals and trained volunteers work together to provide a wide range of responsive, innovative programs. A United Way and Community Fund of Darien partner agency, Family Centers is a member of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies and the Alliance for Children and Families and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The agency is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Visit www.familycenters.org for additional information.

 





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