Message from the President and Board Chair

The theme of this year's Annual Report is Star Quality Service. That’s what Family Service of the Piedmont strives to provide for all our clients, who come through our doors in search of aid and empowerment in times of crisis. But it’s also what Family Service frequently receives, in the form of enthusiastic support from volunteers, donors, partners and hard-working staff. As we look back on the past year, and into the future, we celebrate the talents and dedication of our many friends in the Piedmont community, and we continue to look for new ways to bring Star Quality Service to children and families in need.

The loss of our agency’s President and CEO Tom Bonney brought a sad end to the year. All of us who knew Tom witnessed his commitment to providing the best possible service to all clients, and to growing the agency to address new issues and new populations. His vision was perhaps best expressed in Family Service’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, which continues to provide a focal point for clarifying the agency’s core mission and guiding the formation of new programs. This year, the agency’s new initiatives included expanding counseling services into Randolph County; implementing cultural competency and language training for staff to better serve non-English speaking clients; adding programs and new positions to both our Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) and the Fairview Family Resource Center; and embarking on a major new partnership as Family Service became the lead agency overseeing implementation of the 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Guilford County.

Here are just a few indicators of Star Quality Service to children and families in our community:

82% of residents at the Clara and Carpenter House shelters did not return to a violent living environment.

Six months after receiving CCCS counseling, 72% of families were able to pay their bills on time.

After completing Substance Abuse counseling, 73% of clients reported that their usage had decreased.

95% of families enrolled in Healthy Start did not experience reports of abuse or neglect.

Family Service of the Piedmont could not be so successful without the Star Quality Service we receive, in turn, from outstanding volunteers. The Guild of Family Service of Greensboro Foundation continued their long history of support for our agency with professionalism and flair, including the innovative new awareness-raiser Greensboro Style. Meanwhile, the newly-formed Guild of Family Service of High Point Foundation got off to a flying start with some spirited “fundraising and friend-raising” at their Divots and Diapers event. Other volunteers worked hard to organize the ever-popular Oyster Roasts and the Middle School Dance. And workers from Levolor Kirsch, The Latitude Group and AIG United Guaranty devoted their free time to help reorganize and redecorate the agency’s facilities. We would like to give enormous thanks to everyone involved in these and other volunteer endeavors for Family Service of the Piedmont. Our agency is truly blessed to enjoy so many generous and devoted friends.

In 2009, Family Service of the Piedmont will celebrate its ten-year anniversary. A decade ago, the two sister agencies in High Point and Greensboro affiliated to bring their combined resources and experience to the service of all Piedmont children and families. Since then, Family Service of the Piedmont has grown from strength to strength. We are excited about how far we have come, and about the possibilities that await us in the future, as we continue to pursue our mission of building safe and healthy families in the Piedmont Triad, by offering Star Quality Service to all.

A Tribute to Thomas R. Bonney 1960-2008

Thomas Ralph Bonney was President and CEO of Family Service of the Piedmont from September 2005 to August 2008, when he retired following a protracted battle with cancer.

Bonney came to Family Service during a time of upheaval in state mental health services, which had left many feeling confused and abandoned. He immediately began advocating for the needs of consumers, urging service providers and elected officials to find effective solutions to ensure mental health services continued to be available for all who needed them.

At Family Service of the Piedmont, Bonney spearheaded initiatives to expand agency core services into neighboring areas; to increase availability of services to non-English speaking clients; to ensure long-term fiscal stability; and to re-align the agency’s internal structure to better serve clients. During his presidency, Family Service also added a new Substance Abuse Services division, began partnering with local hospitals to offer full forensic exams at its Children’s Advocacy Centers, and took on a lead role in the 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Guilford County.

In his three years as President and CEO, Tom increased the agency’s budget from five million to seven and a half million dollars, and increased staff from 88 to 131, said Elizabeth Finch, chair of the Family Service of the Piedmont Board.

“Despite Tom’s challenging year with his health, he never lost sight of our mission,” Finch said. “His enthusiasm for our agency and his leadership will be sorely missed.”