News

Edwin Gould - Number 1 in New York.

Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families was ranked number 1 in New York. Click here to see the 2004 EQUIP Scores and Ratings for ACS Foster Boarding Home Programs.

Agency of the Month - New York Nonprofit Press

Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families was featured in the October 2005 issue of New York Nonprofit Press. Click here to read the full article on pages 12-13. (The pdf file is large, and may take a few moments to open. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the file. It can be downloaded for free from Adobe.)

---

TRANSITION OF SISTER MARY NERNEY, DIRECTOR OF THE STEPS TO END FAMILY VIOLENCE PROGRAM

On June 22, 2007, Sister Mary Nerney, STEPS to End Violence Program Founder and Director, retired from Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families (EGSCF). A former educator and psychologist, Sr. Nerney contributed to the health, safety and well-being of women, children and families in New York City and State and at the national level for over twenty-two years. She is recognized and revered for pioneering domestic violence and criminal justice services for battered women defendants in the courts and prison system as well as during their transition after release.

The STEPS to End Violence Program began as a consequence of a landmark hearing in 1985 at the Bedford Hills, New York Correctional Center, in which twelve women prisoners testified about the abuse they suffered, which led to their arrest and imprisonment. Sr. Nerney attended those hearings and resolved to take action on behalf of abused women and children and to change the conditions of their lives before and after they are forced to enter the criminal justice system.

In 1986, with the sponsorship of EGSCF, Sr. Nerney commenced her services with the Agency to establish, organize and implement a center for services, education and prevention of family violence. At that time, the program served approximately 250 women and 75 children. Under Sr. Mary’s leadership the program has expanded and currently works with over 400 women, 2,000 adolescents and 75 children in the New York City Metro area. Under Sr. Nerney’s helm the STEPS Program, that began as a small and innovative response to domestic violence, has grown and now consists of a the following comprehensive and holistic host of services and programs to support families:

• Alternatives to Incarceration Program (ATI)
• Children’s Therapy Program
• Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP)
• Teen Accountability Program (TAP)
• Stepping Stones to Success
• Taking STEPS Against Domestic Violence & Substance Abuse
• Families in Transition
• Youth Changing Abusive Patterns (Youth CAP).

Through the establishment of these many comprehensive services, Sister Nerney distinguished herself as a leader in the formation of collaboration and coalitions across New York State, including the New York State Coalition to End Domestic Violence, the New York City Coalition of Battered Women’s Advocates, and the East Harlem Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Over the years Sister Mary received many awards, accolades and honors for her contributions to breaking the cycle of family violence in the community. To further thank and express our sincerest appreciation to Sister Nerney for her many years of service on Monday, March 3, 2008 a recognition event will be held in her honor.

EGSCF IS OPENING A NEW BRONX SITE

BRONX SITE ACS has approved the opening of a new EGSCF office site in the Bronx. The Bronx is a high placement area and having a site to serve this population will strengthen the Agency’s position in the community. This is also a significant milestone because the Agency will now have a physical presence in all communities that EGSCF serves.

The new office site will be located at 147th Street, Bronx, New York. The site will house a staff of approximately twelve workers. Fatima Howard, the current Foster Boarding Home (FBH) Bronx Supervisor will take the position of Assistant Director of the site.

Currently, renovations are being completed at the site. Conference rooms to hold Family Team Conferences meetings and offices for the Home finding and Bronx supervisors will be built. An equipment room, training room and two playrooms will also be constructed.