OUR STORIES

Thrifty Thursday: Preparing Windows for Cooler Weather
Thrifty Thursday: Preparing Windows for Cooler Weather

Happy October! This time of year typically has warm, pleasant daytime temperatures and cool, but not cold evenings.  It is nice to enjoy fresh air...

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Thirfty Thursday: Save Money when Cooking Ground Beef
Thirfty Thursday: Save Money when Cooking Ground Beef

We often inquire why all the disasters and atrocities, alongside poverty are happening, and – for those who believe – are allowed by...

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Success was in the Bag at the 1st Annual Community Fair
Success was in the Bag at the 1st Annual Community Fair

August 8th turned out to be a perfect day and it wasn’t just the sunny skies and cool breeze. 20 local businesses and organizations spread...

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Armstrong Antlers and Anglers helps Stuff the Bus
Armstrong Antlers and Anglers helps Stuff the Bus

Success is in the Bag for Crawford County Students. The Center for Family Services, Inc. provides new book bags and school supplies to any student...

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A parent’s story of managing anger
A parent’s story of managing anger

A parent’s story of managing anger Mark loves his boys, but sometimes his anger gets the best of him. When he and the boy’s mother decided...

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Making tough choices
Making tough choices

The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.- Mahatma...

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CFS wins PHFA Housing Counseling Agency of the Year
CFS wins PHFA Housing Counseling Agency of the Year

Award winning service Recently, Center for Family Services Executive Director, Pam Leap Jarrell and Housing Counselor, Diann Bolharsky, made the...

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Living on the Edge of Poverty: Samantha’s Story
Living on the Edge of Poverty: Samantha’s Story

Shawnel Toomey, our Essential Services Supervisor stopped me the other day to meet Samantha and Azayleeah.  They had just finished meeting with...

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A New Bike for a Special Boy
A New Bike for a Special Boy

  The room was full of hope.  I could feel it. I could see it on the faces of the parents sitting on chairs waiting for the presentation to...

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How would you spend $1,000
How would you spend $1,000

What would you do with $1000?  Depending on how you spend it, it could disappear rather quickly or last a while.  That was the task I set upon...

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Finds from the Thrift Store: Silk Tie Dyed Eggs for Easter
Finds from the Thrift Store: Silk Tie Dyed Eggs for Easter

We love our Thrift Store for many reasons.  The main reason is that the proceeds allow us to serve more families in need here in Crawford County...

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Age doesn’t matter, it’s what’s in your heart
Age doesn’t matter, it’s what’s in your heart

One of the things that has never ceased to amaze me since my first day at CFS, nearly 10 years ago, is the selflessness of this community.  The...

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Testimonials

We love hearing from our Community

To the Center for Family Services for providing assistance. The department has treated me with the upmost respect and understanding of being low income residence of Meadville. Thank you Center for Family Services for helping me rebuild my foundation to secure a home - and thank you for boots for work!

John Q.

I don’t know if you remember me. My name is Sarah Swartz. My friend, Jess and I met with you because I was homeless with my 3 children last year. I was running out of hope and could not find any help until we met with you. You were kind enough to look up my credit report and suggested I call Stephanie Turner with Elevation Mortgage. After that I called Stephanie Turner and found a realtor, Samantha Blount. After 6 months of living on a porch in a tent and then in a camper we finally made it to a house located at 798 Market Street in Meadville. I want to thank you. It doesn’t feel like enough just to say thank you. Homelessness was a situation I never thought I would find myself in because Ive always worked and have always been careful with the money I make. After looking for help everywhere I could think of, searching for a home and having everything lead to absolutlely nothing, I was feeling pretty defeated and ready to give up. You gave me the first step I needed and the hope I needed to get back on my feet. Thank you so very much!

Sarah Swartz

The Center was great when I moved to Meadville several years ago. Your help was very much appreciated!

Mary L.

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