Making a Difference

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 through open windows.  You know what else is great?  The break from the extra expense of heating and cooling our houses. Unfortunately, the days of open windows and only needing… View Article

Thrifty Thursday: Save Money when Cooking Ground Beef

Thrifty Thursday: Save Money when Cooking Ground Beef Ground beef can be an economical choice when cooking on a budget.  A pound of ground meet added to the ingredients for chili can feed the family and leave enough for another meal.  The price of ground beef has skyrocketed, however.  If a family wants to watch… View Article

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 out over Diamond Park in Meadville.  Each one offering free activities, giveaways or information for event attendees. The “Success is in the Bag” Community Fair was sponsored by Center for Family… View Article

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 in Crawford County from pre-k to 12th grade. Many local families struggle with every day financial issues. Adding the expense of clothing and school supplies for Back to School, may… View Article

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 to divorce, the stress only made Mark angrier. His anger was threatening visitation with the people he loved most in this world. In the best interest of his children, Mark attended an Anger Management class at the Center… View Article

Making tough choices

No where else to turn Megan stopped by on a cold January afternoon. She was pushing a stroller with a happy baby inside.  Megan needed some help and she didn’t know where else to go.  Her furnace had an issue in December and it caused her gas bill to go up.  Living on a limited… View Article

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 drive to Harrisburg, PA to attend the  Annual PHFA (Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency)Housing Counseling awards ceremony.  What made the trip special was that CFS was presented with one of six Best Agency Awards in… View Article

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 Shawnel for help with a rent delinquency.  Happily, we were able to assist the issue with funds from the HAP Rental Assistance program. I was glad to meet the two and Azayleeah is… View Article

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 begin. Little Kellen was there with his mom and dad, and Laura.  Laura has been involved with Kellen’s family many months.  She is providing counseling to help… View Article

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 myself when approached by our local Meadville WalMart to apply for their community grant.  The WalMart Foundation has several focus areas, one of which is Hunger Relief… View Article

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, Pennsylvania.  We also love to find cool new ways to re-purpose Thrift Store finds!  We have a board dedicated to just that on the CFS Pinterest page. Easter… View Article

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 number of young people who have given up Birthday presents and volunteered with huge smiles on their faces over the years is a source of renewal for… View Article