Dilenschneider, Tufo Honored at Annual Meeting
At its 118th Annual Meeting on Oct. 27, Family Centers recognized one of its most passionate Board Members and an advocate for families searching for affordable housing for their unyielding dedication to the agency and its clients.
As a past Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jan Dilenschneider helped guide the agency through two successful mergers with the Center for HOPE in 2005 and HealthCare Connection in 2008. Dilenschneider also co-chaired several fundraisers, including Family Centers' 2000 Circus benefit, a Hearts of Hope dinner event with renowned physician Dr. Mehmet Oz and 2009's Business Breakfast with CNBC's Maria Bartiromo.
To thank Jan for her many contributions to the agency, Family Centers presented her with the 2009 Helen Gratz Rockefeller Outstanding Volunteerism Award.
"The hallmark of Jan's chairmanship was creativity and positive thinking," said Joan Melber Warburg, a former Board Chairman and past recipient of the award. "Her ‘big picture' approach was a perfect fit for Family Centers as the agency expanded its reach and delivered on its mission to more people than ever before. Certainly Jan has done just about everything one can do to promote the work of this agency, and she doesn't seem to ever utter the word ‘no' when it comes to Family Centers. "
Vin Tufo, Executive Director of Charter Oak Communities, was also named the 2009 Family Champion for helping to create safe, affordable housing opportunities for Stamford's most vulnerable residents. Under Vin's leadership, Charter Oak Communities (formerly the Stamford Housing Authority) completed an ambitious renewal project of Stamford's public housing complexes in 2009. The plan included the development four state-of-the-art apartment buildings for low to moderate-income residents, and also offered a host of case management, self-sufficiency services, vocational support and crisis resolution initiatives for residents.
"In many ways, the social impact on the residents and their empowerment is the most unique element that Vin had built into his plans, said Bob Arnold, President of Family Centers. Each resident was given a wide range of supportive services and opportunities to transform their lives during the entire redevelopment process. By the time families moved into their new homes, most demonstrated a newfound optimism about their own future."