Family Services Association celebrating 100 years

The Daily Star announced that Family Service Association is marking its centennial with several events this year. The festivities start Saturday with a 1 p.m. panel discussion about the agency, founded in 1909, at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society's history center at 183 Main St.

Residents who have worked with the agency are invited to attend and share, and the agency also has a display in the history center's Main Street window this month noting the event.


While the name and location have changed over the years, the mission remains the same: "to strengthen individual families and assist residents in meeting their needs," related the board president, Debbie Chicorelli.

There are four programs that provide assistance: "emergency services, clothing, a parenting resource center and training," said board member Cynthia McCarthy.


FSA Executive Director Mary O'Conner said she hopes people come and "join us in the fun."
She started with the agency in 1987, when it was still at the Wilber Mansion on Dietz Street.
The organization moved to its Chestnut Street location in 1994 to be more accessible to clients and better able to help people, she said.

She was there when the agency made the transition from one paid position, she said. Today, there are three full-time and one part-time staff members.


During that period, the agency has grown from serving 350 families, mostly in Oneonta, to more than 1,400 in Otsego County.