Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much. This inspirational quote from Helen Keller, author, educator and advocate, reminds us that when we work together, we can achieve great things. At the Hammonton Family Success Center (HFSC), the community is taken care of through the dedication of many doing just that, working together.
HFSC, according to their website, is a community-based, family-centered neighborhood gathering place where any community resident can go for family support, information and services.
“Services include family friendly activities to create a happy home, including baking, food nights, home schooling, toddler groups, resources and referrals for economic assistance – home energy, food stamps, tax applications, senior citizen support, jobs,” explained Tricia Donio, MSW, director of the Hammonton Family Success Center and AtlantiCare Afterschool Program.
“All of this is free.”
Donio, a native of Hammonton, has been in this leadership role for the past 20 years and leads a staff of three family support workers. With a background in social work, Donio launched her career at the HFSC 25 years ago as a social work intern and quickly moved into the director role putting her “heart and soul” into her work. Donio added that one of the reasons she was offered the director role was due to her “passion” about Hammonton, a town of approximately 15,000.
“I’ve always returned to my hometown,” she said. “ I have the advantage of knowing generations of families.
Donio enjoys helping her people navigate through the system. “When you help one person in our community, that spreads,” she stated.
One family who benefits from this community resource hub explained that the HFSC helps her family “face and solve the problems.”
AtlantiCare Behavioral Health writes the grant to Atlantic County for funding by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, according to Donio.
“Funding is always in the back of my mind as the director,” she relayed. “Every year you worry about this.”
At the Hammonton Family Success Center (HFSC), the community is taken care of through the dedication of many doing just that, working together.
The community plays an essential part in making the HFSC, which serves over 1,300 families annually, flourish. Donio seeks out volunteers and partnerships to provide services to all who benefit from the center – children, families and individuals in the immediate and surrounding communities. From the food pantry to the arts programs, volunteers and partnerships are critical to the activities at HFSC.
As an example, HFSC partners with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and takes donations from the community for the free food pantry.
“We typically serve 50 to 70 families each week,” stated Donio. The food pantry is the most frequented service and is open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon and from 4-5 p.m.
To further illustrate, from August through December 2024, The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University, provided twice a month free art programs for members of the community, stated Michael Cagno, executive director of The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University.
“The workshops varied include everything from taking old pallets and up cycling them into planter boxes, holiday decor and other functional items,” he explained. “We also did painting classes which included watercolors and acrylics while also introducing calligraphy and writing.”
Instructors were professional artists from the area, added Cagno. The program was sponsored by the Atlantic Center for Independent Living. “Everyone loved the programs,’ he said. “We are working on developing more for the spring.”
Another beneficial partnership is through the before and after school program for AtlantiCare Behavioral Health at the Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School. Staff from the HFSC provide activities for pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students every Thursday.
“Most of the time it is a STEM activity, from building Legos to STEM projects and a Bingo game once a month, which is a favorite amongst the students,” explained Anella Scardino, program manager AtlantiCare Before and After School Program.
She added that HFSC participates in activities throughout the year, such as providing meals and programming for special events.
“The HFSC is an important and wonderful establishment in our community, and they are always willing to partner with us to provide fun activities for the families that live here,” said Scardino.
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJDCF) created Family Success Centers (FSC) in 2007. With an initial grant of $4 million, 20 FSCs were established throughout the state. Today, there 59 FSCs in New Jersey, and the state’s goal is “to address the problems that threaten the safety and stability of families and the community,” according to the New Jersey Department of Children and Families website.
The site also lists the following program services core services:
- Access to information on child, maternal and family health services, economic self-sufficiency and job readiness
- Information and referral services (connection to off-site public and private resources
- Life skills training
- Housing services
- Parent education
- Parent-child activities
- Advocacy
Donio noted that especially in today’s economy, HFSC is needed more than ever. “I think if the HFSC was not there, people would have to travel for services. Not easy when you are navigating the social service system,” she stated.
For more information, please see the contact information below.
Hammonton Family Success Center
310 Bellevue Avenue
Hammonton, NJ 08037
609-567-2900
HFSC Email: patricia.donio@atlanticare.org
Website: https://www.atlanticare.org/for-our-community/hammonton-family-success-center/
