We develop the programs to meet the need. Not everyone knows what FSW stands for, but most everyone in the Greater Bridgeport Area has heard of Family Services Woodfield—our former name. That is because we have been serving the Greater Bridgeport area for 165 years.
The Sterling Home of Bridgeport, a home for needy widows, opened in 1849. In 1870, the Bridgeport Protestant Orphan Asylum (later known as Woodfield Children's Village) opened. It grew to offer institutional and foster care, adoption and services to unmarried parents. Fast-forward through a series of mergers to 1972, when these two agencies combined and Family Services Woodfield was created. Through the 80’s and 90’s FSW was licensed an outpatient psychiatric clinic for adults, became one of the early organizations to serve people with HIV/AIDS, began a homelessness prevention program, started creating successful entrepreneurs with Workshops in Business Opportunities (WIBO) and added Deaf Sign Language interpreter services. When we looked at our client’s needs, we saw that more services were needed. FSW began to help elevate families out of poverty through programs that ensure financial stability, security and growth. We added an outpatient psychiatric clinic for children, a walk in mental health clinic and services for at-risk youth. Literacy Volunteers of Southeastern Fairfield County merged with FSW. We became the local provider for Meals on Wheels, first in Bridgeport and later in New Haven. Family Services Woodfield became FSW in 2003, and received the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s “2004 Families Count” award, for our innovative programs that respond to the changing needs of the communities we serve. Today FSW is still evolving. Our mission is to mission is to empower people to build a brighter future. Our holistic approach links flexible, innovative, collaborative programs to restore personal capability, develop skills, and build pathways to economic self-sufficiency.
