Family Centers honors Jan Dilenschneider for outstanding volunteer service

Family Centers recently honored Darien resident and past Board Chairman Jan Dilenschneider, a volunteer whose exemplary efforts have allowed Family Centers to continue to provide much-needed services to children, adults and families in Fairfield County.

At its 118th Annual Meeting on Oct. 27, Family Centers presented Dilenchneider with the Helen Gratz Rockefeller Outstanding Volunteerism Award. The award is the agency's highest honor for exceptional volunteer service, and is given to a member of the Board of Directors who displays an unparalleled dedication to Family Centers and its clients each year.

"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."

During her tenure as Family Centers' Board Chairman, 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 2008's Business Breakfast with CNBC's Maria Bartiromo. This year marks Dilenschneider's 12th year as a member of Family Centers' Board of Directors.

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering education and human services to children, adults and families in Fairfield County.

More than 1000 professionals and trained volunteers work together to provide a wide range of responsive, innovative programs. A United Way partner agency, Family Centers is a member of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies and the Alliance for Children and Families and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The agency is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Visit www.familycenters.org or call 203-869-4848 for additional information.