LSA Family Health Service: Empowering Families and Building Community in East Harlem, New York

In the heart of East Harlem, New York, there is an oasis, the LSA Family Health Service organization, where families can find not only help, but brotherhood. Founded by the Little Sisters of Conception 66 years ago, today it is characterized by a focus on community health and a vision that includes several areas of support. LSA supports families to have good health and support in their homes and at the community centre.

LSA is one of 90 member organizations of Catholic Charities Community Services serving the Archdiocese of New York. LSA strengthens and empowers vulnerable families and children by meeting their basic needs for food, healthcare, education and a safe home, with the belief that supporting families is their own dignity developing the whole community.

LSA is committed to the poor and marginalized. Its services are for the poorest and most needy families in the community. The organization strives to reduce poverty by helping families acquire the skills and resources they need to cope and improve their economic situation, and to provide access to the their children succeed better. LSA addresses spiritual and material poverty by providing opportunities to improve self-esteem, education, socialization and community building. LSA staff educate themselves about the impact of race, class, gender and culture on the lives of our families and the organization works to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. LSA is built on its understanding of the root causes of poverty and the organization advocates for social justice, locally, nationally and globally.

LSA believes in the strength of families of all types and that healthy families are the foundation of a healthy society. Therefore, LSA serves families as they want to define themselves. The family is recognized as a system; What affects one member affects all.

The concept of friendship is what makes LSA unique within the field of human services. Both employees and families grow through the process of developing relationships with each other. Families identify their own needs and staff and family work together to develop a plan that builds on the family’s strengths. LSA helps families develop their own voice and advocate for their own needs and rights.

Services are free and available in English and Spanish.

Service includes:

• Health and family: pregnant women, mothers, fathers and children from 0 to 3 years old.
• Extracurricular activities for grades K-5, support for middle and high school students.
• Health equipment for asthma and community health.
• Benefits, food and clothing
• Immigration Assistance
• Mental health support through art therapy
• Support to ensure housing justice

For more information about LSA Family Health Services call 646-672-5200 or visit our website www.littlesistersfamily.org

Jonah Gensler is the CEO of LSA Family Health Services