The Family of Woodstock Inc.

THE FAMILY OF WOODSTOCK INC.

BSHS 355

DILIEVERY OF HUMAN SERVICE

October 22, 2015

Woodstock started out as a three day music festival in 1969 that attracted over 400,000 young people from all over the world. But once the festival ended, many of those young people decided to stay in the small quiet town. Residents soon started to notice them as they slept on the park benches, in parking lots, hitch hiking through town, and asking for food and clothing. A community member named Gail Varsi decided to open the doors of her home as a safe haven for these young people. Gail Varsi gained the help of Michael Berg and 8 other committee and together they raised money with donations from local businesses and officials, organized food drives, and clothing exchanges in order to help each individual. In 1970 this committee was known as “The Soft Landin Machine” because they were specially trained to talk individuals down off drug highs. In 1971, it was the beginning of THE FAMILY OF WOODSTOCK INC. and its mission statement said “They provided confidential and fully accessible crisis intervention, information, prevention, and support to address the needs of the individual and families”. (familyofwoodstockinc.org)

The family of Woodstock began with one person wanting to make a difference and help someone in need. This organization has changed over the years and grown with the need of the community now serving Ulster County as a whole, they went from helping young people with their basic needs to being the only domestic violence shelter in the county, having a teen runaway shelter, and having several homeless shelter. They also have several walk in centers that offer case management for adults and adolescents, and continue with the food pantry and free store for clothing and hygiene products. The organization also helps with substance abuse and mental illnesses, those clients are giving referrals to counseling programs along with transportation if needed.

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