As the Child & Family Center celebrated 50 years of service Thursday evening with a special ceremony at its headquarters, local dignitaries and founding members gathered to commemorate the milestone and look ahead to the organization’s next 50 years.
For organization CEO Nikki Buckstead, 50 years is a milestone worth noting, but the work isn’t done.
“This community is growing and it’s our responsibility to continue to respond to the needs of our community. Our community is going to let us know what they need,” she said. “We’re going to have to continue to support those kids, support the teens, the foster youth, the families and survivors of domestic violence.”
The organization provides mental health, domestic violence, prevention and outreach services to those in need throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and San Fernando Valley, and Buckstead recognized the leaders who came before her for the organization’s success, as well as the staff who are essential to the daily operations and directly connecting with those in need.
Among the many guests were Linda Murray Gregorson and Liz Seipel. Seipel, one of the founding members of the organization, embraced Murray Gregorson as they looked at the timeline of when they first opened their doors up until the present day.
They both reminisced on the early days, and took in what the organization has now become, with a permanent location, additional programs, and growing support. Murray Gregorson was the artist who created the notable sculpture in the middle of the headquarters’ entrance, and it was something she “was honored to do,” she said. Looking into the future, she only hopes the organization continues to serve more people in need and continue a preschool program.
“Everything they’re doing here is good. The program for abused women, family violence, it’s all so wonderful,” she said, adding how proud she was of everyone involved.
Sue Leo, a former crisis coordinator who worked at the center from 1995 to 2005, took a moment to look over the organization’s art wall, which featured hundreds of photos from annual events such as Taste of the Town and the Purple Walk. The photos showcased the organization’s efforts to raise funds and further its mission.
“It’s beautiful,” she said as they celebrated 50 years. “It tells you that mental health services for children is still growing and thriving and changing and developing. We’ve watched children’s mental health go from children in school all the way down to now newborns. So, recognizing that children need help even before they get to school, I just hope that it continues to expand and grow and not have a stigma around it.”
The organization only plans on furthering its mission, because “we are here to help people. We are here when a parent doesn’t know where to turn. We are here when a child is struggling. We are here when someone is working towards recovery for substance use and we are here when a survivor reaches out when they’re ready to seek safety,” Buckstead said.
