“...because every child deserves a happy childhood."
Family Service & Guidance Center accountant Kaleena Harmer is giving Santa Claus a run for his money again this Christmas.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put numerous barriers in front of northeast Kansas children and families who need mental health care. Family Service & Guidance Center can now help remove many of those hurdles, thanks to a generous two-year, $4.7 million grant from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in Washington, D.C.
One of northeast Kansas’ leading health care executives and advocates for children is retiring.
About 190 people attended Friday’s limited capacity Works of Heart Event at Maner Conference Centre instead of the usual 400-plus, but that didn’t keep them from raising a record $133,000 to help Family Service & Guidance Center kids.
You're invited to enjoy Family Service & Guidance Center’s 15th annual Works of Heart Event your way!
Family Service & Guidance Center and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) have entered into an agreement to provide expanded crisis services, including substance use treatment.
The COVID-19 pandemic has required health care professionals to be innovative in how they support those who depend on them. That’s what makes Family Service & Guidance Center’s 2021 “Making a Difference” Awards unique.
The only thing better than getting holiday gifts is giving them!
That’s why Family Service & Guidance Center invites you, your family, your co-workers, your church group – anyone! – to be among Santa’s Little Helpers this season.
This year, it makes more sense than ever to avoid the mall when holiday shopping. If you shop on Amazon, you can get your shopping done and help FSGC kids by signing up for AmazonSmile.
Three Family Service & Guidance Center staff members have been recognized for not only being outstanding at their jobs but also for being leaders in their professions and communities.
Alicia Guerrero-Chavez, JD, Director of Risk Management & Support Services, has been named one of Topeka’s “20 Under 40.” She not only creates a positive culture of policy and rules compliance at FSGC, she oversees the Transportation, Facilities, Kitchen and Administrative Support Departments. Recently, Alicia was a key member of FSGC’s Coronavirus Task Force. She also serves as PTO President at Shawnee Heights Elementary School and serves as chairperson of the Fiesta Mexicana Planning Committee. She’s also been a religious education teacher for 19 years.
Kristin Powell, Pharm. D., manager of FSGC's on-site Genoa Pharmacy, has been sworn in as the President-Elect of the Kansas Pharmacists Association. As President-Elect (2021) and President (2022), Kristin looks forward to advocating for better mental health resources for the state and education for Kansas pharmacists to better serve that population. Kristin also volunteers with Christian Challenge at Washburn University, New Hope Food Pantry in Topeka and various events for Kansas Ballet Company and her church.
Gisselle Feldkamp-Rivera, PHR, Director of Human Resources, was one of just 14 nominees from businesses across Kansas for the 2020 Trombold Human Resources Professional of the Year Award. The award is given annually by the Kansas Society for Human Resources Management to recognize professionals who excel not only in the field but as volunteer leaders with SHRM and in their community, as well. Gisselle has mentored students in human resources at Kansas State University and volunteers for the Riley County Humane Society.
All of us at FSGC congratulate these three dedicated professionals on their achievements and for being recognized!
It takes more than a pandemic to keep Family Service & Guidance Center friends and supporters from providing hope and healing to northeast Kansas children.
FSGC has announced the winners of the 2020 “Making a Difference” Award, given for providing direct therapeutic services or administrative support that helps northeast Kansas children living with anxiety, depression, ADHD and other mental health issues and their families.
I have struggled to find the right words to express the heartbreak, disgust and horror I feel over the murder of George Floyd and countless others, but there are no “right words.”
Family Service & Guidance Center is committed to confronting the racism and injustice that exists in our own community. We will do better at listening and hearing each other so we can learn from each other, embrace our differences and build a stronger society.
This can only happen on a personal and systemic level, and FSGC acknowledges what is happening around us. Silence is not an option. FSGC staff members and leadership will engage in conversations -- some of which will make us uncomfortable -- with each other, with friends and neighbors and with community partners of all races and backgrounds.
I am encouraging each and every FSGC staff member to find their voice and become an active participant in our nation’s healing and change. We won’t let the “social distance” we have to put between each other keep us from having crucial conversations.
We must go the extra mile – especially now – to truly hear each other in an open, candid dialogue and to speak out against any form of racism, hatred and injustice.
As we work with northeast Kansas children and families who are struggling with these types of societal issues, we will engage with them, our partners and each other to create a more just, inclusive community.
Respectfully,
Brenda S. Mills, MSM, FACHE
CEO
A lot of us have turned to online shopping in recent months. Why not? It’s safe, convenient and easy.
And with AmazonSmile, it can benefit Family Service & Guidance Center clients!
Family 
Service & Guidance Center is making a number of modifications to how we provide services. These are being made to meet the behavioral needs of children and families and do our part to keep our clients and employees safe. It is our intent to provide as many services as possible while adhering to social distancing requirements.
For full details, click here.
At some point, every kid notices that there’s a Santa on every corner and in every store in town. Parents usually explain it away by saying, “Well, Santa needs lots of help at Christmastime!”
That’s why FSGC’s “Santa’s Little Helpers” program is just as important today as it was when it was launched years ago: to help ensure that client families have a happy holiday.
Family Service & Guidance Center’s generous supporters love a challenge.
Thousands of northeast Kansas children and families will benefit from over $106,000 in grants awarded to Family Service & Guidance Center programs and services from the FSGC Foundation.
Hundreds of community leaders and Family Service & Guidance Center supporters raised a record $119,904 at the 13th annual Works of Heart Event on August 16. The annual event benefits thousands of children with anxiety, depression, ADHD and other mental health issues across northeast Kansas.
The event, held at the Maner Conference Centre, ensures that top-quality mental health care services are available in the community for children and families who need them.
Brenda Mills, Family Service & Guidance Center CEO, said, “Everyone who attended Works of Heart is a hero to our kids. Our children depend on the services we offer in order to be successful at home and in school. Works of Heart makes it possible for us to continue to provide them.”
Twenty-one pieces of amazing artwork by FSGC clients ranging in age from four to 18 were auctioned off. A “Create Your Own Cruise” package, a Hawaiian vacation and an eight-hour rental of the historic Dillon House were also up for bid.
Works of Heart featured live jazz, a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner and the exciting live auction. The children who created the live auction artwork also attended the event, along with their families, and were recognized for their extraordinary talent and creativity.
Family Service & Guidance Center is a non-profit community mental health center that serves nearly 12,000 children living with anxiety, depression, ADHD and other mental health issues and their families each year. FSGC has been changing children’s lives since 1904.
For more information on the Works of Heart Event or to learn more about any of FSGC’s programs or services, contact Pam Evans, FSGC Director of Marketing & Development, at 785.232.7902 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Congratulations! You're among the first to see Family Service & Guidance Center's 2019 Works of Heart!
For teens, stressors and struggles don’t always arise between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. That’s why Family Service & Guidance Center is partnering with 7 Cups, a safe, confidential and free support smartphone app and website for Shawnee County young people ages 13-18.
Four local businesses are partnering with Family Service & Guidance Center to help children live happier, healthier lives during Mental Health Month 2019.
Family Service & Guidance Center invites parents and caregivers to attend “Real-World Parenting,” a series of free monthly presentations offering practical information and real-world help for raising healthier, happier children and teens.
If you have a pre-teen or teen child at home, this presentation is for you.
Family Service & Guidance Center is pleased to announce the six recipients of the organization’s annual “Making a Difference” Award, given for providing direct therapeutic services or administrative support that helps northeast Kansas children living with anxiety, depression, ADHD and other mental health issues and their families.
Seventeen Shawnee County youth have taken their own lives in the past four years. Kevin Hines is coming to Topeka to slow that trend.
Thousands of northeast Kansas kids and families will benefit from $163,065 in grants awarded to Family Service & Guidance Center programs and services.
Thousands of northeast Kansas children were given hope for a happier, healthier life at the 12th annual Family Service & Guidance Center Works of Heart Event.
For one fun day in July, Family Service & Guidance Center became known for fine dining. The savory smell of delicious breakfast burritos and tostadas floated down the organization’s halls, thanks to one Youth Development Program group.
Dr. Mike Reynolds is a retired dentist, but he hasn’t slowed down. He’s involved with several area nonprofit organizations and a vocal advocate for mental health in our community. Every year he makes a generous gift to Family Service & Guidance Center at the annual Topeka Gives event for one big reason. Why that day?
Family Service & Guidance Center wants to thank our 2018 Children’s Champions, seven outstanding sponsors of this year’s Works of Heart and Meals for Mental Health Events.
Family Service & Guidance Center welcomes three local business partners to help us celebrate May as National Mental Health Month!
Family Service & Guidance Center is pleased to honor six staff members with the “Making a Difference” Award for providing top-quality mental health care to northeast Kansas children living with anxiety, depression, ADHD and other mental health issues.
Thousands of children will benefit from the generosity of Family Service & Guidance Center employees, thanks to the 2018 FSGC Internal Fund Drive.
Family Service & Guidance Center is proud to announce that Nancy Crago, LSCSW, has received a 2017 Possibilities in Action Partner Award from USD 501, Topeka Public Schools.
About 400 hungry Topekans attended the 3rd annual Meals for Mental Health on October 20 and helped raise $22,871 to benefit FSGC kids and families.
Family Service & Guidance Center children and families will benefit from $287,797.96 in grants awarded to agency programs and services.
A familiar face has taken on a new role at Family Service & Guidance Center.
Thousands of northeast Kansas children will be happier and more successful thanks to $108,925 raised at the 11th annual Family Service & Guidance Center Works of Heart Event.
Crystal Scott, LSCSW, is FSGC's new Anxiety Treatment Program coordinator, the organization has announced.
The 5th annual Topeka Gives event was truly a celebration of giving.
And the June 6 event gave FSGC plenty to celebrate.
During the month of May – which was Mental Health Awareness Month – Performance Tire & Wheel of Topeka generously pledged to make a $10 donation to Family Service & Guidance Center for every set of tires they sold.
Heather Teufel is a human resources professional with a locally owned company and active in our community. She makes her charitable contribution to Family Service & Guidance Center on the same day each year.
All parents struggle with their kids. When they do, they need proven, practical advice.
Thanks to the generosity of staff members from across the organization, a recent Family Service & Guidance Center Internal Fund Drive raised $9,531.65.
It’s not every day you learn relaxation techniques from a five-year-old.
That was one of several activities 20 Topeka West High School students participated in a “Making a Career, Making a Difference,” an interactive day hosted by Family Service & Guidance Center and Junior Achievement of Kansas.
Three times each spring, you’ll find the Family Service & Guidance Center cafeteria jumping. Paint flies. Construction paper is meticulously cut and glued. Charcoal meets paper. Kids are buzzing with creativity. It’s an FSGC Art Day activity.
Now, thanks to a generous grant from ARTSConnect, the cafeteria won’t stop hopping anytime soon.
ARTSConnect, which promotes the arts across the Topeka community, has named FSGC one of 13 TopArts Grant recipients. Their gift will allow FSGC to purchase art supplies to be used at Art Day and Art Night activities.
Sarah Fizell, executive director of ARTSConnect, said, “We’re proud to support programs like FSGC’s art activities for kids living with mental health issues. As schools cut back their arts programs and we see very little funding at the state level, it could not be more important to ensure that programs like this have the funding that they need to support our fellow Topekans.”
Jancy Pettit, FSGC Marketing Coordinator and facilitator of art activities, said ARTSConnect’s gift meets a crucial need for FSGC clients.
“Art is often an outlet for emotions that they just don’t know how to express,” she explained, “but for a lot of our kids’ families, art supplies are just too expensive. So we’re proud to make those opportunities available. It’s an important part of helping these kids heal.”
Art Day and Art Night activities are offered in the spring and open to all current FSGC clients at no charge. Artwork created at those activities – about 150 pieces – goes on display at the annual FSGC Kids’ Art Show and Pizza Party in May, and from those, 12-15 are selected to go up for bid at the annual Works of Heart Event live auction in August. Last year’s Works of Heart Event raised nearly $109,000 to benefit the thousands of children living with anxiety, depression, ADHD and other mental health issues and their families that FSGC serves each year.
For more information on how FSGC uses art to help kids heal or to learn more about the 11th annual Works of Heart Event on August 18, contact Pam Evans, Director of Marketing & Development, at 785.232.7902 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Family Service & Guidance Center clients have spoken... and they’re extremely satisfied.
Family Service & Guidance Center is proud to announce the recipients of the 2017 Distinguished Staff Awards.
Generous FSGC supporters from across northeast Kansas attended a party to mark the completion of FSGC’s new Therapeutic Play Park on Thursday, December 8.
Kids participating in FSGC therapeutic groups will be transported to and from group in style, thanks to Hoyt’s Truck Center in Topeka.
The holidays are fast approaching, and FSGC wants to remind friends and supporters that when they shop AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), Amazon will donate .5% of the total to FSGC.
AT&T of Kansas, the Capitol Federal Foundation and the Topeka Community Foundation have made gifts to benefit thousands of northeast Kansas children and families through participation in three Family Service & Guidance Center programs.
Congratulations to Dr. Charles "Chip" Millhuff on receiving the V.J. Reddy Memorial Award from the Kansas Community Mental Health Centers Organization of Medical Directors and Psychiatric Staff (KCOMPS).
Family Service & Guidance Center is proud to announce that the 10th annual Works of Heart Event raised nearly $109,000 – a record total – to benefit northeast Kansas children with mental health issues and their families.
Colorful, amazing artwork created by 18 children and teens with mental health issues will be on display at one of Topeka’s most popular First Friday Artwalk stops. The FSGC Works of Heart artwalk stop will be held August 5 at Warehouse 414, 414 S.E. 2nd, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This art preview is part of the exciting buildup to the 10th anniversary Works of Heart Art Event.
The Featured Artists range in age from four to 17, and all of them live with anxiety, depression, ADHD or other mental health issues. Their work ranges from silly and whimsical to stunning and powerful. They will be in attendance at the Artwalk to greet the community and be recognized for their talents. Last year, approximately 750 people attended the two-hour event.
“For a lot of the kids we serve, art has become an integral part of how they express themselves,” said Brenda Mills, FSGC Chief Executive Officer. “We provide art supplies and a place to be creative, and the young people do the rest. The results are absolutely wonderful.”
Over 100 donated pieces from prominent professional artists from across the Midwest – including many from Topeka – will also be on display.
The Artwalk is a special preview of FSGC’s 10th anniversary Works of Heart Art Event which will be held Friday, August 19. Pieces displayed at the Artwalk will be auctioned off to raise money to benefit more than 14,000 children and families FSGC serves each year. Over 350 supporters attended last year’s Works of Heart Event, raising nearly $90,000. This year’s goal is $100,000.
Nearly 150 pieces of artwork were created at a series of Art Nights held for FSGC clients. Fifteen children’s pieces were chosen by the Works of Heart Planning Committee and FSGC staff, and the children and teens that created them were named Works of Heart Featured Artists.
To learn more about the First Friday Artwalk, the Works of Heart Art Event or to purchase event tickets, visit FSGCtopeka.com/worksofheart or call Pam Evans, FSGC Director of Marketing & Development, at 785.232.7902.
Family Service & Guidance Center donors raised over $16,000 at the 4th annual Topeka Gives Event, hosted by the Topeka Community Foundation, on June 7.
Friends of Family Service & Guidance Center can make a difference in children’s lives by stretching their charitable dollar at the 4th annual Topeka Gives Event. The event will be held Tuesday, June 7, from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fairlawn Plaza Shopping Center.
Bank of America has made a $5,000 gift to help at-risk families become more self-sufficient and successful.
Thanks to a gift from the Tantillo Family Foundation of Overland Park, KS, children in Family Service & Guidance Center’s psychosocial programs will continue to enjoy two very popular, proven group therapy activities.
Even the best parents can use a hand sometimes.
That’s why FSGC will once again offer our very popular course, “Parenting: Because Kids Don’t Come with Instructions.” It’s a free course, open to the public, for parents of children ages 5-9, starting April 5.
Divorce and separation are traumatic for the whole family – especially children.
That’s why Family Service & Guidance Center (FSGC) is once again offering our popular "Me in the Middle," a group for children whose parents are divorced, separated or are in the process of getting a divorce.
Family Service & Guidance Center (FSGC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2016 FSGC Distinguished Staff Awards.
Gifts collected in the final days of 2015 have brought Family Service & Guidance Center Therapeutic Play Park Campaign to a close, having reached the $354,006 goal.
Friends and supporters who signed up for Dillons Community Rewards last year to benefit FSGC are encouraged to go to dillons.com/communityrewards to re-enroll once again for 2016.
“FSGC received over $1,500 in 2015, thanks to this terrific partnership,” Pam Evans, Director of Marketing & Development said. “It’s a great program that makes it incredibly easy to give to FSGC every time you shop – but people have to re-enroll to keep this momentum going!”
Dillons has committed $2 million to the Community Rewards program for 2016. For every qualified purchase an FSGC supporter makes using their Dillons Plus Card, FSGC receives credit. Each quarter, Dillons sends FSGC a check. The more shoppers spend, the bigger FSGC’s check.
Supporters can re-enroll at dillons.com/community rewards. To make FSGC their charity of choice, supporters should be sure to enter FSGC’s non-profit organization number: DR112.
And if you didn’t sign up in 2015? There’s no better time than the present, Evans said.
“Anyone can get a Dillons Plus Card and start helping FSGC,” Evans said. “We also invite everyone who re-enrolls to bring along a couple of friends who are new to Community Rewards.”
For more information – including enrollment and re-enrollment – you can also visit FSGCtopeka.com/Dillons.
The young children and staff of FSGC’s Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) got a wonderful holiday surprise last week: Their “Candyland” themed entry into the 35th annual Sheltered Living Festival of Trees was named “Clients’ Favorite” for 2015.
Children and teens served at FSGC have a new place to celebrate their successes.
The Family Service & Guidance Center Foundation has announced grant award recipients for 2016.
The FSGC Therapeutic Play Park is closer to becoming a reality, thanks to a very generous $25,000 gift from the Sunderland Foundation of Overland Park. 
Family Service & Guidance Center is pleased to announce a $5,000 gift from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation. The gift is earmarked to help build the FSGC Therapeutic Play Park.
National Suicide Prevention Week is September 7-13, and Family Service & Guidance Center wants to remind parents about the role they can play in preventing a tragedy.
Family Service & Guidance Center’s 9th annual Works of Heart Art Event & Auction was successful in two important ways.
Family Service & Guidance Center will once again offer, “Parenting: Because Kids Don’t Come with Instructions,” a free course for parents of children ages 5-12, starting Monday, August 17.
FSGC has a new – and very different – TV commercial hitting the airwaves.
A Family Service & Guidance Center program that treats adolescents with both mental health issues and substance use disorders has received a generous $5,000 gift from the Bank of America.
A second free eight-session parenting course is open to the public and will begin Thursday, June 4.
Family Service & Guidance Center is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous $5,000 gift from the Westar Energy Foundation.
Do you buy groceries?
If you do, you can change thousands of FSGC kids' lives for the better every time you go to Dillons. And it won't cost you a dime.
FSGC's Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) received a $1,885 check from the Joe & Janet Aleshire Venture Grant Friday afternoon, February 27.
FSGC is proud to announce the recipients of the 2015 FSGC Distinguished Staff Awards.
“Selecting six out of our 280 caring, dedicated staff for recognition is extremely difficult,” Brenda Mills, CEO, said. “Each year, a few staff distinguish themselves through outstanding service to the children and families we serve. These awards are our way of saying thank you.”
Topeka agency will take a leading role in trauma treatment for children.
Family Service & Guidance Center (FSGC) is one of just 27 mental health centers in the country to be selected to participate in a nationwide training partnership being convened by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. At the end of the year-long project, FSGC will be a regional leader in treating child and adolescent trauma.
The 18th annual Family Service & Guidance Center Outback Days will be held Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For the first time, this fun, family event will be a two-day affair.
Works of Heart art event celebrates creative kids, raises record amount.More than 100 amazing pieces of art--including several created by Family Service & Guidance Center clients--helped raise over $101,000 at the 8th annual Works of Heart Art Event and Auction on Friday, August 22. Nearly 400 art lovers, community leaders and FSGC supporters were in attendance.
FSGC is pleased to announce that the new Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment (IDDT) program has received a generous $4,000 general operating grant from Bank of America.
FSGC serves nearly 13,000 children, adolescents and families from more than 40 Kansas counties each year.
