Familylinks to Expand Senior Services Programs, Become Parent of Vintage
Vintage to Retain Name, Programs, Service Locations and Management
The Boards of Directors of two non-profit agencies this week voted unanimously to authorize the affiliation of Familylinks and Vintage, Inc. as part of their respective plans to expand Familylinks’ overall senior ancillary services and to grow Vintage’s programs and services.
This affiliation, a complementary fit between the organizations, will not have any effect on the current programs, service locations or staffing of either the Vintage senior center programs and activities serving the east end neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, or of the Familylinks programs. This affiliation will ensure the continuation of the Vintage programs in the years ahead, and add to Familylinks’ senior services.
Viewed and encouraged by major funders as a progressive move for both non-profits, this strategic alliance is a result of future planning by both organizations that share similar missions, cultures, services and operational support that will benefit programming for seniors in the region. Due diligence was recently completed by both organizations with the respective Boards voting last week to proceed with a formal affiliation. As a subsidiary, Vintage will maintain its Board of Directors, including some representation on the Familylinks Board. This affiliation must also be approved by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office and is expected to take effect on July 1, 2015.
Formed in 2000 as the result the merger of The Whale’s Tale and Parent & Child Guidance Center, Familylinks and its predecessor organizations have served southwestern Pennsylvania for more than 50 years, bringing vital support services to the most vulnerable children, adults and families. Familylinks is a financially healthy organization managed by Chief Executive Officer Fred Massey, and supported by a staff of 340 people.
Vintage, founded in 1973 with the mission to promote health and wellness for older adults, will continue to operate under its same name with the same programs, facilities and services for older adults. The senior-based organization will benefit from being part of the larger Familylinks organization in which scale and efficiencies will improve its operating infrastructure and ability to sustain and develop senior programs. The Vintage staff of 11 people will all retain their jobs and become employees of Familylinks. Ann Truxell, executive director of Vintage, Inc., will become part of the Familylinks leadership team and play an important role in continuing and growing the Vintage programs.
In addition to Vintage bringing an established senior services agency to this affiliation, Familylinks is exploring an expansion of its senior services due to growing demand for support of this population.
Recently, Familylinks was licensed to become a regional provider for a Medicaid mobile therapy program. Also, Familylinks was selected through a RFP process in 2012 by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services/Area Agency on Aging in being awarded a contract to provide OPTIONS Care Management services for older adults in Allegheny County.
“Vintage is a perfect strategic fit with our organization as we share a history of success when it comes to leading the region in developing and providing high quality community-based programs that promote the health, wellness and independence of individuals and families,” said Fred Massey, Chief Executive Officer of Familylinks. “Our plan is to grow Familylinks senior services and to continue to nurture and grow Vintage and its programs. We are very pleased that Vintage’s entire team will be joining our organization,” added Mr. Massey.
Commenting on the affiliation, Ann Truxell of Vintage said, “We are planning for the future of our senior programs through this strategic alliance and we are thrilled to become a part of Familylinks because we share similar missions focused on the health, well-being and independence of the populations we serve. Our Board believes we have found the right partner with the same commitment to service excellence, similar core values and organizational cultures. This is a perfect match and good news for seniors in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania.”
As the parent organization, Familylinks will also benefit through increased facility capacity by renovating a building in East Liberty currently owned by Vintage which is not being fully utilized. The building to be renovated is a 160-year-old mansion on N. Highland Avenue, located adjacent to the current Vintage facility which will remain in operation.
ABOUT FAMILYLINKS
Familylinks provides a continuum of services that address multi-dimensional and complex needs, with the goal of helping individuals and families become whole, strong, independent and productive. Because of the increasing level of need for the senior population, Familylinks is specifically interested in additional expansion in the aging services field. Familylinks has an annual operating budget of $19 million.
Familylinks serves nearly 8,000 people annually through its service locations throughout Southwestern PA. Familylinks is proud of the unique role it plays in keeping families whole, strong, independent, and productive. It delivers a wide array of short- and long-term services that benefit children, youth, and families. It provides each of its clients with a compassionate response designed specifically to deal with their own, distinct challenges.
Familylinks’ provides critical services in three broad areas: Behavior Health Services, Community Support Services, and Youth and Family Services. Recently, Familylinks received the Employer Award from the non-profit advocacy agency called Standing Firm which focuses on integrating ways of addressing partner violence that keep the workplace safe for staff and clients. For more information, visit www.familylinks.org
ABOUT VINTAGE
Vintage Inc. was founded in 1973 as a senior center in the East End of Pittsburgh and has a vision to lead the region in developing and providing a high-quality, comprehensive senior center promoting the wellness of older adults. Although Vintage attracts clients from a broad spectrum of neighborhoods, the primary areas served are East Liberty, Homewood and Wilkinsburg. Vintage is located in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh and is a contracted provider for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services/Area Agency on Aging.
Vintage plays an important role in the lives of older adults by offering a wide array of high quality activities with a focus on pro-active health and wellness, such as yoga and tai chi, dance and art classes, travel to museums and live performances, computer classes, health screenings, informational speakers and daily meals.
Vintage is a licensed provider of Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, an evidence-based program for adults to learn management strategies for conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, cancer and other ongoing health issues. This program is supported by Highmark, the Allegheny County Medical Society and the United Way of Allegheny County, and is provided in partnership with the Community College of Allegheny County. For more information, visit www.vintageseniorservices.org