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Familia Adelante/Family Forward

Empowering Families to Move Forward—Together

Launched in 2017, Familia Adelante / Family Forward is Mercy Center’s innovative family strengthening program designed to help immigrant families in the South Bronx grow and prosper. Through a trauma-informed, strengths-based “Whole Family” or “2-Gen” approach, the program supports both parents and children in setting meaningful goals and working collaboratively to achieve them.

At the heart of Familia Adelante is trust—between families, staff, and community partners. We prioritize each family’s voice, goals, and values while building a supportive network that fosters long-term stability and success.

Program Approach

Each participating family is paired with a dedicated family worker and develops a personalized family plan. Together, they set goals in four key areas:

Economic Stability

Families build financial literacy, create budgets, set savings goals, and work toward new or improved employment.
Educational Advancement

Parents and children access ESOL classes, academic supports, and resources for continuing education and workforce development.
Family Relationships

The program strengthens parent-child communication, fosters shared goal-setting, and promotes healthy coping strategies.
Overall Well-being

Families participate in mindfulness workshops and wellness activities that improve emotional and physical health.

A Collaborative Model

Mercy Center leads the program in partnership with:

Qualitas of Life Foundation – financial literacy workshops and coaching
Fiver Children’s Foundation – academic coaching and youth development support
Certified Mindfulness Practitioner Maritza Puello – stress reduction and family connection workshops

This collaboration ensures that families receive comprehensive and coordinated services tailored to their unique needs.

Youth Engagement

All children of participating families also take part in Mercy Center’s robust youth programs, including After School, Summer Camp, and year-round STEAM enrichment activities. These programs support academic success, emotional development, and personal growth.

Impact and Growth

Now in its eighth year, Familia Adelante serves more than 100 families annually. In 2024-2025, 121 families—including 555 individuals—participated in the program. An adapted “Self-Sufficiency Matrix” helps measure progress across basic needs, employment, education, and wellness. Recent evaluations show that families consistently make measurable gains in these areas.

The program’s success has been recognized by multiple independent evaluations and continues to evolve. In 2025, we introduced new offerings like free summer camp access through Camp Fiver and educational workshops on the NYC high school and college application process. In partnership with the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, we are also expanding financial planning tools and educational savings opportunities for our families.

FUNDERS

Thanks to our supporters!

We are very grateful for the generosity of the individuals, groups, businesses, foundations, and friends that partner with us to provide education, family, civic, social, and economic programs to the residents of the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. Together, we’re making a difference in the lives of the women, men and families that reside in our community.