Our History
Family Service of Racine began as the Central Association in May 1910. At that time, we were a community-based umbrella social service organization, composed of the local Boys Club, a daycare center, the Visiting Nurses Association, and the Big Sisters association. Important moments in our history include:
May 31, 1910
Central Association formed with Mr. Henry Wallis, President, and Mr. William Horlick, Vice President.
1918
The agency began housing area soldiers and providing Sunday breakfasts.
1919
The facility was used as a boarding home.
1925
The facility housed the Social Service Exchange
1931
The agency was named by the City of Racine to administer its relief and unemployment programs.
1932
The agency employed a community dentist to serve clients.
1936
Agency opened a nursery school.
1951
Our name was officially changed to Family Service of Racine, as the agency was more involved in services to the community.
1964
FSR became an on-the-job work experience site, providing instruction in such areas as healthcare, emergency help, daycare, and teaching.
1970
FSR began providing budget counseling.
1982
Project F.A.C.E. began as a joint program with Children's Service, Catholic Social Services, Lutheran Social Services, and Family Service of Racine.
1986
FSR began the CHOICE program for single-parent families.
1998
The agency began assisting senior citizens age 60 and over, under the Benefits Specialist Program.
2004
FSR began an Alternative to Violence program for male offenders of domestic violence. FSR also co-sponsored, with UW Parkside, the Conference on Abuse.
2005
New programming included services to inmates at Ellsworth Correctional Institution.
2010
The agency celebrated 100 Years of Service to the Racine community!
2014
Incorporated MargaretAnn's Program into the FSR array of services, providing free support groups to children and adolescents that have experienced the loss of someone important to them.
2019
FSR began Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange services to foster healthy, positive parent-child relationships in a neutral, supervised setting.
2020
FSR merged with the Racine Family YMCA.