Mission: To build stronger, healthier families and prevent the maltreatment of children. Affiliated with Parents Anonymous, the National Exchange Club and United Way, the Family Tree provides crisis intervention, information and referral and a 24-hour, toll-free statewide Family StressLine. The group's parent education programs focus on teaching parents new skills and strategies in a supportive, informal group setting. Trained volunteers also work with pregnant teen-agers and young fathers in a home-based mentoring program.
Latest accomplishments: The agency's award-winning television public service announcement, "You don't have to beat your kids to leave scars," has aired on local television stations and generated scores of calls for services. The agency also has worked with the Maryland State Department of Education to publish the "Parents Home Companion," a parents' resource guide.
On the horizon: The Best of Baltimore Party from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday at Bohager's at Parrot Island, 701 S. Eden St. in Fells Point. The annual Family Tree benefit features food created by area restaurants, music, dancing and drinks. Tickets are $60 in advance and $75 at the door. Call 410-752-4200. Plans also are under way for Great Chefs 2000, a fund-raising event that features a renowned chef at an intimate, gourmet meal.
About Family Tree: Clients served: More than 15,000 served annually by more than 400 trained volunteers. Operating budget: $1.7 million.
Where and when: Headquarters at 733 W. 40th St., Suite 20, Baltimore. Satellite programs in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Prince George's and Harford counties. Call 410-889-2300. The toll-free, statewide, 24-hour Family StressLine is 800-243-7337 or 410-243-7337 in the Baltimore area. Web site: www.fmlytree.org.
John K. Hoey, president of the board of directors: "Each day, the Family Tree is making a difference in people's lives -- showing a teen mother how to love and care for her newborn or listening to a frustrated father and [guiding] him to a better way to communicate with his son. The Family Tree is making a difference in the future of our communities by helping all of us learn how to be better parents."
Members of the board
Laura Borgending
Gerald H. Cooper
Raymond Crowel
James R. Eyler
Ziba Franks
Andrew D. Freeman
Dennis Garrett
Sophie Goetz
Stuart F. Gray
Anya T. Harris
Andrew Hartman
Nanette M. Holben
David A. Jacobs T.
Graham Kastendike
Julia Keelty
Patricia M. Kirk
Debbie Kissinger
Barbara A. Knox
Paul D. Levine
Thomas P. McDonald
Bruce C. McEntee
Dr. John Meyerhoff
Terry H. Morgenthaler
Susan Reier
Joanne Rosenthal
Robert J. Rytter
Gary Schatz
Betsy Sherman
William Shipp
Ossie Tate
Jeanne M. Uphouse, J.W. Thompson Webb
Philip G. Wohlfort
Sarah Woods