Child & Family Services of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. (CFS) is a non-profit social services agency serving communities in Berrien County, Michigan. Since its founding in 1891, CFS has served over 250,000 people with a broad array of social services for children, families and adults of all ages including adoption; foster care; individual, marital and family counseling; crisis intervention and residential treatment; and home and respite care.
Representatives of CFS and Southshore started a series of meetings in 2002 that led to the definition of functional requirements, conceptual design and detail design of new working spaces for CFS administrative and program activities. In October 2003, Southshore’s real estate development staff completed the construction of the new CFS administrative offices and program space. CFS recognized Southshore’s exceptional efforts on this project by presenting their annual CFS Guardian Angel Award to Ted and Judy Kirshenbaum. Ted is a principal of the Southshore Companies. In the 2004-2005 Child & Family Services of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. Annual Report, Dr. Karen Olson, CFS Executive Director, writes:
“The rich history of Child & Family Services would not be what it is today without the generosity of many individuals, organizations and businesses that contribute their time, talent and resources to CFS. This year”s recipients of the Guardian Angel award for outstanding contribution to further the mission of CFS are Ted and Judy Kirshenbaum of Southshore.
“In 2002, when a move from Chapin Hall on South State Street became inevitable, the Board of Directors commissioned Dr. Olson to begin a search for new offices. From the first minute the Kirshenbaums walked in the door, it was evident that Southshore had taken an interest in our agency and really cared about us and the work we do.
“Ted understood that we continually maintain a very tight budget, and that this move would be no exception. The quality of our new buildings on our campus on M-139 was beyond the dreams of anyone on the CFS staff – in a word, they are gorgeous. CFS has gotten incredible “bang for the buck” from Southshore. Ted built beautiful structures; however, it was Judy whose assistance in choosing the décor made them both professional and beautiful.
“Enough cannot be said about how wonderful Southshore has been to CFS. They know-how to provide top-notch customer service, and the care and concern shown for the CFS staff and its clients have been incredible. Thank you to Ted and Judy Kirshenbaum and everyone at Southshore for all they have done for CFS.”
Southshore is extremely proud of its long and close relationship with Child & Family Services of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. Please go to the CFS website for more information about the work that CFS does in our community.