The Peru Gazette

The Samaritan Family Counseling Center located in Peru, NY has been awarded full accreditation for the years 2012-2016, The Samaritan Institute, located in Denver, Colorado, announced today.   “Accreditation is a major accomplishment and demonstrates a Center’s commitment to excellence,” according to the Rev. Dr. Paul Bretz, Executive Vice President of the Institute, which is the headquarters for an international network of Samaritan Centers.  “The accreditation process indicates that Centers offer professional services within a framework of quality organizational, administrative, and financial practices,” Bretz said.

The Samaritan Family Counseling Center was established in 1980 by an independent board representing a cross-section of the community and is supported by the Peru Community Church with assistance from the Presbyterian Women of the First Presbyterian Church of Plattsburgh and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Monica 2598 of St. Augustine’s Church of Peru. Other key community supporters of the Center include the Adirondack Community Trust and the Memorial Chapel of All Souls. The Center provides a wide range of outpatient counseling services, including counseling for individuals, couples, and families; educational programs; and consultation for professionals and organizations.

The Samaritan Ministry advocates the concept of interfaith, team-oriented, and cost-efficient counseling, emphasizing the inter-relatedness of mind, body, spirit, and community. The Executive Director is Dr. Donald Haight. The Center therapist is Ms. Alison Rosenbaum, a licensed mental health counselor and a graduate of the CACREP accredited Mental Health Counseling Program at Plattsburgh State College. The office manager is Ms. Judith Stafford. The Board of Directors includes The Rev. Dr. Robert Svenson, Chairperson, Ms. Anne Hurd, Vice-Chairperson, Mr. Clay Reaser, Secretary-Treasurer, Ms. Diana Aguglia, Ms. Jennifer Booth, Mr. Paul Connelly, Rev. Jenifer Deming, Ms. Faith Osborne Long, Mr. Kristofer Michaud, and Ms. Donna Scott. To assure accessibility to community residents, counseling services are offered in offices housed in the Peru Community Church where privacy is assured and sufficient parking is abundant.

The chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Rev. Dr. Robert Svenson, noted that “…at some time in everyone’s life, we face difficult issues and need help to address them. We’re here to provide that assistance.”  The Center’s hours are flexible in order to serve the needs of individuals and families.  For more information, call 518-643-6894.

The Center, in cooperation with the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center, and sponsored by a seed money grant from the United Way of the Adirondack Region, will soon start a support group for people with chronic disorders. The meetings will be held at the Blessed John XXIII Newman Center, 90 Broad Street in Plattsburgh, on the second Tuesday of the month from 4:30-6:00 PM. The first meeting will be held on April 10. Please call 643-6894 to reserve a space. There is no charge.