Greenwich Resident Honored at Family Centers' Annual Meeting

Photo 1: Laurie Host of Greenwich, left, is congratulated by Family Centers Board Member Jan Dilenschneider for winning Family Centers’ Helen Gratz Rockefeller Outstanding Volunteerism Award. Photo 2: Bob Neiman, left, receives the 2015 Family Champion Award from Family Centers’ President Bob Arnold.

Family Centers honored board member Laurie Host and volunteer Bob Neiman for their service to the agency and dedication to improving the lives of Fairfield County’s families and children at its recent 124th Annual Meeting.

Host, of Greenwich, joined the Family Centers’ Board of Directors in 2006 and quickly became immersed in the agency’s fundraising and program development efforts. She chaired Family Centers’ annual fundraising appeal in 2007 and served on the agency’s Special Events Committee. Host also co-chaired two successful benefits, and provided insight on numerous program-related advisory committees.

From 2011-2014, Host chaired Family Centers’ Board of Directors and was one of only three chairmen in the agency’s history to serve four consecutive terms. Under her leadership, Family Centers’ merged with Literacy Volunteers, constructed and opened a new School Based Health Center at Cloonan Middle School in Stamford and added a new School Readiness Classroom at Armstrong Court in Greenwich. Host was also instrumental in stabilizing Family Centers’ financial health as the country recovered from the lingering effects of the recession.

Family Centers presented Host with the 2015 Helen Gratz Rockefeller Outstanding Volunteerism Award. The award is presented annually to a member of the Family Centers Board of Directors, and is the agency’s highest honor for volunteer work.

“Laurie’s passion for improving the lives of Fairfield County’s neediest children and families also helped drive the growth and expansion of many of Family Centers’ programs,” said Family Centers Board Member and Past Chairman Jan Dilenschneider. “Laurie’s leadership has left Family Centers in a better position to meet the challenge and demands that lie ahead.”

Bob Neiman of Stamford, was also named the 2015 Family Champion. As the principal lead of the Harvard Business School – Community Partners (HBS-CP), Neiman and his team have invested countless hours on projects related to program development and strategic planning to position Family Centers for future success.

Most recently, Neiman and his HBS-CP colleagues have worked with directors and managers to determine the Return on Investment and economic value for each of the agency’s programs – an initiative that has placed Family Centers at the forefront of demonstrating the value generated on each dollar donated to this organization.

“Bob’s contributions have been unique and profoundly impactful,” said Family Centers’ President Bob Arnold. “Family Centers is grateful for the superior consultation we have received from Bob and his colleagues over the past six years.”