This week we celebrated the legacy and incredible community dedication of HR Officer Kathleen Vicario who became part of the FSA Family in September of 1995, and for over 25 years created a culture of diversity, acceptance, and care for all of FSA’s Team Members. We also celebrated the incredible 11 years of leadership of FSA CEO Judith Wood, as we recognized her strength and community building aptitude whose core centers around the whole child education and protective factors that took one Child Development Center in Rubidoux and turned it into 10 Child Development Centers that are renowned for their quality and excellence throughout Riverside County.

In an unprecedented year, these two leaders with the support of FSA’s Board, COO Shannon Gonzalez and CFO Alicia Chacon-Bidwell managed to ensure the safety of FSA Team Members, Participants, and Community Members who hadn’t heard of FSA until 2020 when FSA’s many programs provided much needed care and support. In uncertain times it was FSA’s leadership that provided stability to many families including our own.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude, appreciation and admiration for the great work that these two leaders have dedicated to the Inland Region. As Judith mentioned in her speech “What makes Family Service Association so great is that it truly is a family, and it’s that sense of greatness that keeps its talents onboard for so long.” Even in retirement Kathleen Vicario and Judith Wood remain forever part of Family Service Association’s legacy, and above all family.