Middle Georgia ‘cannot afford to lose’ this nonprofit. United Way is stepping in to help.

Although the relationship between United Way of Central Georgia and the Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia has been financial for the past 60 years, United Way announced Monday that it will be taking a more direct approach to ensure the center continues to serve Middle Georgians.

The partnership developed after Frank Mack, executive director of the center, said he planned to retire at the end of 2019.

The center was facing challenges to secure funding to provide professional services, including no cost or low cost counseling from licensed therapists, to more than 5,000 people a year, Mack said.

“We’re excited that they agreed to support this agency because there’s a lot of work to be done,” Mack said. “I don’t think people realize how all nonprofits are challenged in a lot of different ways. The needs for nonprofit services is increasing, and so that puts the burden on the nonprofit to be able to serve the people they’re prescribed to serve.”

Mack said the United Way is going to provide supplemental funding to the center until reimbursable grants – that have already been secured by the center – are paid.

George McCanless, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Georgia, said United Way plans to provide the Family Counseling Center with financial stability, help in the upcoming transition of leadership and will be a guide in its strategic planning.

“There’s a reason that Family Counseling is one of the largest recipient of United Way funds,” said Georgia McCanless. “We feel that this is an agency that really the community cannot afford to lose.”

After Mack retires, Patty Gibs, director of development at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Georgia, will take over in his place.

“I look forward to leading the Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia and continuing to fulfill the mission to strengthen and preserve the well being of individuals and families through access to the professional services that we provide,” Gibs said during the press conference.