Lawyers and social workers each go through extensive training, but few people get both a JD and an MSW. Meet Kerri Smith, a social worker who went on to get a law degree, hold high-ranking positions in New York City and national as well as regional nonprofits.

Smith as of April 13 began serving as the new president and CEO of the Huntington-based Family Service League, celebrating its centennial this year. She leads an organization with a staff of over 700, including 60 programs at 20 locations in Suffolk as far east as the East End and in Nassau.

They operate mental health clinics as well as mobile mental health services with teams going into communities, meeting with people facing mental health crises. They also run substance abuse treatment day and other programs such as art therapy for people recovering from addiction. And they operate programs for senior citizens, family resource centers as well as programs for children and homeless services.

“We have one cohesive culture,” Smith said. “We see the integration of how our services work together. One family could need different services at different times. We see a connection and a way to weave our services together.”

The Family Service League has expanded, offering more services and programs, serving more people, becoming a safety net for thousands of Long Islanders.

“It was founded in the 1920s as a small social service agency and it has grown as needs continue to grow,” she said. “We serve more than 60,000 people every year.”

Karen Boorshtein led the group for more than 30 years, including more than 15 as president CEO, with Smith coming on board just as the group ends its first century.

They are organizing events to honor the 100th anniversary, including a Walk for Wellness on Sept. 20 and a centennial gala celebration on No. 5 at the Heritage Club, in Farmingdale.

“It’s not only survived. It thrived,” Smith said. “It’s a credit to the leadership over the years, recognizing it can be a safety net for the community, bringing excellent care. It has grown and grown and grown and continues to grow.”

A native Texan, Smith’s mother is a New Yorker, born in the Bronx who then lived in Westchester, moving to Texas after marrying. Her father took a job with an airline in Houston and the family relocated.

Source: LI Press