History

Lifelines/Family Counseling Center of Mobile, Inc., is a private, non-profit organization, formed in 1958 under the auspices of the United Way, to help strengthen families and individuals in the community.

Prior to that time, two separate agencies existed: Traveler's Aid and Child Family Services. However, as a result of recommendations of individuals involved in a community study, the new agency was formed. Its mission was to continue to provide services in three major areas: family and marital counseling, traveler's aid, and child placement.

In 1984, Traveler's Aid was placed under the Salvation Army. As times and community needs changed, specialized services for adults, the elderly homebound and their caregivers were added in 1989. That same year, Consumer Credit Counseling Service was established to provide counseling for families overwhelmed by debt and financial problems. Supervised visitation services for families became available then as well.

In late 2002, the Board of Directors voted to approve the addition of Helpline and Rape Crisis Center to the existing services and programs operated under the umbrella of the Family Counseling Center of Mobile, Inc. It added the name Lifelines to its corporate identity with a tag line (or slogan) "Help Begins Here". A stylized tree was adopted as the corporate logo. A comprehensive agency brochure and individual brochures were developed for use until such time as a comprehensive marketing plan was developed.

The agency is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families & Children, Inc., is approved by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide Comprehensive Housing Counseling, is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, Inc., and an affiliate of Contact USA, Alliance of Information and Referral Systems, United Way of Southwest Alabama, Inc., and South Baldwin County United Way, Inc.