Your support ensures Family ACCESS can deliver high-quality education, promote literacy, and offer vital parenting support to nearly 8,000 individuals every year!

Meet Magda Desouza, a dedicated professional at the heart of Family ACCESS’ 115-year success.

If you find yourself in need of support, having someone you can turn to, confide in, and guide you through tough times is invaluable. This is where the remarkable staff at Family ACCESS excels, providing more than just assistance; they offer a supportive community filled with empathy and guidance while unlocking new opportunities for families along the way.

Magda Desouza encompasses everything Family ACCESS stands for, unlocking opportunities for individuals and families to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances

Magda joined Family ACCESS five years ago as a bilingual Counselor in Counseling and Consultation Services, one of the three integrated programs at Family ACCESS. Magda's journey began in Brazil, and now she is sharing her passion and expertise with Family ACCESS.

At Family ACCESS, Magda’s dedication shines through our Young Parent Support program, where she passionately empowers pregnant teens and young parents to better care for their growing families. In this role, Magda works with community partners to identify and connect with young families, and, most importantly, listens to families to truly understand their unique needs.

I work with 11 young moms right now. I go to their houses. We talk about everything: how they're doing in life and their relationships. Then we talk about how to get connected to services in the community, if they need translation, or if they need support when talking to a doctor. I make sure they feel that they are getting the support they need for themselves or their kids to meet their goals.

Karen Seniuk, the Director of Counseling & Consultation Services at Family ACCESS, shared about Magda's remarkable contributions:

In the five years since she’s been at Family Access, Magda has grown into a thoughtful and reflective counselor, who brings deep empathy and passion to her work with young parents. She has learned how to “meet her clients where they are at”, a critical social work skill, that has enabled her to both connect with and empower young women, primarily from marginalized groups that have experienced trauma.

Building trust with each family is a core part of Magda's work, laying the foundation for a personalized and empathetic approach to addressing their individual situations. Her ability to provide emotional support while connecting young moms with essential resources leaves a deep impact on the families she works with.

When parents come into the program, I may meet with them two or three times a week. I meet with all families at least twice a month. I am another person to think with them, and we come up with ideas to find what they need.

A parent that Magda has been working with shared this:

When I needed it most, you were there to help and support me. The meetings bring us peace and knowledge and teach us how to deal with situations that sometimes, we don't know how to deal with!

Magda embodies our dedication to inclusivity, diversity, and empowering families in our community. This year she decided to translate the entire Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors program, a culturally relevant parenting program, into Portuguese (Abrindo Portas) so she can offer the program to Portuguese parents in Framingham. Thanks to Magda's tireless efforts, Family ACCESS became the first organization in the United States to offer this program to Portuguese speakers.

It’s nice to have a place for families to come together and see that other people have the same struggles or they are also celebrating their kids or their lives. I really like that sense of community.

Magda is on the brink of completing her education in holistic psychology, a testament to her commitment to personal growth and her desire to improve the lives of the families she serves. Her ultimate goal is to obtain a master's degree in social work to make an even greater impact on our community.

I will eventually get my Master's become a social worker. I want to get more knowledge, get more educated, and keep working with my families.

Magda's story is more than personal growth; it is a reminder that belief, passion, and dedication can lead to real transformation. I'm proud to be part of an organization that provides children's education and literacy.

Education is essential to me, and I have seen firsthand how our teachers support and foster an inclusive culture that empowers and respects children. I also love our literacy program and the invaluable service it provides to families, especially immigrants. Not everyone is privileged to work for an organization that supports families in many ways.

Since 1907 Family ACCESS has served thousands of families, regardless of their economic status, from Newton and twelve neighboring towns, and Magda embodies the work at Family ACCESS and the families we support.

We need your help to be the key to unlocking opportunities and supporting stronger and more resilient families. Can we count on you today?

Family ACCESS: Unlocking Opportunities Since 1907

Will you be the KEY to a Brighter Future?