CFAR was founded in 1994 under the name, Center for Growth and Development by Maryann C. Volk.  Maryann was a former teacher and principal with the Archdioceses of Philadelphia.  During her tenure she became acutely aware of a growing vacuum between struggling children in school and families struggling to survive in the community.  She witnessed families first hand facing serious issues, ones that required greater support than she was able to provide in the context in which she served them.  Maryann in her 50’s decided to go back to school to obtain a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.  Shortly after obtaining her degree, with the purchase of a corner row home on Magee in Northeast Philadelphia, CFAR opened its doors to its first client with one room and one therapist. This row home (and eventually this adjoining row home) was where CFAR would spend the next twenty years. 

As the need for family therapy increased, CFAR set out to find a larger space.  In July 2016, we moved into a commercial office space at 7901 Bustleton Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. With double the space of the row homes, CFAR grew rapidly, bringing on a diverse group of therapists and interns. Over time, we’ve expanded into two more suites at our Bustleton offices. CFAR, although much smaller than most agencies, had made a name for ourselves through our unique family systems perspective– focusing on the family as a whole has been the key to our success in seeing lasting change in Philadelphia families. 

While the outpatient program was thriving, CFAR began to seek out opportunities to serve populations that were struggling to access therapy services. Through grant funding from the state, CFAR launched Together Through Trauma in 2021 to offer therapy, workshops, trainings, and education to Philadelphia communities impacted by violence. Shortly after, CFAR started Children Deserving Services with funds from the county, to offer free therapy services to youth who are uninsurable and unable to access mental health services through Medicaid. Both programs are growing and thriving through partnerships and funders.

With all of this rapid growth, the team began to struggle with the administrative side. Fortunately, Pew Charitable Trusts identified CFAR as an excellent organization to invest in with a multi-year Growth Grant in 2023. The grant provided funds to strengthen the administrative infrastructure, develop a business plan with a consultant, improve data analytics, and expand the client base.

Thanks in part to the Pew funding, CFAR finally reached a milestone that had been in the works for years. We opened a second outpatient site in April 2025. CFAR partnered with Project HOME to open outpatient offices in their Helen Brown Community Center building in North Philadelphia. The response in the community was incredible and there has been a steady stream of referrals from Project HOME and other partners that are familiar with CFAR’s excellent reputation.

In 2026, CFAR is navigating some concerning changes to Medicaid and federal funding. Fortunately, the organization is in a fairly strong financial position, works hard to plan for anticipated hurdles ahead, and approaches projects thoughtfully.

Today, CFAR serves over 2,700 clients annually in our outpatient program, has trained over 150 therapists through our internship program, and helps hundreds in vulnerable communities through Children Deserving Services and Together Through Trauma. We are continuing to expand and innovate, and pursue our mission of building strength and resiliency in those we serve.