Name: Dana Kaspereen-Guidicipietro
Hometown: Mountainside
Kids: Rocco, 8, Santino, 6 and Gianna, 5
Business: FAYLA, Inc.
New Jersey Family: Tell me about your business and what makes it unique?
Dana Kaspereen-Guidicipietro: FAYLA (Family, Adult & Youth Life Awareness) is a nonprofit organization that provides individuals and families with resources, information and eduction to help improve the quality of life for those in need of guidance and support in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, suicide prevention and bullying. It is our mission at FAYLA to help communities become mindful of the many issues that individuals and families face on a daily basis.
NJF: When did you launch the business, and what was your biggest inspiration to launch it?
DG: FAYLA was launched in June 2017. I was inspired to start FAYLA in order to reach more people to help. The only way to break the stigma of mental health is to provide resources and education.
NJF: How have you pivoted your business to adapt to this stressful and uncertain time?
DG: During this stressful and unprecedented time, FAYLA is available to any individual who is seeking information on mental health and substance abuse. We are also helping those in need of therapy to find a provider.
DG: During this stressful and unprecedented time, FAYLA is available to any individual who is seeking information on mental health and substance abuse. We are also helping those in need of therapy to find a provider.
NJF: If possible, how are you and your business giving back through this period?
DG: FAYLA offers support to anyone in need of resources during this difficult time. We offer education and therapeutic referral services.
DG: FAYLA offers support to anyone in need of resources during this difficult time. We offer education and therapeutic referral services.
NJF: What will be the first thing you do as a business when this is behind us?
DG: FAYLA was in the process of writing curriculum for grades K-12 to help break the stigma of mental health. The curriculum will also help prevent substance abuse at all age levels by providing age appropriate information and life coping skills. We were also creating assemblies for teachers, guidance department teams, child study teams, staff and students to provide awareness on various topics. We will pick up where we left off once this is behind us.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten that you want to share with others?
DG: Even if it seems hard and you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, just remember all the people you are helping and inspiring. Even if you reach one person—you made a difference!
DG: Even if it seems hard and you don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, just remember all the people you are helping and inspiring. Even if you reach one person—you made a difference!
