Grants for Parents Who Lose a Baby in the Chippewa Valley
Children take part in a play 'n learn group at the Family Resources Center in Eau Claire in these 2014 file photos.
For well-nigh 20 years, the Family Resource Center has provided resource and connections for parents and children in the Eau Claire area. From parent didactics classes to home visits by trained parent educators, from Play 'Northward Learn groups to a toy lending library, the Family Resource Center has helped strengthen countless families of all sizes, kinds, and income levels. If you lot laissez passer by the center in the Sears fly of Oakwood Mall, you're likely to meet young children and their parents taking reward of "drop in and play" hours where they can learn and both with each other and other families.
"A large part of our mission is connecting parents with what they need." – Dr. Jennifer Eddy, executive director, Family unit Resource Center
Rachel Hart-Brinson discovered the Family Resource Center in 2012 shortly after moving to Eau Claire with her husband and infant daughter. The center was a blessing to her immature family. "The playgroups were the place where I had adult interaction, and it was central," she recalls. "Once I started doing playgroups there, I didn't miss a session. … It was a skillful identify to observe other parents and their parenting styles, and also to get my adult conversation set." For six years, the Family Resource Center has played a big office in the lives of Rachel and her children, Emma and Eli.
The Hart-Brinsons' story isn't unique: Dr. Jennifer Eddy was first introduced to the Family Resources Center when her son, who's now 16, was about three. She has been on the arrangement's board of directors for nearly 12 years, and since April has served equally executive managing director. "A big part of our mission is connecting parents with what they need," Eddy explains.
Now, even so, it's the center itself that has a big need: A steep decline in funding this yr has posed a serious claiming for the organization. The biggest striking came earlier this year when the United Fashion of the Greater Chippewa Valley announced its grant recipients for the coming three years. The Family unit Resource Centre, which had received $98,000 annually from the United Way betwixt 2015 and 2018, was not amid them. This meant that, as of July 1, the Family Resource Center was losing about half of its budget.
The Family Resource Heart took quick action, laying off its executive manager and administrative manager and limiting hours for the remaining paid staff of ii (some other employee is on furlough for the summer). The agency is relying more on volunteers: For example, Eddy isn't taking a bacon every bit executive manager. Some programs and centre hours have been scaled dorsum, and the center is reaching out to other agencies that serve children and families to develop creative partnerships to keep to serve its clients. Information technology is also looking for new grants and gifts, and has received nigh $20,000 in donations since April.
"I'd similar to grow our way out of this," Eddy said of the agency's funding shortfall. While she wants the hundreds of families who utilise the center to exist aware of the budget crunch, Eddy as well wants them to know that the Family unit Resources Center volition continue to work hard to meet the needs of all families in Eau Claire and Dunn counties. All services – except for one online parenting class – will keep to be offered free of charge. This includes the Starting time Connections program, which brings a resources educator into local hospitals; "drop in and play" hours; the Nursing Nook, where nursing mothers and babies tin observe a quiet place; the toy lending library; Play 'Northward Larn groups in Altoona, Fairchild, Augusta, and Fall Creek; Parents as Teachers home visits by trained parent educators; and more.
Hart-Brinson, who likewise volunteers at the Family unit Resource Heart, said the agency is crucial because information technology gives parents support earlier problems arise. "Parenting is stressful and difficult," she said, "and if you don't have a good social support system, or if you're really young, or if y'all don't have all sorts of things – any sort of vulnerability – that tin can make it more than hard." She adds that she'due south hopeful that the agency will be able to secure boosted funding and then its programs can continue. "I think the people who take experienced the Family unit Resource Center know the benefit information technology gives to them and their families," she says. "Information technology is a definite benefit to the community, and I hope that's known."
The Family unit Resources Center will hold its seventh annual Where In Eau Claire Scavenger Chase on Thursday, Aug. 23, at The Metro, 201 E. Lake St., Eau Claire. The competitive fundraiser costs $150 per team if you annals by Aug. 15. To learn more, contact the Family Resource Middle • Oakwood Mall, 4800 Golf Road, Suite 61, Eau Claire • (715) 833-1735 • Or visit their website
Source: https://chippewavalleyfamily.org/news/2018/06/29/254227-family-resource-center-faces-financial-challenges?mobile_redirect=false
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