Family Resources recieves United Way grant

Patti Dockery stands outside the Family Resources homelike office with her children, Brooke (4) and Joseph (5).

Family Resources of Cherokee County has recieved a grant of $3,500 from the United Way of Cherokee and Clay counties, according to Lisa Twiggs, executive director. "The United Way funding is particularly important to us," says Twiggs, "because it serves as required local match money for our state grants."

"Not only do contributions to the United Way stay here in Cherokee and Clay counties to help people in our home communities, but when someone contributes to the United Way, it brings in additional money from outside of the county - sometimes as much as $90 in state or federal money for every $10 contributed," expains Karen Borchers, United Way executive director.

Family Resources is one of 20 "partner" agencies of the United Way. " Family Resources provides important services to young families, needy families, and f a m i l i e s experiencing crisis," said B o r c h e r . "It's services help assure that children are h e a l t h y , happy, and ready to learn at home and at school. And b e c a u s e

child abuse

can be caused by stresses on parents and by inadequate knowledge of parenting, services such as those Family Resources provides help also to prevent child abuse in our community."

Alicia Dockery, mother of Angelica (3) and Nathaniel (1 & 1/2), has been a client of Family Resources for a year. "They teach you how to understand and work with your kids," she said. "There are all kinds of activities for kids and parents, too. And sometimes they've given me diapers or helped with utlity bills or gas, when things are especially tights for us. But most of all, they're wonderful to talk to - they're always there and willing to listen and help."

Pattie Dockery, who also has two children, says that her son, Joseph, started kindergarten this year and she believes that he is more ready for school because of the parenting training she has recieved from Family Resources.

Dockery has been a client of Family Resources for several years. "They help you understand your children's development," she said. "They also teach you how to handle their behavior in a positive way."

A child's success when he enters school is largely determined by his experiences before age three, according to nationally-known child development experts Dr. T. Berry Brzelton and Dr. Burton White. "Parents are their children's first teachers," said Twiggs. Through Family Resources' Parents as Teachers program, home visits are made to young parents to help them learn what their children will be doing next and how to develope those skills - whether it's sitting up, walking, talking, coloring, or potty-training. Some sessions are also offered at Family Resources' pleasant home-like office, with teaching playgroups for children and their parents.

In addition to the Parents as Teachers program, Family Resources provides emergency and ongoing information to families about needed services, such as emergency food, child care, job training, employment, housing, health, nutrition, and medical care. It also offers parenting classes and parent workshops; educational books, videos, and games which can be checked out; information and support to families with disabled children; and family fun activities such as the annual Kids Fair.

Last year, Family Resources served 733 children and parents. " We are proud that it is one of the agencies that the United Way helps to support," Said Borchers.