_of_fsfrclogo.gif)
I was fresh out of the pen.trying to get help from sacramento to at least get started on my own I already spent my $200 gate money, i came up to the Fort Sage Family Resource Center to see my friend Doug he was out on sick call,so I explanned my story to the very kind people here They fixed me up with some food,they let me use ther phone to call other resources that said they would help, so with nothing but time 0n my hands I just hung out here,I soon found myself volunteering for something to do,then shortly afterthat I got a part time job because of them,with the help of the Fort Sage Family Resource Center I've enrolled in college,I'm still volunteering for them when I can.I have found the girl of my dreams here at the Fort Sage Family Resource Center and best of all... I will soon get to visit my two year old daughter here.Plus not only has it help me but i've seen many other people get the help they needed here it is a GODsend this Resource Center is truly a great help to the community.
This non-profit runs two Family Resource Centers in rural Northern California, which has a higher than average unemployment and poverty rate. The centers are in Westwood and Ft Sage, which is comprised of Doyle, Milford and Herlong. These centers have become the catalyst for positive change and activies in their communities. Both Resource Centers help clients navigate through the system if they are in need of public assistance. They give clients referrals to resources they may not be aware of, such as the Heating Energy Assistance Program and Weatherization Programs. Soon they will be authorized as "Payees" for clients who are having trouble taking care of their finances. This is important as the county seat is 25 to 45 miles away from these communities, and many of the clients have no transportation, or are too elderly to drive that distance. In addition to the distance, in the winter our county may have as much as 6 feet of snow on the ground at one time. The Resource Centers conduct free Community Dinners on a monthly/bi-monthly basis, Mystery Baby Showers for needy women, CPR/First Aid classes, and social clubs such as crochet, scrapbooking, senior crafting, preschool playgroups, coffe club socials, and free food baskets for those in need. They have resources such as toy lending and parenting books and classes. The Ft Sage Center has a thrift store with nice, quality items. They also have a seasonal Farmer's Market. The Westwood Center has a Natural Foods store which, in addition to making natural foods available at reasonable prices, is helping to educate the community on nutrition and childhood obesity. A Community Garden is in the works for the spring. They also have an annual Children's Fair that is very popular with the community. The Westwood Center also oversees the elementary school After-School Program in which 90+ % of the school is enrolled. The elementary school is kindergarten through 7th grade. This program runs from directly after school until 6 pm. They serve a healthy snack, have a daily homework and physical education time, then special clubs such as drama, chess, cooking, etc. The Center will be starting an After-School Program at Westwood High School next year. This should work well, as many of the students enrolled in the elementary school program that will be going to the high school next year are looking forward to continuing their positive experiences. The Resource Centers work with the motto : If We Don't Have What You Need, We Will Help You Find Where You Can Get It!
The Family resource center in Herlong, Ca is the most active resource center I have ever seen!!The director, Janice Gotcher, has brought new life to our small community with always new programs, attracts wonderful volunteers, and finds ways to fund these new programs. We have one of the nicest Thrift Stores I have ever been in - that attracts very nice donations to sell very reasonably to our community memebers. This thrift store helps pay for the resource center. Monthly dinners, coffee center,and more. The resource center is also involved in several committees to bring additional services and funds to our rural community.
When I moved to this area It was hard to believe how little there was to do here for the people of this community, actually we are three in one Doyle, Herlong and Milford we live in a rural area of North Eastern California. I have been volunteering since I moved here and the Organization has been steadly growing, they are very community minded, and help whereever help is needed, their persistance to make things better is to be commended. they are in dire need of funding to continue to do their good work.