A Family Resource Center is coming to southwest Leon County. The aim of the center is to connect residents with the help and resources they need.
Leon County Commissioner Christian Caban is a major champion of the center. He says in the 32310 zip code, 27 percent of the children live below the poverty line. Forty percent are single-parent families. The list goes on.
But Caban says the Family Resource Center -- to be located in the Scout House at the Fort Braden Community Center -- will be a game-changer.
“We hear a lot about the nonprofits in our community, and they do great work and we’re thankful to have them," he said. "But what I love about the Family Resource Center -- it’s services coming to you. It’s accessible, it’s in your community, it’s in your neighborhood. The Fort Braden Community Center is a staple in the Fort Braden community. It’s the most-used community center of all the community centers.”
Caban says the center will help direct families to resources for health, education and financial issues.
“...create family support programs, develop comprehensive child care services and family counseling programs especially for those single-parent households," he said. "It’s going to help with the economic empowerment by introducing job training and financial literacy programs and career development resources to address unemployment and underemployment.”
For instance, there will be a navigator to steer someone with a mental health issue…
“...that specific need with a health care provider. And when you look at navigating our nonprofits and our services available, this is going to be what I believe a one-stop shop for folks that really need it. They can go to the Family Resource Center, and from there they can help navigate them to the correct resource that they need.”
The funding for the center is coming from the Children’s Services Council, which gets its money from a voter-approved special taxing district. The council has also approved expansion of the Family Resource Center located at Cross Creek. Depending on the outcomes, the council could consider a third location later this year.
