The Frontier Community Action Agency (FCAA) would like to introduce you to the Family Stability Council, a group of concerned citizens that has been meeting since November of 2007. This group's focus is looking at building short- and long-term solutions to building sustainable and healthy communities one family at a time, by sharing resources and solutions with partner agencies. By being able to discuss and address the gaps in our local neighborhoods we are more readily able and prepared to assist our family members and neighbors.
Through the wonderful work of the Family Stability Council and those involved, the Winnemucca Food Bank served close to 300 children throughout this last school year sending back packs of food home for the weekend to those children qualifying in all three elementary schools for the program. This became the first goal of the Family Stability Council back in 2007 and it has continued to expand every since, making sure No Child is Hungry in Humboldt County. The Winnemucca Food Bank is also looking to expand the Back Pack Kids program starting in the fall.
FCAA continues to make sure No Child is Hungry during the summer months, by hosting the Summer Food Service Program. Lunches are served to all children 18 and younger, FREE of charge. FCAA along with the Winnemucca Food Bank, Uptown Market, Wade Distributing, USDA, and the Department of Education have teamed up to bring this program to Humboldt County, and it is the third year the Agency has had the pleasure of sponsoring it. The lunches are served in the Vesco City Park from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., through August 17th (Monday - Friday, Excluding Holidays).
The second goal of the Family Stability Council is a Place to Stay for Everyone. This has also been one of the biggest challenges, but again by working together with all agencies in Humboldt County we hope to have some more progress on the limit of housing we have in Winnemucca, whether you have been transferred in your job, you have moved out of your parents' home, or you have found yourself stranded and trying your best to get back on your feet by first obtaining employment and then finding a place to stay for you and your family.
The third goal the Family Stability Council continues to work on is Expanded Mental Health Services, through an established partnership between Communities in Schools of Northeastern Nevada, 6th Judicial Youth and Family Services, and the Humboldt General Hospital. This service, provided at NO COST, is Teen Counseling for those youth in need of guidance and help as they go through the difficult stages of life on their way to adulthood.
Communities in Schools (CIS) of Northeastern Nevada's mission is to surround students with a community of support, and to empower them to stay in school and achieve in life. CIS works to connect students and their families to critical community resources tailored to local needs. One of their initiatives is the provision of mental health counseling services to youth ages 12-18 years old, as well as, to Great Basin College students. Appointments are made through Communities in Schools by calling 775-738-1446.
The Family Stability Council has also been working together to bring the Solace Tree grief Support Group to Winnemucca. Solace Tree is a grief support program based out of Reno, Nevada that offers free peer support groups for children ages 2-18 and their parents or caregivers that have experienced the loss of a loved one. Locally the funds raised will help get this group started by providing supplies and materials necessary to train volunteers willing to facilitate the groups.
The Family Stability Council meetings are coordinated by the FCAA, and the group meets once a month. The next meeting will be August 24, 2012 at 8 a.m. at Sid's Restaurant, and will be held in conjunction with the Community Breakfast to accommodate participant's schedules. You can also go to www.winnfam.org to see updates and the progress of the Family Stability Council.
If you would like more information about the Family Stability Council, programs the FCAA offers, to volunteer, or have any questions regarding please contact us at (775) 623-9003. Or stop by our offices, located at 640 Melarkey Street, Suite 3, Winnemucca, NV. The more people know about the social issues affecting our community, the more likely they are to take action to help or know how to help their own children and families.
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