What is a Family Resource Center?

In today’s world, the importance of community-based support systems for families cannot be overstated. Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are vital in providing essential programs and services that promote positive outcomes for vulnerable children and struggling families.

As followers of Christ, investing in FRCs with our time, resources, energy, and mercy is a powerful way to embody God’s love and compassion in our lives and our communities.

Amid life’s difficulties, the Hernandezes, a hardworking couple with nine children, faced unexpected challenges. Despite their best efforts to plan and save for the future, they struggled.

Through One More Child’s partnership with a local church in Houston, the Hernandez family experienced an outpouring of generosity that exceeded what they could ask or think when they asked for help furnishing their house with necessities. Their community rallied to provide a king-size bed, a desperately needed mattress, and essentials for the entire family. From bedding to diapers and cleaning supplies, their house transformed into a home.

“[Hagar] gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 (NIV) 

Their faith reaffirmed, the Hernandez family expressed their gratitude for the kindness of strangers. In their hardship, they were seen, proving that – even in the darkest of times – there is light.

Read Deanna’s story and thank you letter to One More Child now. 

Family Resource Centers are flexible, family-focused, and culturally sensitive facilities that aim to meet the needs of families in their communities. Referred to by many names, including family support centers, family centers, or parent-child resource centers, these places offer a wide range of programs tailored to address various family needs.

From implementing trauma-informed care to offering culturally competent practices, FRCs are dedicated to enhancing family well-being and preventing crises before they occur. They can focus on areas such as child abuse prevention, substance abuse issues, family violence, and employment assistance, among other support services. By providing resources such as diapers, food, and clothing, FRCs aim to address the diverse needs of families while fostering community engagement and support.

One of the key goals of FRCs is to promote family health through the five protective factors:

• Parental resilience
• Social connections
• Concrete support in times of need
• Knowledge of parenting and child development
• Social and emotional competence of children

By strengthening these protective factors, FRCs empower families to thrive and prevent their involvement with local child protection agencies.

RELATED: You can learn more about the impact of Family Resource Centers in this white paper.

By supporting Family Resource Centers, you can fulfill biblical mandates and make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children and struggling families. Furthermore, you can open doors for vulnerable children to learn about the love of Christ firsthand.

Isaiah 25:4 describes God as a stronghold to the poor and needy, providing shelter from life’s storms and relief from its hardships. As we extend kindness and support to the less fortunate, we fulfill God’s commandment to care for the vulnerable.

Proverbs 19:17 reminds us that when we are kind to the poor, we are lending to the Lord Himself, and He promises to reward us for our generosity.

In Luke 3:10-11, John the Baptist instructs the crowd to share their possessions with those in need, emphasizing the importance of sharing our resources with others. This call to action echoes throughout the Bible, urging us to be instruments of God’s love and provision in the world.

Finally, Scripture reminds us of God’s promise to provide for our needs abundantly. Philippians 4:19 reassures us, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Just as a loving earthly father provides good gifts to his children, our Heavenly Father graciously blesses those who seek Him (Matthew 7:9-11 NIV).

Family Resource Centers give One More Child advocates and volunteers unique opportunities to sow seeds of Christ’s love in communities nationwide. As doers of the Word, we can collectively extend a helping hand to vulnerable children and struggling families, confident that our actions will bring hope and light to their darkest moments.

Will you join us in serving children and families who desperately need support? The Body of Christ can produce an eternal harvest through generous giving and volunteering at Family Resource Centers. Make your best financial contribution to One More Child today.