The Benevilla Family Resource Center (FRC) Program remains open and very active during the Coronavirus outbreak and is excited to announce their May 28th Community Baby Shower was a big success. As one expectant mother stated “Thank You for blessing us. My 22-month-old daughter loves the items she received, and baby will love his items too.”
The event took place from 9:00AM until 11:00AM in the Wickenburg Library front parking lot located at 164 E Apache St, Wickenburg, AZ, 85390. Because of the continuance of social distancing and sheltering at home, this fun activity was a “Pop-Up” event where expecting mothers and moms with babies up to 6 months old drove up curbside and picked-up parent and baby information and a free bags of diapers. All together 27 families drove through. There were 27 children and 13 expecting moms.
The FRC staff gave away diapers, baby brain boxes, infant activity kits, books for the older kids, bright green and red onesies, baby spoons, and other fun baby gifts. Those who followed the Family Resource Center and the event on Facebook are eligible for a “pop- up” prize drawing which will be held this week and announced via Facebook messenger.
“It was sad to see so many young families struggling right now due to the pandemic. It was our goal to provide expectant and young moms fun and stress-free access to information and services helping them prepare their children for success in school and in life,” said Aleena Erickson, the FRC Director.
The Family Resource Center (“FRC”) has been a Benevilla program since 2009 when Benevilla received a grant from First Things First, the state board, funded by the tobacco tax, that promotes early childhood development and health. FRC offers free, bilingual services and programs serving area families raising children 0 to 5 years old throughout the NW Maricopa County area at convenient community sites. Resource specialists link parents to community services, answer questions, and help complete applications for AHCCCS and DES. During the COVID-19 pandemic, FRC staff are taking referrals of vulnerable families from partner agencies and providing virtual visits and creating family plans with follow-ups. As part of the process they are doing AHCCCS, TANF and Nutrition applications over the phone.
FRC brings many more important services to our community. Family educators host interactive workshops coaching parents on helpful strategies and techniques focused on child development and family issues. Other parent-child interactive classes and events help raise parent awareness of the importance of early childhood experiences to healthy development through play, songs, and movement.
The Family Resource Center’s “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” Kinship Caregiver Program offers support and education to this special group of second-time parents.
Make sure to follow FRC on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BenevillaFamilyResourceCenter/ to learn more about upcoming pop up events and virtual activities. For more information about current Benevilla Family Resource Center activities or the available programs, contact Aleena Erickson at 623-207-6016.