A Successful Second Year of Partnership with Family Nurturing Center

By: Cindy Liang

JLC and Family Nurturing Center (FNC)’s second year of partnership continued to thrive with another amazing year. Family Nurturing Center’s mission is to end the cycle of child abuse by promoting individual well-being and healthy family relationships. JLC showed our support for FNC during April for Child Abuse Prevention Month. On March 24, JLC members attended the Tom Gill Blue Ribbon Ceremony to kick off the month of advocacy and support. JLC also supported FNC’s annual Prom for a Purpose fundraiser on April 28 at Hotel Covington providing numerous volunteers and attendees. A thriving partnership between JLC and FNC signifies a strong commitment to making a positive impact in the community. The continued success of the partnership highlights the dedication and collaboration between the two organizations. Building on the achievements of the past two years, the JLC and FNC can look forward to further enhancing the collaboration and making meaningful differences. Bridget Fantaci and Gina Ryan, Chair and Co-Chair of JLC’s Program Acceleration Committee said that the committee wanted to focus on how we can best support FNC in our final year of the partnership. Some opportunities include:

• Direct service opportunities: JLC is interested in engaging in direct service opportunities for League members, aiming for one opportunity in the fall and one in the spring. These opportunities would allow JLC members to have hands-on involvement in supporting FNC’s participants and their families, as well as supporting FNC staff. This year, JLC decorated the adult and children’s lobby with activity books, words of encouragement, and a chalkboard wall. JLC members also painted pumpkins and collected seasonal decor including corn stalks and straw from Gorman Farm and donated to their fall festival. The Program Acceleration committee would like to continue supporting such events and activities.

• Training for JLC members: JLC recognizes the value of training and development for their members as a key point of our mission. Many League members have already attended FNC Foundations training offered over the past two years. For the upcoming year, in partnership with FNC, we hope to provide training on specific skill sets that can be applied in members’ interactions with participants and their families, including de-escalation and other action-oriented skills, which will be beneficial in both JLC members’ roles with FNC and their personal lives.

• Support for FNC’s advocacy efforts: JLC expresses their desire to continue supporting FNC’s advocacy efforts around child abuse awareness and prevention. JLC aims to contribute to these initiatives in Year 3 and potentially expand our involvement in raising awareness and promoting prevention in the community.

We have enjoyed a successful partnership over the last two years with FNC and look forward to further supporting Family Nurturing Center in the next year through direct service, training, and advocacy.