Marshall County Family Resource Network Marks 30 Years

MOUNDSVILLE -- The Marshall County Family Resource Network celebrated its 30th anniversary Wednesday with an open house at its office at 1501 Second St.

Lisa Zukoff, one of the FRN's founding board members, said the agency helps connect residents with agencies that provide resources including food, transportation, clothing, emergency housing, utility assistance, victim assistance, training and employment, legal services, after-school programs, prenatal and infant and child services, chemotherapy care, vision services, blessing boxes and more.

Zukoff said then-Gov. Gaston Caperton started a Bureau of Children and Families years ago, along with a related grant program that allowed for the creation of the FRN. At the time, she was director of the Benwood-McMechen Housing Authority and applied for grant funding with a colleague to start the program.

"As a community member I couldn't be more proud of the organization; how it's started and all the support it's had for 30 years to continue the programs," she said. "It's such a relief to know that there are family service centers within the FRN that can help children and families in need. We do that very well here. We never duplicate services; we work with other people in the community. So I think it's a wonderful investment from the state into West Virginia."

Zukoff brought her 6-year-old granddaughter, Jacklyn Loy, to the open house to learn more about the FRN.

"I'm just very thankful for all the community support we get in Marshall County, and I hope it continues at the state level because we have a lot of counties in West Virginia with a lot of great parents raising children," she said. "We have about 25 percent of grandparents in Marshall County raising their grandchildren - so we have a significant number and this is needed. It's a place for folks to go when they don't know where to turn, and we can guide them to where they need to be in the community."

The FRN also receives grants from other groups and foundations.

"It's not a duplication of services, which I think is critical because we're trying to be as fiscally responsible as we can to the community and the dollars that take care of funding us," Zukoff said. "It truly is a community effort."

One of the FRN's programs is the Carolyn Dalzell Closet of Hope, which provides personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies and books for children. It is named after Carolyn Dalzell, a board member who was helping establish the program when she lost her battle with cancer.

Another program is Parents As Teachers, an in-home parent education program. The FRN also is home to the Marshall County Family Resource Center, which sponsors free activities for families to enjoy together, including cooking classes, pool parties, roller skating, flower planting, paint and snack, playgroups and more.

Kimberli Green, executive director of the Marshall County Family Resource Center, said the FRN's website has several resource guides to help residents in need. For more information, call 304-845-3300.

"The FRN has been here for 30 years and we're shooting to be here for another 30, at least," she said. "We focus on helping individuals meet their needs and help them live better lives."

Green has worked at the FRN for 19 years and served as its director for the past three.

"I want to thank all of our partners and donors and partnerships we've had throughout the county," she said.