Family Focus Fights to Save Program by Dec. 31

By Amber Lester Monday, November 16, 2009

Family Focus may have lost its funding, but its administrators are still fighting to save the preventative parenting program that has helped thousands of families on the Peninsula.

In September, Family Focus became a casualty of the Colonial Community Services Board’s effort to cut $430,000 from its budget. The organization was set to close on Oct. 1, but the CSB agreed to fund the nonprofit until Dec. 31. While that move bought Family Focus some time, it almost guarantees a CSB position will have to be eliminated later in the year. At the time of the decision, CSB Executive Director David Coe said, “We all believe in prevention. Nobody funds it.”

But Family Focus employees are hoping to prove that isn’t true. Program Manager Sheree Press has launched a letter-writing campaign to seek donations in order to continue funding the nonprofit program. Staff and volunteers are actively seeking donations, grants, philanthropy and financial partners to raise $175,000 for fiscal year 2010 by Dec. 31. “All decisions regarding the future of Family Focus must be made prior to that date,” Press said.

Family Focus hopes to become self-sustaining, but find a new umbrella agency, Press said. “We have had and will have more dialogue with community agencies and foundations who are interested in our program,” Press said. “We are not requesting financial support, but to be a self-sustaining program within their fiscal and human resources structure.”

The group hopes to become part of an existing 501(c)3, which is a nonprofit exempt from some federal income taxes. A 501(c)3 is any group defined as “religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, to foster national or international amateur sports competition or prevention of cruelty to children or animals organizations.”

When the group aligns itself with an umbrella organization, it will have to reapply for any grants it previously received while part of the CSB, according to Rene Cabral-Daniels, vice president of grant programs for the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation (WCHF), which has previously awarded grants to Family Focus. She could not comment on whether the WCHF would continue to support Family Focus.

Child Development Resources has not made any final funding decisions regarding Family Focus, either. CDR subcontracts a portion of its federally funded Investing in Fatherhood program to Family Focus. That includes one father-child playgroup each month. “We are certainly open to continuing to contract with them after they are no longer under the CSB umbrella,” said Paul Scott, executive director for CDR.

To aid its fundraising efforts, Family Focus will host its annual fall festival on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Grafton. Family Focus is seeking donations of goods and services for a raffle; $1 raffle tickets are available now. On Dec. 22, movie buffs can help Family Focus and the Grove Christian Outreach Center by offering donations at the door of the Kimball Theatre’s free showings of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The movie will be shown at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22; the event is free, but tickets are required.

Local businesses can also help the organization by placing donation jars for the “Help Family Focus/Coins for Kids” campaign. Upcoming fundraisers also include Belk Charity Days on Nov. 7 and an annual children’s concert featuring children’s singer/songwriter Betsy Q. in early 2010 at the Kimball Theatre.

Both Family Focus programs, in Williamsburg and Grafton, will remain in their current locations. Family Focus Williamsburg will not be asked to pay rent for its location in the York River Baptist Church in Toano until June 2010. Family Focus Grafton is negotiating its contract with St. Mark Lutheran Church in Yorktown. The organization will be in need of office equipment after Dec. 31, and Press welcomes resources and ideas for support.

Since 1983, Family Focus has provided services meant to strengthen families and promote the well-being of children. In Williamsburg and Grafton, more than 13 groups are offered weekly for parents and caregivers of infants, toddlers and before preschoolers; according to Press, at least 300 families annually benefit from Family Focus. The organization also brings its programs to parents’ homes and jail.

“Some parents come and stay for a long time, and take advantage of many services because they need a lot. Some come briefly because they need something immediate and brief. Many come for fun and socialization for their children, only to learn of the many benefits at their disposal,” Press said. “They learn that if they have difficulties in life, or wonder if their child’s behavior is typical, or if their development is on track, they can turn to Family Focus for assistance in accessing the resources they need to deal with whatever comes along.”

To make a donation or learn more about Family Focus, call (757) 566-9777 or (757) 898-2945 or visit the Family">http://www.familyfocusva.org">Family Focus Web site.