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Contact Information
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Agency Description
Mission Statement
As concerned citizens we come together to promote positive interaction between youth,
families and the community. To work together to encourage alternative actions and
responsible involvement in our communities.
Concept: "It takes a
family to raise a child, but it takes a community to raise a family."
Parents are the first and most influential teachers of the young child. Primary prevention
enhances life chances children need to grow up mentally and physically healthy to be able
to provide for their own children. Parents can provide a solid foundation for school
success and later life. Regardless of education or income level, most parents find issues
like discipline, sleep patterns, and communicating with their children somewhat difficult
at times. We believe that the community must play an important role in supporting and
providing a quality environment for our children and families to thrive. Coming together
is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
History/Background
F.U.N. was established in 1994. The Resource Center was opened in 1995 with the help of a
Family Preservation Support grant. The Center provides children, families and citizens of
Southern Gage County access to health, education, economic and community service resources
to increase self-sufficiency. Board membership represents youth, school, churches,
businesses, city government, senior citizens and parents with varying socio-economic and
ethnic backgrounds. No one is turned away. Everything is kept confidential.
Goals
Goals and objectives evolve around the promotion of coordinated and collaborated services
between the local population, regional and state agencies.
Funding
Grants, donations, volunteers, Adopt-a-Month program and fundraisers finance operating and
program costs.
Staff
Julie Everson, Administrative Director
Alice Schultz, Staff Assistant
Renda Husa, Certified PAT Educator, Staff Assistant
Program-specific Volunteers
The Board fills all positions. Project coordination and administrative director duties are on a voluntary basis. Grant funding pays staff assistants, the PAT educator and mentors.
Affiliations
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Family Resource Center Coalition of Nebraska
Family Support America (formerly Family Resource Coalition of America)
SESAME (Southeast Service Area Membership Entity)
Wymore Chamber of Commerce
Special Recognition
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Nebraska Good Beginnings Community
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Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP): Community Service Award, 1st place for 1995 & 1997
Nebraska SPRING
Through Nebraska SPRING, the Family Unifying Network can access the Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC). The PIRC includes the Family Resource Line and access to the Early Childhood Training Center Media Center. The Media Center's numerous and varied materials are available on a free-loan basis. Additional information on these resources is available at Programs and Services.
In addition to the above support, FUN operates one of nine Parents As Teachers (PAT) projects funded in part by Nebraska SPRING through the Department of Education Parent Information and Resource Center program.
PAT is an internationally recognized early childhood parent education and family support program. It is a voluntary program for parents with children from birth though age 5. PAT promotes parent involvement in learning from the very beginning of a child’s life and fosters optimal development of the young child. This free program covers child development; suggests activities that encourage language development, intellectual growth, and social and motor skills; and strengthens the parent-child relationship.
A number of independent studies show that children who participate in PAT are significantly advanced over their peers and that these early gains continue after the children enter elementary school.
For more information on PAT, contact Renda Husa (402) 645-8252.
On-Site Partners
The Family Unifying Network is not currently co-located with other agencies.
Programs & Services
ALL STARS
ALL STARS is a substance and violence prevention program for youth between
the ages of 7 and 14. The Governor's Drug Free Community and School grant
and Rural Region V Mini-grants have funded the Wymore program. Community
volunteers teach 6th graders the full program, which consists
of 16 sessions. A Booster Program of 7 sessions is given to 7th
graders. We have used this program since 1997. It is a great collaboration
between community and school. For additional information, visit ALL
STARS on the Nebraska Council to Prevent Alcohol
and Drug Abuse web site.
Parents Caring for
Parents/Parents As Teachers
Parents Caring for Parents and Parents As Teachers collaborate to provide early childhood
training and information to parents. The vision of Parents As Teachers (PAT) is that ALL
parents will be their children's BEST first teachers. This vision is duplicated in FUN's
philosophy, programs and projects. For more information on PAT, see Parents As Teachers.
Parents Caring for Parents is open to all on a voluntary basis, free of charge. We ask that you support us in our efforts to provide more opportunities to children and their families by referring parents to our program. We focus on children birth to five. We use Nebraska Good Beginnings materials, as well as materials that cover teen parenting and special education needs. Siblings, if they are in the home and fall outside the target age group, will be invited to join in or will be provided with an activity to do during the home visit.
The following services are coordinated by Parents Caring for Parents/Parents As Teachers:
Welcome Baby Basket Program
This program provides person to person communication for new parents. Its goal is to provide parents with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of child development. The basket contains a resource packet, which includes information on agencies located throughout the area that address needs the parents and infant may have. It also includes printed materials, presents for the baby, developmental toys and any surprises the volunteers may wish to include, such as a few pieces of clothing and hygiene products. This is run completely by volunteers.
Home Visitations
Home visitations provide parents with information on child development through communications, printed materials and videos. Parents and children engage in age appropriate activities. Parents are prepared for their child’s next stage of development.
Group Gatherings
Group gatherings provide parents with a forum to share their own personal experiences with each other. Workshops are provided on a variety of topics of mutual interest. Play groups for parents and children are also included in this category.
Pre-School Activity Hour
An activity hour is provided every other Thursday from 10:00 -11:00 a.m. at the Center. The target age group is 3 through 6. The hour is spent on building development and social skills, creativity, working with computers, reading and language.
Funding for the Parents Caring for Parents and Parents as Teachers programs comes from a variety of sources, such as the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Nebraska Child Abuse Prevention Fund, Nebraska SPRING grant, mini-grants, Governor's Drug Free Community and School grant, fund-raisers and donations.
Other Programs and Services
Citizen’s Housing Corporation
Clothing Drop Off
Collaboration with Christmas Wishlist Program of Gage County
Community Education and Awareness on issues that face our citizens
Community Improvement Group Host
Computer Work Center for public use, includes Internet access
Crime and Drug Prevention Activities
Heartland SHARE (Self-Help and Resource Exchange) Host Site
— a volunteer and food program
Local Food Pantry
Mentor Program in collaboration with Wymore Public Library
and Southern Junior/Senior High School
National Night Out — crime and violence prevention
Neighborhood Watch Host
Resource Directory of local, regional and state agencies, web sites and resource information; books are provided throughout the community making them an easy accessible resource tool
Resource Library covering a variety of topics and ages
Senior Citizen Activities
Southern Gage County Small Business Network Host
— a Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP)
Youth Activities — promotion of drug free choices
Affiliate Partners
To accomplish its mission, FUN coordinates with other private and public agencies. Primary partners include:
American Clothing
Beatrice Family Resource Center
Ministerial Association
Wymore Public Library
Wymore Public Schools