Family Resource Center celebrates 20 years of serving families
Current and former board and staff gathered recently to mark a milestone: Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley’s anniversary of forming as a nonprofit organization serving families in St. Croix County in 1998. Board President Chad Fett welcomed attendees to the ‘reunion’ luncheon and thanked past board presidents and executive directors for their leadership and dedication. Sharon Reyzer, long-time public health nurse and founding board member, shared stories about the early days – of mismatched furniture hauled in a borrowed horse trailer, no staff, and a $25,000 grant. Reyzer facilitated the first young parent group as a volunteer.
Fast forward 20 years to a staff of 12 and a recent office expansion, the Family Resource Center provides programming in Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties, and is involved in statewide quality improvement initiatives for home visiting. The organization has received national recognition by Parents as Teachers for its innovative model of service delivery that includes strategic partnerships with health care organizations, social services, colleges and universities, and United Way St. Croix Valley.
All three executive directors were present for the event – Tami McManus, who was hired as the first Family Resource Center director; Patty Draxler, who led the staff from 2003-2017, and Agnes Ring, who has served as director since May 2017. Agnes praised the wisdom of the organization’s founders in implementing an evidence-based program from year one, which continues to impact families early in their child’s lives. “The kids who were first here are now in their twenties,” she said. “Teen parents are now in their thirties.”
Founding board member Mary Sue Ash first joined the board while still employed in Pupil Services at Baldwin-Woodville School District. After her retirement, she became actively involved in building the Success By 6 initiatives in partnership with United Way St. Croix Valley. “The early years are the most important years of our life, and what we experience then often stays with us,” said Mary Sue. “Parent interaction builds a child’s brain connections. Parents are a child’s first teacher and have the most influence over kids.” Mary Sue thanked those in attendance for helping to create an organization that is valued, visible and vibrant. “Each of you, in your own way, has made that possible.”