Grant Helps Family Resource Center Expand Services

The Buncombe Schools Family Resource Center (FRC) will greatly expand its reach after receiving a $100,000 grant from Dogwood Health Trust.

By Tim Reaves
BCS Communications Department

The Buncombe Schools Family Resource Center (FRC) will greatly expand its reach after receiving a $100,000 grant from Dogwood Health Trust.

In addition to building an emergency assistance fund for local families, FRC will use this grant to purchase a cargo van to collect and transport donations, host family engagement nights, provide services to unaccompanied homeless youth – including college application fees, campus and job tours, help getting government documents – and much more.

“Think of the impact $100,000 can have on the Resource Center, the things we’ll be able to do, the people we’ll be able to help,” said FRC Director Shannon Boyd. “It’s helping us open doors and expand services and build a truly sustainable program.”

FRC serves as both a hub for families to access existing services and as an expansion of those services, she said. Located at Enka Middle School, the Resource Center provides a food bank, home goods, and a Hope Boutique so families have everything they need in one place. The Resource Center started in March 2020 in response to the COVID emergency and has provided thousands of meals and supplies to local families with the help of numerous volunteers and community partners.

Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina, with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellness. With a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity and access to care and health resources. Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit www.dht.org.

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