Pocahontas Family Resource Network Helps Low Income Families Get The Services They Need

Monterey, VA – Laura Young is the Executive director of the Pocahontas County Family Resource network and she says her job is fairly straight forward.

“My primary job is to stand between the Service Providers in the County and our low income families to make sure parents have what they need to nurture, educate and take care of their children” says Laura.

You could see those efforts at work during the recent holiday period.

“We just finished our Christmas season and we were able to serve 281 children in this county that low income families and we’re really proud of that” she says.

Laura says that they also had success in stocking up one on the counties food pantries.

“We were also able to stock up the food pantry” she says. “The Pocahontas Cooperative Parish Pantry received over 1,000 pounds of canned food and over $2,000 from our fund raisers.”

Coming up soon is one of the FRN’s most popular community events.

“The next that we’re going to be working on” she says “we’re going to try to have another community baby shower in March” says Laura “for anyone in the county who’s expecting or has a child under a year old.”

The community baby showers are not only a time to socialize with other new parents, but the FRN also provides lots of information and tips to help those new parents make the most of their time with their little bundles of joy. Prizes such as strollers, high chairs and car seats, donated to the FRN by various civic groups, are also given away at the baby showers. Laura says that they can always use diapers, but all types of baby supplies are needed. Donating to this cause is easy.

“You can always bring it by the FRN office which is located in the Board of Education Office in Marlinton”says Laura. “You can drop things off at any County Library, City National Bank or the Snowshoe Career Center.”

The Family Resource Network of Pocahontas County is here to help the parents of children in low income families get the type of support they need to take care of their children.