FCR receives the
Heidi Levenback Award
as the
Outstanding Supervised Visitation Provider of the Year 2022
In May FCR was honored with the Heidi Levenback Award for Outstanding Supervised Visitation Provider of the year. FCR was selected from a group of international service providers for their outstanding efforts to keep their programs up and running during the pandemic. Pat Kelleher, seen below with SVN President Howard Yaffe, has led this Program with passion and energy for 30+ years. She gave an emotional speech thanking program directors Sue Siegel and Catherine Stowe and their dedicated staff for being so supportive.
Since 1991, Family and Community Resources has provided a continuum of visitation services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence, stalking and child abuse including on site visits, group supervision, monitored exchanges and monitored phone calls expanding from one location to four sites throughout southeastern Massachusetts.
FCR provides a safe place where children can maintain, or in some cases, re-establish a relationship with a non-custodial parent. At the same time, the custodial parent or caregiver can feel reassured that both they and their children remain safe and protected.
FCR offers two Visitation programs:
- Family Based Stabilization & Support Visitation Services (FBS)- Facilitates visits between children in the custody of the Department of Children and Families and their biological parents.
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Court Ordered Visitation Services - Facilitates visits for families who have either a court order for visitation or come to the center on their own.
Learn More
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There is hope for the future as Washington has finally moved to address gun laws in America | |
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In the wake of the tragedies in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas the laws around gun ownership are finally poised for change!
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (The Act), signed by President Biden on Saturday June 25th, will expand background checks for prospective gun buyers between the ages of 18 and 21, incentivize states to create red-flag laws, and give states more funding for school safety and mental health resources, and takes a major step towards closing the 'boyfriend loophole" at the federal level.
An average of 70 women are killed by an intimate partner – a current or ex spouse, boyfriend, someone you went on a date with once - with a firearm every month, according to an analysis of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data by Everytown for Gun Safety.
The Act takes the much needed step forward in closing the "boyfriend loophole" in the law that prevents people convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun at the federal level. That law only applied to people who are married to, living with or have a child with the victim.
Democratic lawmakers have long sought to expand the law to extend that coverage to dating partners, convicted stalkers and any individual under a protective order. Closing the loophole means that anyone who was deemed to have been in a serious dating relationship and convicted of domestic violence would no longer be eligible to own a gun. It adds and defines the term dating relationship as "a relationship between individuals who have or have recently had a continuing serious relationship of a romantic or intimate nature," with considerations for the length and nature of the relationship as well as the frequency and type of interactions between the individuals involved. (npr.org)
There is still work to be done, but this is welcomed news and a life saving step forward in protection from domestic violence related gun crimes.
Support the work of FCR
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FCR Joins Mom's Demand Action For Gun Sense
Wear Orange Day June 3 2022!
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On Friday June 3rd FCR's DV Advocacy team joined Mom's Demand Action for Gun Sense at City Hall in Brockton, MA for the 7th Annual 'Wear Orange' for gun violence prevention in America. | |
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Thank you to Sage Dreams and The Moms Club of Easton MA for their generous donations of toiletries for Janice's closet!
When someone makes the last minute, sometimes life saving, decision to leave a dangerous situation, they leave with just what they can grab and the clothes they are wearing. Janice's Closet helps to provide clothing and basic necessities for the brave individuals and families who come to FCR for assistance.
If you would like to make a donation click here to learn how you can help!
Thank you!
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On June 22, FCR Board members and staff celebrated our amazing volunteers and interns at Tutto Bene in Brockton. It was a great night to catch up and to thank everyone for their dedication to our mission!
"The very useful "Making a Difference It's What I Do" insulated bag is much appreciated. The goodies in it were very thoughtful, and reminders of all the good things FCR does every day!! I'm so proud to know so many of your dedicated staff and volunteers. You all really do "make a difference" in the lives of so many in our community," said longtime volunteer - and our photographer for the night - Janet Trask.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer or intern, click the link below!
Volunteer
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Thank you to our
Corporate Volunteers!
Serve With Liberty Day
5-13-2022 at FCR!
Friday the 13th was a great day at FCR thanks to the team from Liberty Mutual’s Insurance Serve With Liberty Volunteers who helped make our main office at 18 Newton Street shine inside and out!
Thanks to Amy Gross, Steve Morris, Brian Deltufo, John Whalen Nicklena Smith, Neal Zonfrelli, Marty Feeney,
Eli Siberzweig and Blair Mongado for braving the hot day! Thanks to Steve Morris for donating the painting supplies!
Check it out!
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OCES/Brockton Council on Aging's 2022
March Against Elder Abuse
for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 6-15-22
A team from FCR joined Plymouth County DA Timothy Cruz and State Rep Allyson Sullivan for this years' march to raise Awareness for this most vulnerable population.
Did you know that elder abuse is considered a “silent problem”?
Nationally, five million older adults are abused every year, and at least $36.5 billion is lost annually by victims of financial abuse according to the National Council on Aging. In Massachusetts, there were 35,202 elder abuse reports made in 2021.
Learn more
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Congratulations to FCR Board Member Phyllis Ellis! | |
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For being the 24th Annual ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient! Phyllis Ellis, President of the Brockton Area Branch NAACP. The NAACP is the oldest, largest, strongest and most effective civil rights organization in America. In addtion to all she does for the NAACP and FCR, and her day job at KL Gates in Boston, she is the chair of the Mayor’s Community Justice Task Force and is a Commissioner for the Plymouth County Commission on the Status of Women; she serves on the Board of Trustees at the Brockton Main Library. She does not believe in sitting on the sidelines.
The award is presented by The Metro South Chamber of Commerce to a community leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in reaching their full leadership potential. Phyllis meets all of those milestones and more!
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Spring Gala
Thank you to everyone who helped to make our
"Celebration of Resilience" a success!
It was an inspiring night filled with hope and joy.
To learn more and see photos from the night, click here!
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July is
Make A Difference to Children Month
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The month raises awareness about the vulnerability any child in the world can face if they do not have the right person in their lives to guide them. This year's theme is “Listen Up, Children’s Voices Matter"
At least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the United States. (cdc.gov)
When a child has experienced, witnessed or even heard about violence, trauma or loss, giving them space to share their experiences, their feelings or addressing their concerns is critical to healing and understanding.
Each year we serve over 500 children through our Visitation, Child Exposed to Violence, Mental Health and Housing programs here at FCR.
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HOW Can you MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO CHILDREN this MONTH? | |
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- Talk to a child and really listen.
- One of the best ways to help make a difference in a child’s life is to get to know them better by understanding their needs. In many cases, all a child requires is the attention and time of someone as it makes them feel heard and cared for. So, talk to the children in your life, and spend time with them.
- Vow to protect children.
- If you see abuse or neglect happening to a child around you, you can help them by stepping in or informing the authorities. But always make sure that you are aware of the situation between parents and their child before you take any action. Context is important.
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Donate to an organization that supports the health and well being of children, like FCR. Spread the word about them by talking to your friends and family, and encouraging them to donate, too.
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Virtual DV Advocacy Training | |
Walk for Survivor Safety October 2022 | |
October 1, 2022 at DW Field Park! | |
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Please join us for our annual Walk for Suvivor Safety! Our walk in 2021 was the start of what has been a successful year for FCR!
This years' theme is Wellness! If you would like to join our event team or learn more about how you can support the walk this year, email Linda at linda.siegel@fcr-ma.org
Thank you!
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FCR is now accepting CRYPTOCURRENCY donations!
We have joined every.org - a nonprofit for nonprofits. To learn more about it or to make a donation to support our mission, click the button below! Thank you!
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