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Grand re-opening set for Turlock Family Resource Center
TFRC 2
Martha Gutierrez, Tamika Johnson, and Juliet Alvagi check out all the resources that Turlock Family Resource Center has for clients and their children. - photo by ALYSSON AREDAS / The Journal

For over seven years, Aspiranet’s Turlock Family Resource Center has been providing support and resources to children and families in the Turlock area. On Aug. 7, TFRC is hoping to achieve greater visibility throughout the community at a grand re-opening of its Geer Road facility.

“A lot of the people in the community did not know who we were,” said Pamela Huntley. “They did not know how to ask for help and did not know the resources available to them.”

Although the center is moving to a new location, TFRC will still provide the same services as before. Clients will be able to take advantage of a wide array of resources, especially those that assist low-income families, pregnant women, and families that are susceptible to child abuse or other forms of family violence.

These resources include: school readiness programs, prenatal education, developmental screenings for children, and an onsite computer lab for clients to familiarize themselves with a broad range of computer skills.

“We will walk side by side with our clients to help them meet their needs,” Huntley said, “whether it is food, clothing, or help with legal matters.”

Amongst other services, TRFC offers childcare services in order to make attending classes and support groups easier for their clients. Offered in both English and Spanish, all of TFRC’s resources are free to the community.

Huntley shared a story of a single mom who did not have a job or any job skills. She came to TFRC and after two years left with the resources to find a job, housing, food, and her independence again.

“There is no shame in need,” Huntley said. “We all have it at different points of our lives.”

The Turlock Chamber of Commerce will start the grand re-opening at 3 p.m. on Aug. 7 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the center’s new location. The event will include guest speakers, “Story Time” presented by the Stanislaus County Library, and individual stations that inform guests about all the programs that TFRC has to offer. Each station will also have a raffle for a boy and girl backpack, among other prizes.

The event is open to the entire community and will take place at TFRC’s new location at 2160 Geer Rd. For more information, call 668-6118 or visit aspiranet.org/turlockcenter.