Family and Community Resources, Inc.

September 2024

Patricia Kelleher Parker - Brockton Housing Authority 2024 Person of the Year

Please join the FCR team in congratulating our President & CEO Patricia Kelleher Parker on being named the 2024 Person of the Year by the Brockton Housing Authority (BHA). Patricia firmly believes that no one should be homeless as the result of domestic violence, and has spent decades working in close collaboration with the BHA to help survivors find support and heal from their traumas. Countless families have benefited from her tireless efforts, making her more than deserving of this recognition.

Congratulations Pat!

FCR is thrilled to once again bring you the Walk for Survivor Safety & Community Cultural Fair on October 19, 2024! This event is a favorite among our community members each year, raising awareness while also providing opportunities for family fun! Our Walk is at a new location this year - the Holiday Inn Express located at 405 Westgate Drive, Brockton, MA. This year, we welcome Beth Scherer of Jiten Hotel Management and Chris DiSangro of DiSangro Transportation as our Honorary Co-Chairs!

The numbers don't lie - domestic violence is on the rise.

The national rate of intimate partner homicides rose 22% over the last 5 years
In 2024, 32 people experience intimate partner violence per minute in the United States
The national costs of providing domestic violence services is estimated at over $12 billion annually, but government and private charitable funding covers less than 10% of these costs

Our Walk raises critically needed funds, and will also feature:

Visit the Walk Website and Sign Up Today!

September is Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, affecting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. By being vocal advocates, we can combat societal stigmas and show that reaching out for help with mental health challenges is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Click here to learn more about how you can help those struggling.

If someone you know is in immediate need of assistance, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

New Grants Expand Services

In the past year, FCR's Rapid Re-Housing for Survivors Program received two significant grants, from the Liberty Mutual Foundation and from the Clipper Ship Foundation. These funds greatly expanded our ability to serve domestic violence survivors who have been displaced from their home or at risk of losing their home due to domestic violence. They helped to:

Hire additional housing advocates
Extend housing and rent assistance available
Place a domestic violence advocate within housing court to help survivors better advocate for themselves and find additional resources

Because of these grants, over 178 additional survivors and their families received assistance establishing a safe home-base from which to start their journey toward health and healing. We have heard so many testimonial's like Abigail's since putting these funds to work, and we look forward to creating the same feelings of safety and comfort for more survivors.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

FCR celebrates all the ways the Hispanic and Latinx communities enrich our society, locally and nationally. While we strive for unity, we also honor what makes each of us unique. To make members of our community feel understood, we encourage others to learn more about their neighbors. To discover more about the Hispanic and Latinx communities and join in the celebration of all that we are and all that we can be together, click here.

Program Update: Healthy Relationships

Just because school was out for the summer does not mean that FCR's Healthy Relationships Program was not out in the community, alongside our partners at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro South, and Cape Verdean Women United, working to prevent domestic violence in teen relationships.

Over the last few months, the Healthy Relationships Team:

Said goodbye to the 2023/2024 Peer Leaders in June
Taught the 8 week Healthy Relationships curriculum at 3 camps for teens 13-18 in July and August
Helped teens, many of whom are already dating, learn how to set boundaries in relationships, identify manipulative and coercive behaviors, and communicate effectively and empathetically with friends and romantic partners
Started recruiting the next class of paid peer leaders ($15/hour, 5 hours/week)

Teens today are ready to take over the world, and when equipped with the information the Healthy Relationships Team shares, they are sure to help create a world free from family and community violence!

Think you know someone who would make a good peer leader?

Click Here for More Information

Who is New at FCR?

Over the past few months, we have had several new faces join our team, and a couple of familiar ones stepping into new roles. Let us introduce you to the newest members of the FCR community!

Charlie Martin (They/He), Licensed Clinician

I am from Boston (go Bruins), and I have worked at various levels of care including inpatient, substance use treatment, emergency psychiatric services, and in homes with LGBTQIA+ children and families-all for the city of Boston. I'm a MA native, ultimately chose FCR because I have a deep connection to community services and wanted to work for an agency that put the individuals it serves first. I'm excited to join the team and hopefully continue to provide a safe harbor for those navigating their own storms; we all learn to sail best when we learn to sail together.

Kaitlyn Douglas, Visitation Monitor

I’m currently a college student studying psychology. I am also an animal lover, crime podcast enthusiast, and avid reader. I am so excited to be a member of Family and Community Resources, Inc. and hope to help contribute to this organization's amazing mission in providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all survivors of trauma.

Jack Parry, Administration Intern

I am a senior at Bridgewater State University pursuing a degree in Business Management. After discovering FCR online, I immediately fell in love with their mission to serve those in need. I was eager to apply to try and be a part of FCR’s organization and I am so fortunate to have been accepted into the internship program. I look forward to giving a helping hand, and I hope to make a difference.

Naomi Lin, Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Intern

I am from Seattle, Washington and I'm currently studying Criminology and Psychology at Stonehill College. I was drawn to FCR's mission once I heard about the organization and instantly knew that I wanted to be apart of it! I love being in an environment full of people who live out FCR's values and are passionate about the work that they do.

Emily Millien, Development and Communications Service Learner

I'm from Massachusetts and currently pursuing a degree in Healthcare Administration. I joined Family and Community Resources because I'm interested in making a positive impact that help support the community. I'm excited to work on projects that support and improve the lives of others and connect with others who share this passion.

Isabella Ortiz, Mental Health Intern

I'm a senior at Stonehill College studying Psychology. I am from Leicester, Massachusetts which is right outside of Worcester. I am looking forward to learn about working with clients in a way that is empathetic and empowering!

New Program Making Survivors Voices Heard

At FCR, we want to make sure that the members of our community feel heard, and that we are providing the highest standard of care to our clients. As such, FCR is currently seeking participants for a new feedback group. To participate, individuals must have received services from a domestic violence agency in either Brockton, Whitman, Abington, Stoughton, Holbrook, Rockland, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Bridgewater, Avon

or Easton.

For more information on the group and how to apply, email Kaitlyn Douglas at kaitlyn.douglas@fcr-ma.org.

Chris DiSangro and the team at DiSangro Transportation go above and beyond for FCR and our community. Not only have they generously sponsored events like our Spring Gala and Walk for Survivor Safety, but they are always willing to pick up the phone and assist with moving survivors and their families into safe homes. Thank you Chris and team - we look forward to working together more!

Safe Link Hotline: (877) 785-2020

Visit our website: www.fcr-ma.org

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