2025 Year End Newsletter

Celebrating Our 2025 CAP Champions!

On October 23rd, we hosted our CAP (Child Abuse Prevention) Champ Breakfast to honor those who have supported the FRC at a designated level this year. The event was sponsored by River City Bank. We heard a moving, heartfelt story from a former client who is now thriving thanks to the support she received through our agency. It was a powerful reminder of why this work matters and the impact our community can make together. Thank you to our incredible supporters for standing with us and helping families in our community build safer, stronger futures.

15 Years Strong: Striking Out Child Abuse Together as a Community!

The Family Resource Center recently hosted its 15th annual Strike Out Child Abuse Bowling Tournament, presented by Hampton Inn & Suites of Rome, and the community showed up in a big way. Teams enjoyed two fun-filled rounds of bowling while competing for top honors, with the team led by Zane Nicholson (pictured at right) taking first place. Bowlers earned raffle tickets for strikes and spares, all entered for a chance to win exciting door prizes—including the grand prize of Free Chicken Salad Chick for a year. River City Bank won Best Costume for their Wild West theme, while “Gutter Trash” of The Lewis Chemical Company earned Best Team Name. If you missed it this year, stay tuned for next year’s tournament and be sure to register early before slots run out!

We’re excited to share that we’ve added a comprehensive Resource Page to our website! Whether you’re looking for parenting tips, community programs, or support services, it’s all in one easy-to-navigate place. Check it out here: frcrome.org/resources and discover helpful tools for your family and community.

Two of our clients recently moved into improved housing with an urgent need for furniture, and our community immediately stepped up. First Presbyterian Church launched a fundraising effort to help purchase essential pieces, and thanks to their generosity, we were able to secure beautifully cared-for furniture from a local estate sale at an incredible value. Board members and community friends then rallied with trucks, time, and plenty of muscle to deliver everything to the clients’ new homes. This collaboration is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when our community comes together with compassion and purpose!

Giving Tuesday is December 2nd, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of local families by supporting the FRC. Every gift helps provide vital programs and services that strengthen families and prevent child abuse in our community. Did you know that gifts from your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) are a simple way to give and can be especially impactful? Your generosity today ensures families have the resources, guidance, and support they need to thrive. Join our mission by making a lasting impact this Giving Tuesday with a donation at www.frcrome.org/donate/ or one of the other options below!

Our supply of early reader books has been restocked thanks to book drive donations from First Baptist Church of Rome, The Exchange Club of Rome, and Darlington School! We use these books across our services, providing them for new mothers through the First Steps Program and to clients who are working with our Parent Aides. Reading with young children builds early language skills and opens the door for learning. Even a few minutes a day builds vocabulary, boosts attention and imagination, and supports healthy brain development—all while creating meaningful moments together. Our deepest thanks to each group that took the time to collect this important item for community caregivers!

Ways to Make an Online Donation:

Website: www.frcrome.org/donate/ (Credit Card or Paypal options)

Zelle: info@frcrome.org (will come up as Exchange Club Center for the Pre...)

Venmo: Exch Club Ctr for the Prevention of Child Abuse of Rome Inc

FRC Rolls Out Lantern Text-Based Service

Raising a child is exciting, emotional, and can be exhausting! We are proud to introduce Lantern, a text-based messaging program to support parents in their journey! Lantern shares trusted information from pregnancy through preteen--supporting, informing, encouraging and connecting families.

Text the word BRIGHT to 274 448 to opt into messages, local resources, and tips for parenting through age 10 (or sign up online here).

For additional resources on bonding with a new baby, parents of children ages 0-1 can text the word BOND to 274 448 for tips for keeping parent and baby healthy and happy. New parents can also sign up here.

Family Resource Center | www.frcrome.org