"Imagine the difference between a neighborhood where everyone knows each other and comes together on a regular basis, building social supports and community strength, versus one where neighbors don't know each other and don't know each others' children; where if there is a problem with a child someone calls the police instead of the parents, or a family remains isolated in times of need, because the trust needed to reach out doesn't exist." --Karen Solomon The disturbing vision Karen Solomon describes is one of the many reasons why family resource centers exist. But what are family resource centers? FRCs (family resource centers) are mainly government-funded and offer communities the opportunity to become better living environments for the families residing in them through a variety of programs such as health education classes and employment opportunities. While tax payers may grumble at the amount of money taken from paychecks to support such programs, the bitter reality is that these facilities still need more money. Funding and staff shortages often hinder the family-support programs that the centers would like to offer to their communities. "Lack of funding and lack of understanding about the importance of working with the family as a "whole" and supporting families in that way are two reasons that additional FRCs are not 'cropping up' over the state", says Solomon, Director of Community Development for the Chapel Hill Training-Outreach Project, Inc. The emphasis on family support proves to be very popular among social service programs in North Carolina. Karen Stegman, the program director at the Orange County Family Resource Centers, says family resource centers strive toward "building stronger families, healthy children, and safe and supportive communities". Families in underprivileged neighborhoods often suffer from a variety of problems, including child abuse and negligence. These centers provide services in order to "help alleviate stresses that often lead to abuse or neglect" in the household (Velazquez). Programs such as substance abuse counseling and after-school childcare can help with the daily stresses and do a great deal of good for community members, parents, and their children, but there are outside factors that decrease the availability of these resources. Money is a key factor in allowing centers to function properly. Usually, a branch of government (local, state, or national) aids the family resource center in obtaining the minimum annual operating fund of $75,000. Because the communities being served cannot afford to cover any of the operating costs, the government grants are "combined with private foundation and other fundraising activities" to reach the needed dollar amount. But even with the support from their respective financial donors, family resource centers struggle to operate at their full potential. For example, the Orange County Family Resource Centers (OCFRC) receive 90% of their funding from the state government of North Carolina, Division of Social Services. The remaining 10% of their budget is locally funded, from local government, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and private foundations. Yet the amount of money brought in cannot even support a full staff, which in turn restricts fundraising efforts and cuts the centers' programs. According to Stegman, "this fiscal year (July 2002-June 2003), [the OCFRC] received approximately $180,000 to run the entire FRC program. That includes staff and programming at four centers." While they strive to run with limited funding, "it is not enough to provide the truly comprehensive family support services that [the OCFRC staff] would like to have." The loss of programs and staff at the centers causes more problems than just having to find a new childcare center. For example, the Afterschool program at the Trinity Court/Pritchard Park FRC serves thirteen elementary-school children. This lucky group of thirteen does their homework with the assistance of tutoring, gets a snack, and makes crafts for two hours after school Monday through Thursday of every school week. Their parents also receive the benefit of free childcare because of the Afterschool program; while they finish their work day, they can rest assured that their children are in a safe, positive environment. Unfortunately, the center is located in a two-bedroom apartment because that is all the OCFRC can afford to house their center. The cramped space allows only these thirteen children to participate in Afterschool, leaving kids who are in need of homework help and after-school child care on a waiting list. Some of the kids that live in the same apartment complex where the center is located hang around outside, riding their bikes up and down the sidewalk. Once I asked one of these little girls why she wasn't in Afterschool; she said, "Ms. Kathy won't let me." Of course, it's not Ms. Kathy's fault that there isn't enough room in the already overcrowded program (by 3 kids), but how do you keep a six-year-old from feeling left out because she can't participate in something that includes her friends? The last thing these kids need is to feel neglected yet again. Not every underprivileged family shows signs of neglect towards their children; often the entire family suffers from the ignorance of their fellow citizens, local officials, and national leaders. The problems of the disadvantaged reveal themselves in the neighborhoods they live in and the quality of life they are forced to endure, but the power of ignorance among the American public can erase the harsh realities of America's low income, crime-ridden neighborhoods from the national picture. In order to reduce negligence and abuse in the household, something must be done to counter ignorance in the American society. Family resource centers step up to the challenge, but they can only do so much alone. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... A common prejudice against family resource centers, or any free government service, is that they "serve as 'one-stop shopping' centers where local residents can get access to a variety of social services" without an honest ounce of work on the recipient's part (Prokopy). The residents of FRC neighborhoods do receive the benefits of government money, but in turn, they offer their services and leadership as well. "Each neighborhood consists of its own Advisory Board, comprised of 60% parents/community residents and 40% community agency representatives. An average of nine members, per community serve on each Board," according to Solomon. These boards serve much like Congress in the U.S. government, but on a much smaller, more focused scale; Solomon says "the primary role of each Advisory Board is to oversee and/or approve the programs and services that are available to the community. Residents also provide assistance with programming, work closely with FRC staff, and share on-going community needs and community concerns." Although family resource centers have had problems recruiting residents to become "involved in decision-making at the governance level", it can't be said that there aren't any community members working for the improvement of their own neighborhoods (Prokopy). It's only natural that some residents participate more than others, given the extenuating circumstances present in these neighborhoods. Karen Solomon confirms that "parents may be working, unavailable, overwhelmed with basic survival needs, or lack motivation and or the need to participate in FRC programs." Those that don't participate don't use tax dollars. But for those that do participate, improvements can be seen. Not only do the community members learn about the topics in the programs, they also learn about each other, build friendships, and develop trust between their neighbors as they take classes together. The people that have the motivation to participate are helping themselves-they're using the resources available that will free them from the rut of their underprivileged lives. As more family resource centers are financially able to initiate their programs, the more neighborhoods will improve in terms of their safety and economic status. This in turn will improve America as a whole; something that will benefit the entire nation and every citizen within its boundaries.