CFEC undertook its Community Family Resource Center (CFRC) project in response to the need – highlighted during the pandemic -- to create new ways of communicating with families who face challenges in accessing information and resources to support their children’s learning and development.

From the end of 2021-June 2023, CFEC partnered with the SC Department of Education (SCDE), local school districts, and local community organizations and businesses to establish at least 15 Centers in locations that families already visit to access essential goods and services. We continue to be available to assist these sites that are now operated by our local partners.

CFEC has since created a toolkit to assist schools, school improvement councils, and other community organizations in creating centers in their own communities. We  are also currently partnering with SCETV to build on the CFRC concept in partnership with The Village in Dillon, SC.

 

What are Community Family Resource Centers?

The basic CFRC is an information station consisting of attractive physical displays stocked with high quality information related to education and community resources for children and families. Each location chooses the information they wish to provide, including information in Spanish or other languages commonly spoken in the area. The basic center is not intended to be a destination in and of itself. Rather, it is intended to meet parents as they go about their daily life in the community in locations such as a gas station, laundromat, municipal or community center, or local public library.

As CFEC collaborated with its local partners to place these sites, we learned that some locations had the space and desire to do more. Some chose to host book vending machines that dispense free books that children can add to their home libraries. Others added seating areas and educational toys that young children and their parents could use to play. Several sites have used their space to host local author presentations for families as well as other community enrichment opportunities.

 

Community Family Resource Centers Around South Carolina

Site	Address	School District
Belton X-Mart Information Center	756 Anderson Street Belton	Anderson 2 School District
Charleston Promise Neighborhood Information Station	1834 Summerville Ave, Ste 200 N Charleston	Charleston County School District
Ginie's Coin Laundry Book Vending Machine Site	1766 Main St Turbeville	Clarendon County School District
Greenview Park Recreation Center Book Vending Machine Site	6700 David St Columbia	Richland One School District
Hope Health Pediatrics Information Station	12 W South St Manning	Clarendon County School District
Katheryn M. Belifield Booker Washington Heights Cultural Art Center Book Vending Machine Site	2611 Grant St Columbia	Richland One School District
Lorick Park - Parks and Recreation Center Book Vending Machine Site	1600 Lorick Ave Columbia	Richland One School District
Mac N Mac's Convenience Store Resource Ctr & Book Vending Machine	13386A Hwy 301 Gable	Clarendon County School District
Mary Ford Early Learning & Family Center Information Station	3180 Thomasina McPherson Blvd N Charleston	Charleston County School District
North Charleston Athletic Center Book Vending Machine Site	5794 Padgett Way N Charleston	Charleston County School District
North Pointe Estates Apts Information Station	100 Ripplemeyer Ave Columbia	Richland One School District
Oakland Baptist Church Ministry Center Information Center	1067 Oakland Ave Rock Hill	Rock Hill Schools
Oconee County Public Library, Walhalla Branch Resource Center	501 W South Broad St Walhalla	School District of Oconee County
Orangeburg Area Boys and Girls Club Information Station	1313 Cannon Bridge Rd Cordova	Orangeburg County School District
Paxville Community Development Center Resource Center	10183 Lewis Rd Manning	Clarendon County School District
Pearson's Barbershop Book Vending Machine Site	33 Railroad Ave Summerton	Clarendon County School District
Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store Book Vending Machine Site	6611 Savannah Hwy Neeses	Orangeburg County School District
Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store Book Vending Machine Site	36 Sunset Drive Manning	Clarendon County School District
Richland Library North Main Branch Resource Center	5306 N Main St Columbia	Richland One School District
Watkins Community Center Information Station	204 S Main St Honea Path	Anderson 2 School District
Woodlands Park Recreation Center Book Vending Machine Site	6500 Old Knight Parkway Columbia	Richland One School District

 

Establishing a CFRC in Your Community

Creating a CFRC in your community can provide an important supplemental line of communication to those families who, for whatever reason, have difficulty accessing information online or are otherwise disconnected from the methods of communication commonly used by schools and community organizations. It also sends a message that schools and communities care and want to support families. Children see that their community values education. CFRCs may also serve as a new community hub, particularly in rural areas that do not have an established community center.

Our CFRC toolkit has all the information you need to get started, and the CFEC office is available to answer questions and provide ongoing guidance. Contact Project Director Karen Utter at utter@email.sc.edu for assistance.

 

CFRC Resources