The Family Center/La Familia

As a comprehensive family and community resource center we are creating a future where all families in our community are safe, supported, and thriving. Since 1995, TFC/LF has been working alongside diverse families to provide high quality childcare and support services, with an emphasis on cultural attunement with the Latinx community. We provide services and support to Northern Colorado families while also working to improve the systems within which families learn, work, live and play. TFC/LF emerged from a coalition of community members concerned about maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for working families and their children.

Through a holistic approach The Family Center/ La Familia supports families through the provision of three pillars of service: Early Childhood Education & Care (El Nidito), Family Support Services, and Mi Voz a leadership development program.

El Nidito: Our Early Care and Education (ECE) Program caters to children aged 6 weeks to 5 years, presently accommodating 55 children on a daily basis. All children bring multiple assets to the program as unique individuals and as members of families and communities. We believe that all children are valuable, deserve respect, and to feel a sense of belonging. We offer the opportunity for children to larn and grow in a way that is appropriate to their development through a strength and play-based approach to joyful and engaged learning. 60%+ of the children at El Nidito fall come from low-income households who speak another language than English at home. Families at the center can receive scholarships, CCAP, Early Head Start or Sliding Scale rates depending on their need. All children, regardless of their socio-economic background deserve high quality care and education. Having a safe and nurturing environment allows for the parents to also continue to pursue more stability by being able to keep employment or go back to school. Last year we warded over $80K in scholarships and 8 children graduated El Nidito to continue on to Kindergarten.

Family Support Services: Family Development Services is a research-based family-centered support model that centers on families establishing an intensive goal-setting partnership with a trained family development worker.  Family Development is a universal-access model that is appropriate for any family who identifies an unmet need and voluntarily enrolls in this wrap-around case management service. Annual evaluations demonstrate positive and meaningful growth in economic security and in areas that protect against child abuse and neglect. Our Family Support Services Programs: Parents as Teacher, The Incredible Years and Car Seat Safety Classes. Last year over 170 community members enrolled in family development classes, 60 car seats were distributed to families in need and over $176k were awarded in utility support.

Mi Voz- Leadership & Advocacy: Mi Voz is a Leadership Development and community engagement program dedicated to making positive changes in mobile home parks and the North College corridor by utilizing community strengths to create community solutions. Mi Voz is working with the following resident-led projects: Poudre Food Partnership, Community Hub, Leadership Lab, & Mobile Home Park Support. Last year 465 community members participated in classes and meetings to ensure that underrepresented voices are heard.

With your support and generosity, we can continue to strengthen the marginalized voices of families and children in our community. Your donations have generational impact in the residents of Northern Colorado. 

•   $25 provides basic hygiene products for a family of 4 for 1 month

•    $30 provides a much needed car seat or booster seat to a family

•    $50 provides childcare for families to attend a leadership class

•    $100 supports food for breakfast for a week to children at El Nidito

•    $500 provides lunch for El Nidito children for one week

•    $1000 supports El Nidito Scholarship Fund

•    $1,500 provides care for an entire month to a preschooler in our childcare center

•    $2,500 supports our community garden for an entire year

•    $5,000 provide our 6 classrooms with supplies for a year (construction paper, crayons, markers, glue, parent engagement activities, etc)

Testimonials

"I am from Guatemala and upon arriving in Fort Collins it was hard to start my life over. TFC/LF has become my family and I will forever be grateful".- Gabriela

"El Nidito provided me and my daughter Sophia with a safe and nurturing environment. I was unemployed and th  Childhood Family Specialist assisted me with the Universal Pre-K and the Child Care Assistance program applications. Having access to affordable care allowed me to secure a new job, while my daughter makes new friends and gets ready for Kindergarten!- Maria

“ I love being the bridge for families and sharing stories or photos of their child. In that moment we get to bask in the love we both have for their child.”- Teacher