The Turlock Family Network, a non-profit child abuse prevention and intervention organization providing support for families in Turlock, is scheduled to close its doors permanently on Jan. 31.
The closure would come due to a lack of funding. Executive Director Beverly Spielman says TFN needs $50,000 to remain open for one year.
“At this time we would love to accept donations, but at the very least we need several donations of $5,000 or more just stay open a little while longer,” she said.
TFN offers parenting and prenatal classes, intervention support groups and educational programs – all in an effort to build nurturing parenting skills and to prevent cycles of abuse and neglect that so often accompany families receiving social services.
Spielman says that unlike many other family support programs in the area, TFN offers support to any family ranging from pregnant mothers to those with children as old as 17 – not just those who have open Child Protective Services cases. County or state programs only serve children age 0 to 5, or families with active CPS cases.
Finances are the primary reason TFN is scheduled to close, but a lack of fundraising support plays a key factor. Spielman explained that currently herself and four other board members have tried to fundraise unsuccessfully.
“We need five more board members. Right now we only have four and it is just too much for just four people to do,” she said.
Since June, TFN has provided classes and support for more than 300 people.
“We are very busy and a very unique program. This is very sad, we’ve been here before and it doesn’t feel very good,” said Spielman.
In 2011 TFN closed for nearly nine months before reopening in the summer of 2012. In February of last year last-minute donors stepped up to keep TFN open and now, less than a year later, they face another closure.
While TFN has received grants in the past, Spielman says they are now out of cash.
“At this point there is really nothing left to go after,” she said.
TFN employs five staff members, including Spielman.
To donate contact TFN at 209-668-3363 or visit http://turlockfamilynetwork.com.
