 |
| |
Members of the Rotary Club of the North Fork Valley were thrilled to present Families Plus with a donation for $19,563.00 to kick off their Mental Health Initiative, a collaboration between Families Plus, Paonia K-8 and the Rotary Club. The Club met this goal through fundraising and a Rotary Matching District Grant. The major fundraiser, A Garden Brunch, was held in June and sponsors Hellman Motor Company, Zenzen Gardens, musicians SHH, Kevin Parks/State Farm, Re/Max Mountain West and United Business Bank/Paonia assured its success and created the reality of a large donation to Families Plus.
Families Plus has hired Dorothy Lorig to facilitate its program at Paonia K-8. She will have an office at the school as well as in the community. Sam Cox, Paonia K-8’s principal, is working with Families Plus in adapting this creative approach to behavioral health care. The program will include after-school clubs, skill building activities and events, parent support groups and individual therapy services in Paonia K-8 and North Fork School of Integrative Studies (NFSIS).
Families Plus, a Delta County non-profit, serves to empower children through a variety of programs. Brenda Holland, PhD, a clinical psychologist, created Families Plus 26 years ago in Delta County with the goal of enabling children with complex needs to become healthy, educated, and productive young adults. Her wrap-around approach includes building a long term support network in our community for children and their families. Some of the families she works with need help with housing, food, transportation, and parent/child interaction. With Families Plus, an entire team of behavioral health specialists stands behind each child, supporting him/her for as long as necessary.
North Fork Rotary Club members anticipate great success in the collaboration of Families Plus, Paonia K-8 and North Fork Valley Rotary. The club looks forward to future fundraisers for this community-worthy endeavor.