By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Top Photo: Juvenile Judge Ben Baxley recently made a donation to ECFRC to help with their work with children and families.
Anyone, at any time, can find themselves in unexpected circumstances, where hope is dimmed for the future, sometimes through no fault of their own. At the Elmore County Family Resource center located in Wetumpka, the vision is educating the public about services that are currently available even in someone’s darkest time.
Director Chrissy Boshell wants to send a very clear message, and she reached out to the EAN recently.
Hope is alive. Help is available for an extraordinary number of difficult situations. Education is key, and everyone in Elmore County needs to be aware that help is sometimes just a phone call away. There is nothing wrong about asking for help for yourself or your family.
On May 31, there will be a Family Fun Day to help families learn about resources available in the county. It will be held at Coosada Community Center. Thanks to incredible donations, there will be FREE games, sack races, bounce houses thanks to All About the Bounce.
Starting June 18, join ECFRC every Wednesday from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Elmore County Family Resource Center for FREE Job Readiness Training!
This hands-on training is packed with real-world skills to help you succeed, including:
• Effective Communication
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
• Resume Building
• Mock Interviews
• How to Tie a Tie
• Life Coaching & Confidence Building
• Soft Skills Employers Are Looking For
This is absolutely FREE and perfect for:
• High school students
• Recent graduates
• Anyone ready to build workplace confidence and job skills
Let them help you take the next step toward your career goals — they’ll be with you every step of the way!
Call (334) 224-1868 or visit www.ecfrc.org to learn more or register today.
In March Judge Ben Baxley made a special presentation to the ECFRC.
Judge Ben Baxley presented the organization with a contribution from the Elmore County Juvenile Court.
“We are grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of these young individuals,” Boshell said.
In his presentation, Judge Baxley said, “It is my honor to present the Elmore County Family Resource Center (ECFRC) with this contribution from the Elmore County Juvenile Court. The ECFRC provides valuable resources to children and families who find themselves in the juvenile justice system. I am confident in the ability of the ECFRC and its dedicated staff to use these funds to promote school attendance and accountability among the youth of Elmore County.”.
Boshell said, “The ECFRC is 85 percent grant funded, and we work really hard looking for other funding. We want to try to fill in the gaps for people in need and break down barriers.”
For foster families and those who have adopted, there is a support group with quarterly meetings.
ECFRC also fundraises for Literacy Nights at elementary school, with a focus on first and second graders. Boshell said the organization provides resources for parents to help their children with the reading initiative on a state level. She said that parents’ involvement is crucial.
Boshell said that she works with District Judge Ben Baxley in a mentorship program directed at ages 7-15. It is lessons on simple life skills, and communications, and a fairly new initiative. “So many young people enter the workforce unprepared, and without proper skills or knowledge.”
ECFRC can also help those who want to pursue their GED and can create partnerships with community colleges to get credentials and pathways to future careers.
There is also the availability of supervised job searches and help with job retention. This program offers intense self-evaluation, helps with achievements and has a ripple effect, Boshell said.
“We also have a Parent Leadership Group, which is bilingual, that helps families with communications and education, for both English and Spanish classes available.
Pregnant mothers now also have a new program devoted to maternal health. It helps mothers to know their rights when it comes to medical care, and ECFRC has a partnership with area doulas.
Part of this program also involves a formula pantry through the Pregnancy Center, and includes diapers, wipes, deodorant and a personal care center among other services.
The ECFRC originally began in 2007 as a hotline number for services, through an initiative of Judge Maura Culberson. The main hotline number remains and is 334-224-1868. A call will put you in touch with the ECFRC staff and professionals.
Judge Culberson retired in 2013 after 18 years as an Elmore County Judge, known for being tough, but especially compassionate when needed. She passed away in 2023.
The judge’s compassion lives on through ECFRC and has been greatly expanded over the years.
“We want to give a hand up, not a handout. We want to leave people better than we first found them,” Boshell said.
The organization also sponsors free lunch and learn opportunities at their office. The next one coming up will be at the office, located at 917 West Osceola Street in Wetumpka, June 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please contact the ECFRC at the number found at the end of this article.
It takes a lot of partners to bring so many ways to help and educate Elmore County residents with real help that is available. ECFRC also works with is Workforce Development.
All of the services offered are absolutely free. “There is no sliding scale. It doesn’t matter if you make six figures or six dollars, or what or your level of education. It is about helping families in need, offering extra support, with no qualifications.”
“I like to say that we are Hope Dealers,” Boshell said.
She really does believe that hope is a powerful tool. She began working with the original hotline many years ago, calling it “heart work that is heart driven.” Through her experience she has adopted three children over time. She isn’t just talking about providing hope, she is living what she calls a dream to be supportive and make a difference.
She is joined by a crew of staff, who are trained in their individual areas.
The Elmore County Family Resource Center recently moved and is now located at 917 W. Osceola Street
Wetumpka, AL 36092
(334) 224-1868
Executive Director
Chrissy Boshell
(334) 224-1868
Be sure to visit the Elmore County Family Resource Center for more information on their services. The website is https://www.ecfrc.org/
