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e believe that the most effective way to ensure the healthy growth and development of children is to support families and their communities; understanding that being a parent is a most important and maybe the hardest job you will ever have. When you visit the Family Resource Center, you will not be told what your family needs. You will be asked how we can assist you. The Family Resource Center is a perfect fit to be under the United Way umbrella.

The United Way of Blair County focuses on improving our community by serving agencies within four focus areas. The Family Resource Center addresses two of the four focus areas: Children and Youth and Strengthening Families. As the director of the Family Resource Center, I am excited to work and collaborate with all agencies in our community.

Collaboration is the key to improve services to families and allow all families to receive services. Our goal will be to offer educational and referral services regardless of family income. We will foster partnerships; increases access to health and human services and build the capacity of agencies to serve our community.
Susanna M. Tomlinson
Director

The Family Resource Center offers the following services at no cost to anyone in Blair County:

Parents As Teachers Program
	At home visitation developmental program for families of children ages birth through six provided by certified Parent Educators. To learn more, visit our Parents As Teachers page.
Group Activities
	Parenting classes, support and advocacy group meetings, and personal development classes. To view current and upcoming activities, visit our Upcoming Events page.
Information and Referral
	Help in networking with human services agencies, schools, health care facilities, housing, and other community services. To access Information & Referral Resources, visit our Information & Referral page.
Make Parenting A Pleasure
	Make Parenting A Pleasure is comprehensive group-based positive parenting curriculum for stressed parents of children birth to 8. This curriculum is designed for professional parent educators.
	Parents Learn:
	The importance of taking care of themselves so they can better care for their children.
	Practical stress management and communication skills.
	Effective parenting skills and positive approaches to discipline
	Parents Gain:
	The importance of taking care of themselves so they can better care for their children.
	Greater understanding of their children
	A social support network that can continue after groups end.
	This curriculum is built on the following assumptions:
	Parenting is the most important and challenging job there is.
	Parents are their children's first and most important teachers.
	There are many right ways to be a parent or a child.
	Parents are the foundation of the family.
	Getting and giving support is essential for parents.
The parenting classes are 8 to 10 weeks long and held in the spring and fall each year at the Family Resource Center at the United Way of Blair County. A certificate of attendance is provided to parents that attend all classes.
Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities that give you the chance to help families and the community by offering your time and talent.
	Urban Gardens
	Community members and area businesses are currently creating a ground breaking project in Blair County. The Altoona Community Garden is working to feed hungry families in Blair County by growing fresh vegetables in a converted vacant lot on 7th Ave. All vegetables grown on 830 7th Ave will be donated to our local food banks. There is also an education component to the garden. We will be holding four workshops throughout the summer which include the topics, Pennsylvania Native Plants, Urban gardening in your own backyard, cooking fresh vegetables and preserving your harvest. Our goal is to give the people the opportunity to learn about gardening so in the future they could reduce their food bills and have access to nutritious foods. The Altoona Community Garden is also planning to plant The Pennsylvania Native Plant Garden, which will teach our community about Pennsylvania Ecology and promote conservation. Through The Altoona Community Garden we will encourage social, environmental and economical benefits throughout our area. Visit the Blog Visit American Community Garden Association on the Web
Seasonal Events
	The following are Community Based Programs for people in out area:.
	Waly Warmth
	Waly Warmth, a program that buys winter clothing for children in need in the Blair County. Each December, the children go on a shopping trip for their new clothes, and for some, it is the only Christmas they have. Visit Waly Warmth on the Web
	Toasty Toddlers
	Toasty Toddlers was started at the Blair County Human Services Office by employees who were concerned that infants and children to age three were not eligible for warm outer ware programs in our area. In 2010, Family Resource Center was designated to run the Toasty Toddler Project. Children from birth to age three are eligible to receive coats, hats and gloves. Community organizations can purchase outer ware from size 3mos to size 4T and Family Center will distribute to children. Others in the community raise funds and donate the money and we do the shopping. Many church groups knit and crochet hats and mittens. All referrals come from human service agencies that are working with families in need.
Room Rentals:
	Conference Room Rentals to meet your Meeting & Personal needs. For more information about our room and rental services, visit our Room Rentals page.