United Way of Central Florida
Mission Statement:
Family Fundamentals is a collaboration of agencies committed to strengthening families and our community by: increasing access to resources and services; empowering, supporting, and inspiring parents to be the best parent they can be; providing fun activities in a family-friendly environment; and preparing children to enter school ready to succeed.
Vision Statement:
Family Fundamentals envisions a community environment that generates successful children, informed and effective parents, a legacy of strong and united families, and safe neighborhoods. Families in our community, from all walks of life, will seek out and utilize the resources, education, and support available at Family Fundamentals, and appreciate the vital importance of early childhood development.
When Success By 6 began in 1995 it was designed to be United Way's primary community initiative. "Our
emphasis has been on leveraging community resources to provide every child with the safe, nurturing
environment that's needed to foster self-esteem, the expression of individuality and the ability to
learn for a lifetime," said Carol Jenkins Barnett, co-chair and champion for United Way of Florida's
Success By 6. Success By 6 has since embarked on a wonderful partnership. Along with more than 50
community partners, Success By 6 has established Family Fundamentals, a resource center for parents.
The center brings together a wide range of services designed to promote family strength and inspire
parental confidence and success.
Family FUNdamentals promotes the concept that all parents can be successful and have gifts to share with
others. "We don't accept a 'deficit model' of family assistance, where people are seen as 'inadequate.'
The whole bureaucratic approach to 'helping people' is contrary to the empowerment of people," says A.
L. "Judge" Holmes, who co-chairs Success By 6 with Mrs. Barnett.
Family Fundamentals is a new approach to helping families grow successfully: a warm and welcoming place
where parents of young children and other family members come to access information, support, services,
and referrals. Several agencies that serve families are on site to provide a one-stop opportunity for
parents. Located above Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, a medical clinic serving uninsured and
underinsured people, the center welcomes drop-ins as well as those who have appointments or are
attending scheduled classes and events. Family FUNdamentals, opened in August 2001, and features a
resource library and computers, arts and crafts room, learning kitchens, playroom, 2 classrooms, and 24
offices for service delivery staff. At this time 50 agencies are offering various programs and provide
services at Family Fundamentals. Services range from developmental evaluations to new parent support
group to family counseling to story and activity time for parents and children to enjoy together.
Volunteer opportunities exist for greeters, cookie bakers, library assistants, crafts teachers, music
leaders, and others who want to work with young children and families.
Copyright 2010 United Way of Florida