FRC Success Stories
Numbers can only tell you so much about our organization’s impact, but these stories speak to the reality of the work we do. The staff members of the FRC started a document called FRC Stories. The organization has been recording stories since May 2022. These stories are staff experiences that have either moved staff emotionally or speak to the success of this organization to deliver dynamic services to meet the needs of a family in crisis. The document started as an outlet for staff to share “feel good” stories among each other to remind ourselves the impact we have. However, we came to realize that these stories are more than just “feel good” stories, they are success stories. These stories provide a glimpse into the nature of this organization and our commitment to helping families. Please note these are only a fraction of stories we have and we only share stories that we feel comfortable with.
February 2023
The Public Health Department of Fond du Lac County referred an individual from the juvenile courts to the Family Resource Center. The representative from the department stated that the family had 8 individuals that had lice. The department sent a staff member to pick up the supplies and the distribution center was able supply the family +10 items to combat the lice including a kit for each family member.
Jessica Schowalter, Office Manager
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January 2023
A mother had recently gotten custody of her nephew and came into the FRC for diapers and wipes. The mother asked about a toddler mattress. Later that day, the FRC recieved a donation of a brand new toddler mattress, which was given to the mother. The mother also signed up for SOAR classes. The mother shared that the child was having a hard time sleeping and transitioning since their mother died. Our parent educators were able to help the mother with grief counseling for the child.
Sarah Mauthe, Parent Educator
January 2023
A mother called FRC and asked if we had a pack-and-play. The mother stated that her family had recently moved and the child’s bed was in storage. The mother shared that the child only got 3 hours of sleep because she was used to sleeping in her own crib. While holding the sleeping child, the mother signed up for the distribution center and stated that she had called Salvation Army and St. Vinny’s but both places stated it would take three days to get her one. The staff was able to provide the mother with a pack-and-play
Jessica Schwolter, Office Manager
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December 2022
The FRC opened a Christmas distribution as a safety net for the county of Fond du Lac. The distribution was designed to have flexible pick up times that specifically cater to families’ schedules. Going out of our way to help families, I received approval to keep the FRC’s distribution center open during a blizzard. The FRC normally closes when the schools close, but we could recognize that people still needed assistance. I kept the distribution open from 11:00 am – 4:30 pm. That day I helped 22 families with distribution aid (diapers, food, hygiene, Christmas presents, etc.), while also manning the phones and directing individuals to resources. A homeless mother had also called and explained that she was currently staying at the Motel 6 with her two young children. The mother was unable to make it to the FRC to pick up aid. I put together a care package with essential children’s aid, food, and Christmas toys. I drove through the blizzard and delivered them to the family at the Motel 6 across town.
Kaniala Aragon, Visitation Supervisor
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December 2022
The FRC received a phone call from SSM regarding a mother who had an appointment and disclosed to staff that she had missed the Toys for Tots deadline in November and didn’t have gifts ready for Christmas. The mother entered the FRC and immediately began to choke up when attempting to communicate what she needed. The mother struggled to communicate what she was there for and that’s when staff intervened to ask if she was here for a Christmas gift for her children. The mother had been to FRC prior, but not in months, and shared that she doesn’t utilize our services unless it’s an emergency because she understands there are people in worst situations. However, the FRC was able to supply the mother with Christmas gifts for her children. The mother became very emotional when thanking the staff and explaining how much this meant to her.
Kaniala Aragon, Visitation Supervisor
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November 2022
The Fond du Lac school district called and stated that they had a Spanish-speaking mother that was due in January. The mother needed a car seat, clothing, bottles, and baby bathtub. The distribution center was able to provide all the materials and more. Staff were also able to provide the mother difference resources.
Sarah Mauthe, Parent Educator
November 2022
A homeless family called FRC asking for a crib and toddler bed. When the family came, they requested clothing, toys, mattresses, hats, and other household needs. The family stated that they have been homeless for 6 months and just got accepted for an apartment. One of the children did not have shoes, so staff provided the family with with a Goodwill voucher.
Jessica Schowalter, Office Manager
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November 2022
Nurses from SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital referred a new family with their ten-day-old baby to the FRC. The family did not know she was pregnant and needed items for their newest child. Upon helping the new mother, she broke down crying and stated that our program was a blessing The mother then explained how hard it has been for the family, since they are now a family of 8. The mother couldn’t express how grateful she was and then hugged me crying. Staff explained our different services and explained how our parent educators could help the mother further. The family joined SOAR and it was a special moment to see this family leave with everything they needed for their precious new addition to their family.
Kimberly Oreck, Executive Director
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October 2022
A Mother that was working with our parent educator on trauma care and had previously came to FRC for resources on AODA treatment. Staff provided the mother with different resources in county. The mother stated that she needed to attend treatment program to help get her children back. Staff referred the mother to SSM Health. The mother called back a few weeks later and thanked staff by saying, “You helped save my life because I am now getting the treatment that I need.”
Lisa Wolter, Parent Educator
October 2022
A mother called that did not speak English. She just got in town from Honduras. The mother has three children, the middle child has autism, the youngest is 2 months old and the mother had nothing for the child. Our translator met with the mother and helped her sign up for Toys for Tots and the Coat Program. We let her know that we have a SOAR program, which she was interested in. The mother received a the necessary aid needed to care for her children. Staff also provided with her with a full community resource guide in Spanish.
Varie Ortegas, Visitation Supervisor
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October 2022
A mother called the FRC asking for coats for her 4 children. The mother had been in the week prior and talked about how she was going to be evicted. Staff asked about her housing situation, the mother told staff that she was staying with a friend and looking for an income-based apartment. The mother stated she had to save her money for housing that’s why she called about the coats. The staff was able to provide coats, hats, and gloves for all the children. Staff was able to provides a list of housing resources within the community. Later that month, the mother came in to get diapers and shared with staff that she was getting fast-tracked into a income-based apartment.
Jessica Schowalter, Office Manager
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October 2022
A mother came into the FRC for diapers and coats. The mother saw that we had free rapid covid tests and took some for her family. The mother talked with staff about the difficulties of living in a full shelter and worries of covid.
Kaniala Aragon, Visitation Supervisor
September 2022
A homeless family referred to us by Advocap was assited with coats, diapers, and clothing for four children. The mother had the children try on the different coats and pick their favorite hat in our lobby. The mother also signed up for classes with our parent educators.
Kimberly Oreck, Executive Director
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September 2022
An expecting mother came into FRC and stated that she was due in a month. The mother said it was her third child and she had recently lost her job. The mother also shared that she just moved into income-based housing. The mother signed up for SOAR and FRC was able to provide her with wipes, diapers, nursing pads, bottles, a blanket, and clothing.
Jessica Schowalter, Office Manager
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August 2022
A teen mother came into the FRC and needed diapers, wipes, and other baby items. Staff was able to get her the aid necessary to take care of her child. Staff also helped the mother access ethnic hair products for her and her child. The mother was grateful because normal shampoo dries their scalp out.
Kimberly Oreck, Executive Director
August 2022
A mother came in and needed diapers, wipes, and hygiene products. The mother also talked about her autistic child. I was able to talk her about my experiences raising an autistic child. I was able to give her multiple resources in the community to help her and her child.
Jessica Schowalter, Office Manager
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July 2022
An emotional mother came into the Family Resource Center for diapers and wipes. When staff asked her if she needed any additional aid, she disclosed that her family was going to be evicted tonight and that she needed any additional aid. She shared with staff that she had her three children of 10 months, a year, and an 8-year-old with her. The Family Resource Center was able to give her two suitcases and additional supplies. Our organization gave her additional diapers, clothes, hygiene items, formula, and baby food. The staff was also able to give the mother a Goodwill voucher. The mother had disclosed that she did not know where to go and planned to go back to Chicago with her children via a Greyhound bus. The Family Resource Center staff sat down with the client and contacted several agencies within the community. Staff helped the family to get into a local shelter and called various other agencies to find motel vouchers before they move in. Staff assisted her for close to two hours and after contacting multiple agencies were able to get her fast-tracked into a shelter and find housing for two days before the move-in.
Kimberly Oreck, Executive Director
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June 2022
Nurses from the SSM Health OB floor called the Family Resource Center and explained to the staff that they had a Spanish-speaking woman brought to the emergency room with stomach pain. They discovered she was going into labor. The mother gave birth to a premature baby girl and did not have anything prepared for her. The family had no idea that she was pregnant. The Family Resource Center assembled an emergency care package with infant and new mother supplies. The staff at SSM stated that they were low on staff and unable to retrieve the supplies. A Family Resource Center staff member drove to the hospital and brought the care package and supplies to the sixth floor. Staff also explained to the supervising nurse the various services and Spanish resources available.
Kaniala Aragon, Visitation Supervisor
May 2022
A mother from Chilton called to ask if the FRC had a specific type of formula. The mother told staff that she had been driving to Milwaukee to find this type of formula. Due to the formula shortage the mother could not find it at WIC or any of the stores in the area. The distribution center kept a supply of the specific form and was able to help the mother.
Lisa Wolter, Parent Educator
May 2022
A mother called the FRC and asked for formula. The mother stated that she had gone to all the stores in Fond du Lac, Appleton, Oshkosh, and Ripon and could not find her child’s formula anywhere. Staff had the mother sign up for the distribution center and helped the mother to get the formula she needed for her child.
Jessica Schowalter, Office Manager
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May 2022
A mother came into the Family Resource Center with her two young children for diapers and wipes. However, upon talking to the young mother she disclosed that she just become homeless and the family was living in their van. Our files indicated that she hadn’t utilized our services in over a year. Staff helped the mother to get diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, baby books, and large assortment of hygiene items. The staff also helped the mother to pick out outfits for her 1-year old. The mother dressed the child in one of the outfits she picked out in our lobby. The staff also gave her a list of resources to reach out to for shelter.
Kimberly Oreck, Executive Director
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