Kari Cushing, executive director of Franklin Community Center
1
What is Franklin Community Center?
Franklin Community Center is a non-profit human service agency that offers advocacy, basic necessities and services in an effort to promote healthy lifestyles and positive change. Our mission is to work collaboratively with individuals and other agencies to provide services that will improve the quality of life and foster a sense of neighborhood, community and family for all people.
2
How did you become involved with this organization?
I
started working with Franklin Community Center more than 17 years ago as the Program Director for Project Lift, our after-school prevention program. Three years later I stepped in as Executive Director
when our previous Director retired.
3
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected Franklin Community Center’s programs?
W
e have had to be creative in how we are serving our community. Our focus is on maintaining the physical and mental well-being of the individuals and families we serve while keeping everyone safe. Since the start of the pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of people who are utilizing our food pantry to help make ends meet. Most alarming is that 30% of people who have visited our pantry since the onset of the health crisis have never been to our agency or a food pantry before. For our Project Lift participants we are trying to act as a support system and a liaison between the schools and home to ensure that our participants are able to engage in distance learning.
4
How can community members help Franklin Community Center during this time?
O
ur community has been so incredibly responsive right from the beginning. It is only because of their generosity and support that we have been able to keep up with the increased demand. Whenever we have a need we post it on social media and each day we come in to a donation drop box overflowing with the items we requested. The monetary gifts we have received have enabled us to purchase meat, produce and other perishable items to supplement the shelf stable items we request. It has been so heartwarming to see our community come together to make sure that no one has to go without.
5
What is your goal for the future of Franklin Community Center?
O
ur goal has always been and will always be to continue to meet the needs as they exist in our community with the help of our neighbors. It is a real grass roots group effort. I hope to always stay true to our mission and our roots but continue to grow and evolve as the needs in our community change.