Family Access Network receives $15,000 grant to support Central Oregon families

CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) -- The Family Access Network received a $15,000 grant from Trust Management Services, LLC to support client funding for families in Central Oregon.

The grant provides funding for advocates to assist local families who are low-income, living in poverty or experiencing housing instability. Advocates use these client funds to supply necessities including seasonally appropriate clothing, healthy food and hygiene items, as well as rent relief, utility assistance and transportation support as students return to school.

Robyn Ridolphi serves as the project manager at the Family Access Network. Ridolphi noted that while the organization collaborates with local partner organizations, client funds allow advocates to directly address urgent needs.

“FAN often collaborates with local partner organizations to connect our families to resources, but client funds allow FAN advocates to directly address certain urgent needs quickly and efficiently,” Ridolphi said. “Funding through TMS is helping our local students start the school year off with their basic needs met and we are so grateful for this partnership.”

The Family Access Network was founded in 1993 to assist local families by connecting them with resources. The organization currently employs 27 advocates stationed across 65 sites in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. Through direct placement in local schools, these advocates support more than 7,600 children and family members annually.

Trust Management Services contracts with the Braemer Charitable Trust to evaluate grant applications from nonprofit groups across Oregon. The trust funds three regions annually on a rotating basis, giving priority to projects centered on education, community service, arts and culture, youth activities or historical preservation.