JACKSON SQ.—A new family resource center is readying its doors for a Jan. 20 opening in Jackson Square.
The expected opening of the Tree of Life/Arbol de Vida Coalition Family Resource Center (FRC) at the Webb building at Centre Street and Columbus Avenue will help residents address issues of housing, lack of food and negotiating with schools, among others.
“We want to address whatever issues are creating stress in a family,” Tree of Life Coalition Coordinator Margaret Noce told the Gazette. “We plan to use the resource center so people don’t have to become involved with DCF [Department of Children and Families].”
DCF has opened similar FRCs around the state, Noce said, and the Tree of Life center is part of the second generation of FRCs.
FRCs also host various support groups—as will this one, Noce said, once the team finds out what the community needs.
Families Creating Together, an arts program for children and their families, is moving to the new FRC, said Ed Pazzanese, the coordinator for Families Creating Together.
It was previously a program at Spontaneous Celebrations.
Tree of Life/Arbol de Vida is a comprehensive project aimed at promoting strong family ties in a healthy and drug-free environment.
“It’s a coalition of health and human service providers,” Noce said. “We work together to improve the health and well-being of residents.”
Tree of Life is especially focused on family support, public health issues and services for elders. It can be reached at 617-522-4832.