Family Support Network of Oak Valley Hospital

OAKDALE -- In these difficult times, the Family Support Network of Oak Valley Hospital still provides dozens of programs based on the needs of families with infants, children and aging parents.

Address: 1405 West F St., Suite A, Oakdale, 95361

Phone number: (209) 847-5121 ext. 10

Services provided:

• School readiness classes ("1-2-3 Learn with Me!") and Girl Scout Troops for girls age 5 to 17.

• Parenting classes, pre-natal education and support classes in English and Spanish.

• Car seat safety classes and new, low-cost car seat distribution; free seat inspections.

• "Financial Smarts/Inteligencia Financiera" classes on money management, budgeting and more.

• Food and clothing distribution, shelter assistance and travel vouchers.

• Insurance application assistance, Notary Public, job application assistance.

• English and citizenship classes.

• Resource and referral for housing assistance and referrals for social and mental health services.

Individuals and/or families assisted per month:

With multiple services, programs and activities, we serve hundreds of individuals per month. Examples include:

• 30 families for health insurance.

• 60 families a month with food bags.

• 30 people taking car seat safety classes and 15 car seats distributed.

• 57 girls involved in Girl Scouts.

• 400 pounds of clothing distributed each month.

• 25 referrals for housing, job searches, clinical and mental health services.

How a $10 donation can help:

1. Two blankets for a family.

2. Formula/diapers.

3. 53 pounds of food from Second Harvest Food Bank.

$25 donation:

1. Parenting class materials and supplies.

2. Cleaning products for the resource center.

3. $25 Kmart card for family to purchase socks, underwear, toiletries (non-donated items).

$50 donation:

1. Infant car seat.

2. One night lodging for homeless family.

3. 263 pounds of food from Second Harvest Food Bank.

$100 donation:

1. Utility bill assistance for family.

2. Four child car booster seats.

3. Educational DVDs, program materials, supplies, paper, printer cartridges.

Volunteer update:

We do not need volunteers at this time. Local high school students volunteer on an as-needed basis.

Anything else we should know?

Our county is still dealing with the challenges of a recession and a deteriorating labor market, which have made it very difficult for families to meet all their basic needs.

The Family Support Network of Oak Valley Hospital is still managing to provide our local families with much needed immediate support. This is made possible by a combination of grants, donations from service clubs, businesses and generous individuals and various fundraising efforts throughout the year. In order to continue our much needed efforts, we need your help. Every dollar counts and every donation we receive is put to good use.

Lourdes Arias and her husband, Juan, arrived in Oakdale with little money. They lived in a home with no furniture and they had no car. And Lourdes didn't speak much English.

"I participated here at Oakdale Family Support Network for more than seven years," said Lourdes, with her children, Juan Arias Jr., 13, right, Jason Arias, 6, left, and Jonathan Arias, 9. "Oh my gosh, that is a big before and after. They're incredible, I learned a lot."

She said the Family Support Network is "incredible" because they give holiday gifts to families with no money.

"I was one of those families," she said. "After attending Family Support I feel like a strong woman, I feel educated about different topics and I feel better with my English."

She said the impact of the support network is immeasurable.

"I'm motivated to move up and to learn more than when I came to this country," she said. "I want to be more positive for my family and the community and I feel ready for life. Now I'm very happy. I'm working, I have my own car, I go anyplace I want to go, I attend the meetings with my kids and I'm very active in the community."