About Us
Welcome to the Challenged Family Resource and Empowerment Center!
We're a dedicated, parent directed, non-profit organization focused on supporting children with special needs and their families since 1992. Our mission is to empower these families through our parent-to-parent support services, ensuring you are not alone in your journey. With a team of parents who understand the unique challenges faced, we provide a nurturing space for shared experiences, knowledge exchange, and emotional support, fostering a strong and inclusive community.
We believe in the power of "Families Helping Families" and are here to support you through a variety of programs and resources tailored to meet your needs.
Whether you're looking for a Down Syndrome Support Group, Autism Support Group, or Medically Involved Support Group, you'll find a welcoming community with us. Our services extend beyond support groups, offering home visits and phone support, and providing referrals to various agencies to ensure you're connected to the right resources.
We're committed to education and empowerment, offering IEP (Individualized Education Program) trainings to help you advocate for your child's needs, Early Start support for new parents, and engaging community presentations to promote disability awareness and inclusion. At CFRC, we're more than just a resource center—we're a family, here to support you every step of the way.
Our
Story
Challenged Family Resource Center was founded by a group of mothers who have children with special needs and deeply understand the joy, grief and challenges that come with it. We are your soft place to fall, here to help you with your questions and provide additional resources when we don’t have the answers.
In Memory of Linda Collins
Linda Collins served as the Program Director of the Dream Adult Day Program for 15 dedicated years. Throughout her time with Challenged Family Resource Center, she touched countless lives with her kindness, compassion and commitment to everyone she so faithfully served. She treated each client with dignity, respect but mostly love. Linda was a valued leader, employee, friend and member of our Challenged Family Resource Center Family.
Linda created a warm and welcoming environment to all who attended our Day Program or came through our doors. Her kindness and compassion is simply who she was. No frills, no fuss, just a genuinely good person, one you could count on and trust. Linda's legacy and compassion will forever live in us. She will forever be remembered.
Thank you Linda for showing us by example and thank you for the difference you made in all of us. You will forever be loved and remembered.
Our Board
Rich Kleitman
PRESIDENT
Mike Pellicano
VICE PRESIDENT
Robin Sneed
BOARD MEMBER
Dewayne Young
BOARD MEMBER
Donna Nichols
BOARD MEMBER
Gayle Sagin
BOARD MEMBER
Mette Jones
BOARD MEMBER
Greg Jones
BOARD MEMBER
Lyalla Dias
BOARD MEMBER