Press Releases

FAMILY ENRICHMENT CENTER NAMED
2007 WEDU BE MORE AWARDS™ FINALIST

Tampa , Fla. (January 5, 2007) – The Family Enrichment Center (FEC) today announced that the agency, which for the past 15 years has touched the lives of more than 4,000 Tampa Bay area children and families in crisis, has been named a 2007 WEDU Be More Awards™ finalist. FEC, one of only five finalists in the Be More … Encouraged, Judges Choice Award category – decided exclusively by majority vote among the WEDU Be More Awards™ panel of judges, was created in response to a critical shortage of African American foster homes and today manages 105 foster homes in Hillsborough County and provides a safe and nurturing environment for children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

“This recognition from WEDU is significant for our agency,” said Olga S. Williams, FEC Executive Director. “It gives our current and prospective clients and donors the confidence to know that they’re working with an organization that has a rock solid reputation for providing programs designed to not only strengthen the overall familial structure, but encourage long-term stability by improving the emotional and psychological well-being of the family.”

The WEDU Be More Awards™ luncheon and awards ceremony, to take place Thursday, Jan. 18th at 11:00 a.m. at A La Carte Event Pavilion, will honor those non-profit organizations that have established a connection and relationship in the local community and with the people they serve. In addition to its foster care and adoptions programs, an important objective of the FEC is to be as responsive as possible to vulnerable children and families to ensure parents have the support they need to help provide their children with the quality of life they deserve. FEC was recognized specifically for its Grandparent’s Assistance Program, which provides those who’ve taken on the responsibility of raising another person’s child an opportunity to meet and talk with other caregivers about the joys and challenges of their parenting experiences, learn new parenting skills and make new friends.

“We’re extremely grateful for the compassion that the community continues to show us,” said Stirrup. “It’s this kind of support that allows us to keep providing services, educational materials and other enhancements that make the difference in the lives of children and families throughout Tampa Bay.”

About the Family Enrichment Center
Founded by the College Hill Church of God In Christ in 1992, the mission of The Family Enrichment Center is to address the social service and family support needs of vulnerable children. Steadfast in the belief that all children have the right to a permanent, caring family, the organization works diligently on a daily basis to help children live in stable families and communities.

About the WEDU Be More Awards™
Launched in 2005, the WEDU Be More Awards™ has quickly become a pinnacle of recognition for the West Central Florida non-profit community. The program is designed to recognize non-profit organizations for outstanding achievement in various areas of special interest. Through an application process, and a minimum of three measurable goals, organizations strive to Be More in marketing, special events, innovation, educational outreach and community spirit categories, as well as be voted as the People’s Choice via an online poll.