The Family Resource Connection was established in 1997 by a group of community members seeking a vehicle to provide comprehensive, community-based services for families in Northern Wisconsin. During a year-long feasibility study, the core group investigated principles of family support, models for family resource centers and assessed the needs of Northwoods residents. A business plan was developed encompassing all that was learned and submitted to Sacred Heart-Saint Mary's Hospitals, Inc., with a request for funding to open the Family Resource Connection. Saint Mary's Hospital's administration granted the request for start-up funds and also became the fiscal agent to the newly formed family resource center.

Principles|Mission

Our Principles:
The principles of family support that guided the development of the Family Resource Connection continue to drive service delivery:

1. Staff and families work together in relationships based on equality and respect.

2. Staff enhance families' capacity to support the growth and development of all family members - adults, youth and children.

3. Families are resources to their own members, to other families, to programs and to communities.

4. Programs affirm and strengthen families' cultural, racial and linguistic identities and enhance their ability to function in a multicultural society.

5. Programs are embedded in their communities and contribute to the community-building process.

6. Programs advocate with families for services and systems that are fair, responsive and accountable to the families served.

7. Practitioners work with families to mobilize formal and informal resources to support family development.

8. Programs are flexible and continually responsive to emerging family and community issues.

9. Principles of family support are modeled in all program activities, including planning, governance and administration.

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Our Mission:

We honor families as the life of our communities - where dreams are born, children are nurtured, adults find purpose and life's challenges are weathered.
We believe all families have the right to information and services that enable them to develop additional strengths and enhance family life.
We promote activities that encourage, develop and maintain healthy families.
We encourage community partnerships that empower each family to realize its fullest potential.
We provide family support, education, advocacy for families and children and access to family-centered community activities.

The Family Resource Connection exists to promote positive parent/child attachment, increase social connectivity and enhance the health and safety of children and families.