“Families who need its help the most may face the loss of a valuable but little-advertised resource if new funds are not found for South Whidbey’s Family Resource Center. We’ve got to get funding or close the doors, said Rosemary Ostling, psychologist for the South Whidbey School District. Ostling is also the district’s Title I coordinator. Title I monies come from the federal government and are usually earmarked for programs such as tutoring, Ostling said. In South Whidbey’s case the money is used to pay for a part-time position at the Family Resource Center. According to Ostling, the center needs to stay open 40 hours a week, but can afford to stay open only two days a week. The center (not to be confused with South Whidbey Community Health Services on Maxwelton Road) is housed in a portable classroom outside South Whidbey Intermediate School. Its resources are available to all families. People feel comfortable in this setting, Ostling said. We provide a place where parents can come and share their worries and their talents. We had one parent whose child had special learning needs. She brought in a speaker for other parents whose children have the same needs.At the other end of the spectrum, she said, there are those who come in and say, I can’t pay my water bill. The heart of what we do is help people who have a need or wish to share a skill, said Gail LaVassar, the center’s project coordinator. The center is a neutral ground where families can come. Sometimes we have people who have difficulty talking with those in authority, like teachers or principals. We coach parents to advocate for themselves. We can provide a window (so to speak) to the school.South Whidbey, LaVassar said, is perceived as a wealthy community.But we have people worrying about having enough heat and we have people living in mansions. The socio-economic difference is huge. Providing resources for raising kids with attention deficit disorder, teaching computer literacy, dealing with teenagers and their challenges are part of what goes on at the center in just two days a week. Families can come in and get a cup of coffee, look through the center’s library and maybe find a solution to a problem. Donated computers are sometimes given to low-income families so parents can learn to use the computer, acquire skills and help their kids with their homework as well. The resource center also holds court-mandated anger management courses. In the past, parents with such mandates had to drive to Oak Harbor, which often meant taking off time from work and finding babysitters; and sometimes the parent just couldn’t make the classes. We were able to work out an agreement with Catholic Community Services, Ostling said, noting that babysitting is provided while parents attend the required classes in South Whidbey. Ostling said the community response to the resource center has been huge, making it important now for the center to be open more hours. The goal is to raise $10,000 to $15,000 a year to fund LaVassar’s position on a full-time basis. We haven’t put a cry out before, but the truth is, we have lots of people coming through our door and don’t have the resources to be here, LaVassar said. For instance, we’ve got a rise in the number of relatives raising kin. We’ve got books, videos, support groups for families who want access to resources for help. The center needs staff to coordinate the varying discussions, Ostling stressed. LaVassar, who has nearly a decade’s experience in parent education and a degree in human resources, does the job exceedingly well, Ostling said, but she needs to be there 40 hours a week. The center is appealing to local businesses and philanthropic organizations for help. LaVassar said she would be glad to speak about the work of the resource center to community groups and businesses. For more information on helping the center, call Ostling at 221-6200, ext. 4607. Donations may be mailed to the South Whidbey Family Resource Center, P.O. Box 346, Langley, WA. 98260 .”