2,439 families in North Carolina were supported by First In Families in 2008, and 16,683 have been served since we began tracking the data in 1998. We are funded through a combination of state, federal and county grants; private donations; and fee-for-service activities.
First In Families of NC and the local Chapters receive primary funding from the NC General Assembly, through the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.
Through a federal grant to support people with traumatic brain injury, First in Families of North Carolina is addressing the project goal: prepare families with knowledge and strategies to successfully address barriers in accessing community help and related services.
If you know someone with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) who might benefit from this program, especially those who have served in the military, read more about this project.
FIFNC's Community Bridging initiative builds personal networks for and with individuals leaving the state institutions and embarking on life in the community for the first time; provides outreach to families whose sons or daughters with disabilities are aging and who are not yet connected to community services of any kind; and, in various other ways strengthens the social connectedness of individuals experiencing disability.
Due to the budget crisis, our major funding for Community Bridging was cut last year. We reached out to the community for help.
FIFNC would like to thank WorkSmart Information Technology Consultants and the Lamb Foundation for their generous sponsorship of FIFNC's Community Bridging program, which has helped us keep it going despite the budget cut. Volunteers and additional donations are needed. To find out how you can help, contact Gail Dupre, 919-251-8368, extension 102 or gdupre@fifnc.org.
FIFNC believes in stretching the public dollar, and makes every attempt to match the state dollars we receive with in-kind contributions from businesses, reduced prices, and donations of labor and products.
FIF 2008:
Through the network of relationships and contacts FIF has developed, we either help a family of an individual directly, or we find another solution.
FIF receives 20-30 requests per year to start up new FIF Chapters in regions not yet supported. Please visit the Local FIF Chapters listing in the Local Chapters section of this Web site to see where existing FIF Chapters are located.
It is our goal to serve all of North Carolina within several years. Please contact us to find out how you can help.
Several new FIF Chapters began in the last few years. State funding is our foundation, but FIF is always on the lookout for federal, state, and county grants to support our mission.
We are building a network of Friends of First In Families and appreciate the generous donations received from individuals and local businesses. We especially enjoy sharing our work and our stories with interested investor partners.
Through our Lifetime Connections program and other social enterprises we intend to become financially more independent and self-sustaining while we are offering the community supports and services tailored to what families tell us they need. Families invest in something permanent that does not depend upon politics and program funding.
Visit our Donation page to learn about making a credit card donation, or go directly to our secure online donation page.
First In Families of North Carolina | 524 S. Duke Street | Durham, NC 27701
919-251-8368 | email