The Center for Family Resources: Strengthening individuals, families, and communities

THE VISION

In 1960, our founders Fred Bentley, Sr., Howard Ector, and Harry Holliday envisioned a better way to combine six existing emergency assistance organizations in the county under one roof to be more effective and efficient. Our founders approached United Way (formerly Community Chest) for funding. The result was Cobb County Emergency Aid Association, Inc. (CCEAA).  During the first decade, a part-time director, Florence Beddingfield worked tirelessly to help meet the emergency needs of Cobb citizens through financial assistance, furniture, clothing, medical supplies, food, and a Christmas program.

IDENTIFYING BARRIERS

In the mid-80s, CCEAA began to look closely at the barriers families faced in becoming independent and self-sufficient. Families repeatedly faced limited access to affordable transportation, childcare and housing, as well as a lack of education and training to secure and maintain employment. The organization determined the removal of those barriers was the real key to breaking the cycle of poverty. The organization also changed its name to Cobb Family Resources.

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

Cobb Family Resources then adjusted its mission to find real, lasting solutions that would not only impact our clients’ current condition, but also ensure their future success. Over the next two decades, CFR continued to grow, learn and adapt in changing and difficult times. In 2004, the agency changed its name to The Center for Family Resources.

CFR TODAY

CFR has grown from a small emergency aid agency to a multi-function human services organization, serving both generations of the family to develop personal responsibility and a self-sufficient lifestyle. Housed in the multi-tenant nonprofit center, the Mansour Center, CFR’s programs are highly successful and consistently meet our targets for success. CFR develops and maintains collaborative partnerships with organizations on many levels to improve services and impact systemic barriers affecting our clients.

A BOLD VISION REALIZED

With the purchase of 995 Roswell Street, the agency realized the dream of its founders and opened The Mansour Center, a one-stop shop of resources for families in need.  Designed to support the work of CFR and other non-profit organizations, the Mansour Center nonprofit tenant center model allows affordable office space for 13 community partners and affordable conference and special event space for the community.

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