Tag Archive for: FIRC

When you walk the streets of this beautiful mountain community, it is easy to forget that locals are struggling to feed, care for, and house themselves and their families. In fact, one in three households seeking the support of the Family & Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) this year could not access the health care services, medicine, phone, or even the clothing they needed. Thousands of Summit County residents go hungry each day, skipping meals and running out of food before they have money to buy more. There is no doubt that people are stressed, and one in four clients report poor mental health.

People can focus on being a parent, employee, or student when their basic needs are met. To promote stable families and a strong community, FIRC offers a continuum of support, from housing, food, and medical-to-mental health and parenting services. This year alone, one in four Summit County residents will access the FIRC programs!

While the pandemic becomes endemic, FIRC has shifted along the continuum of crisis response, to recovery and resiliency. Our community’s needs have grown exponentially over the last few years and with your help, FIRC is meeting that need. Since January 2022, FIRC distributed $2,000,000 in food, with 70% of that food being fresh produce, meat, and dairy! Pre-pandemic, Food Markets supported 320 monthly visits. Demand for community food resources has tripled and FIRC now supports 1,380 monthly visits to the Food Markets in Breckenridge and Dillon.

The Family and Intercultural Resource Center is proud to serve our diverse community and FIRC cannot do it without you! Please consider volunteering at one of the Community Food Markets or the Breckenridge Thrift Store or by making a financial contribution. A $25 contribution provides a family with $200 worth of food and a $1,500 donation will prevent a family or senior from experiencing homelessness or leaving our community all together. Our workforce is the fabric of this community, and FIRC is here to help them overcome the challenges that come with Summit County’s high cost of living. FIRC is even partnering with our friends at Building Hope to provide the community with a nonprofit hub designed to make it easier on residents to access services. The Sol Center at Alta Verde will be a warm, inclusive space designed to welcome struggling families and individuals and provide them with the services they need to reach stability.

 

Your support – whether time, treasure or talent – can make a difference in our community.