1. News Release
Miriah Griffith
Volunteer Coordinator
1760 West 4805 South
Taylorsville, UT 84118
801-955-9110 ext 104
Family Support Center
Local Non Profit Helps Single, Homeless Women Become Homeowners
Even though non-profits in Utah took a hard hit from statewide funding this last year, the
Family Support Center (FSC) continues its work to transform welfare dependent mothers into
independent, financially stable homeowners. Through their Lifestart Village Program, the FSC
provides facilities and education for up to 54 families with hopes that these dependent women will
learn to remain self-sufficient while providing a stable living environment for their children.
Lifestart Village is a two-step education program that helps mothers become financially
independent and eventually own their own home. In phase one, mothers and their children live in a
dorm-like facility and are under the supervision of a house director. Mothers are required to
receive their GED, attend parenting and Life Focus training classes and find and maintain
employment. Once they have proven that they can provide a stable and safe living environment for
their children, they are offered the opportunity to rent a home on the FSC property. These
mothers will be on a 90-day probation period to ensure that they continue the education programs
to become self-sufficient. If they continue to succeed in their lessons, they will eventually be able to
own a home on the FSC property as long as they follow the Lifestart Village guidelines.
This program is far from a hand- out. While the FSC provides an abundance of support,
these women work hard and achieve these goals on their own. “The work and support gave me the
positive outlook I needed to see that I could reach my goals,” Jane Smith, a current Life Start
Village resident said. “I even started looking at going back to school.”
The Family Support Center and its Lifestart Village program is dedicated to strengthening
families and developing independence. This program changes lives. “It will always deserve my
respect and gratitude for helping me overcome and grow, ” Smith said. “For without it, I would not
have gotten to where I am now”
#####

2. About the Family Support Center
The Family Support Center is a non-profit organization focused on strengthening families,
preventing child abuse, and protecting children. They provide services such as crisis nurseries for
mothers who fear that they might abuse their children, parenting classes, and the Lifestart Village
program. The Lifestart Village program provides welfare dependent women with the housing and
education they need to become self-sufficient and provide a stable living environment for their
children. The Family Support Center relies on the money they receive at their annual Blue Ribbon
Breakfast to fund these projects. Last year FSC raised $31,153 and 160 people attended the
breakfast. This years Blue Ribbon Breakfast will be held on Sept. 1, 2010. For more information
please visit www.familysupportcenter.org