💘 February 💘 2026 Newsletter

This newsletter is jam-packed with opportunities you won’t want to miss—all designed to support families right here in our community. Inside, you’ll find information on a FREE community resource fair and baby shower for young families, FREE tax preparation, a Legal Aid Society Brief Advice Clinic, fundraisers, employment resources, and so much more.

We’ve truly hit the ground running in 2026—and there’s no slowing down. The need right now is immense. Nearly every day, we receive calls from families who are unhoused or who haven’t eaten in days. Our county is in crisis, and while we are doing everything we can to meet the need, the reality is challenging. Our budget was cut by 20% this year, yet we served twice as many people as we did last year. That pace isn’t sustainable without community support.

If you’re able, we truly need your help. Sharing this newsletter or our social media posts with friends, family, or colleagues makes a real difference. And if you work for a company or organization looking for ways to give back, I would love to connect.

We also want your voice at the table. If you’re interested in helping shape our programming this year, please consider taking a few minutes to complete our community survey. Your feedback directly guides the services and groups we bring into the FRC to best meet local needs. [Click here to take the survey.]

We are also looking for volunteers. If you are available during the day from 8:30am-4:30pm, please reach out to me directly. Volunteers will be required to get a background check through the school district.

Thank you for taking the time to read—and for being part of this community. I hope you find something in this newsletter that’s helpful for you or your family.

Katelynn Gurbach
Program Coordinator
📞 440-810-8201
📧 FRC@wickliffecsd.org

.

Our normal business ours are

8:30am to 4:30pm

Monday - Friday

If there are changes to the schedule,

they will be posted on our social media pages as soon as possible

.

February FRC Closure Date

.

Monday, February 16th

President's Day - NO SCHOOL

It's now easier than ever to make a WicKloset appointment!

Click the link below to see available times and days that fit YOUR schedule. An added bonus is that it goes on your and my calendar.

https://calendly.com/frc-wickliffecsd/30min

Thank you to all who donated, called, sent messages, and passed along healing thoughts for our fire victims. It is a quite a journey to get back to normal but I can say that your generous contributions have made a huge difference for these families. We raised over $12,000 for the fire victims which helped us to purchase gift cards for them to use for groceries, gas, household and toiletry items, as well as to help with a down payment or security deposit on a new place.

Thank you again to everyone who helped. We could not have done this work without you.

Lifeline Lake County offers a program to help with your tax preparation. Lifeline’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides tax preparation help by volunteers. The initial screening is through 211. Qualifying questions will be verified and sent to the Lifeline VITA program for follow up. There is no fee for this service. You must have all tax documentation available to schedule the meeting. Screening begins January and appointments begin in February.

This is for Lake County resident's only.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax assistance to anyone regardless of age or membership, free of charge with low to moderate income. Tax-Aide volunteers are located nationwide, and are trained and IRS –certified. Tax-Aide locator will take appointments early February to mid-April.

Call 211 to find a local provider.

Our first fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A will be on Monday, March 2nd from 6-8pm.

It Takes A Village

A Community Baby Shower & Resource Fair

Join us for a welcoming, supportive baby shower designed to celebrate growing families and connect parents with helpful resources.

Families can expect:

• Baby essentials & giveaways

• Community and local resource connections.

• Support for pregnancy, infancy, and beyond

• A warm, judgment-free space for parents and caregivers

Whether you’re expecting, parenting a little one, or supporting a growing family—our village is here for you. The first 25 people that sign up will get a free pack of diapers and goodie bag.

📅 Saturday, March 7th, 2026

⏰ 10am-12pm

🎟️ Tickets required; free & open to families

📍 Wickliffe Family Resource Center

Located on the Campus of Wickliffe Schools

2255 Rockefeller Road

Wickliffe, OH 44092

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is hosting a walk-in legal clinic in Wickliffe in February. We are excited to welcome them back at the FRC!

The clinic will take place on Wednesday, February 25th 2026, with intake from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Family Resource Center of Wickliffe, located at the Campus of Wickliffe, 2255 Rockefeller Road, Wickliffe, Ohio, 44092.

At this Brief Advice Clinic, Legal Aid staff and volunteer attorneys will provide advice on CIVIL LEGAL ISSUES related to: debt, disability, domestic violence, education, employment, family law, foreclosure, health, housing, immigration, public benefits, record sealing, taxes, utilities, and wills.

Special thanks to volunteer attorneys for staffing this Brief Advice Clinic.

In the meantime, Legal Aid is open 24/7 online - taking intake applications at this link.

Or, you can call Legal Aid for help during most business hours at 888-817-3777.

For a quick question about a housing issue - call our Tenant Info Line (216-861-5955 or 440-210-4533). For questions about employment, student loans, or other economic issues - call our Economic Justice Info Line (216-861-5899 or 440-210-4532).

Are you, your child, or someone you know in need of a winter coat or shoes? The FRC has most coat sizes available - kids 2T-18, and adults through XXL.

Please call, email, or fill out the link below if you would like to make an appointment to get a coats or shoes, or shop the closet in general.

440-810-8201 | frc@wickliffecsd.org

https://calendly.com/frc-wickliffecsd/30min

EMPTY BOWL Event

North Coast Lions Club and General Federation of Women’s Club EASTLAKE OHIO are partnering to host an EMPTY BOWLS Project. Empty Bowls is a global fundraising movement started in 1990, focusing on HUNGER in the community. The purpose of Empty Bowls is to raise funds for local food banks and educate people about the issues of poverty and hunger in their community. Local Artisans donate bowls, guests choose a bowl, and enjoy a simple dinner of soup, bread, and dessert. The bowls are theirs to keep. Learn more about Empty Bowls movement here.

When: Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 5-7 pm, doors open at 4:30pm

Where: Willow Praise Church, Willowick, Ohio

Donation: $20

Contact Lori at 440-530-0789 or lorihlosek@yahoo.com for more information

All monies raised go to local food banks.

Wickliffe Upper School Art classes and Learn. Lead. Serve. have designed and donated 24 bowls for the event.

The Mobile Dentists will be visiting the Campus of Wickliffe on March 11-13th! All Wickliffe students grades PK-12 are eligible to receive dental services.

Paper registration forms will be sent home with Lower School students sometime in February, but you can also register online using the link below.

https://www.myschooldentist.com/WEWIOH_sch

Smile Programs will be offering comprehensive dental care during this visit. This means preventative care, such as cleanings, in addition to restorative care like fillings.

Smile Programs keeps permission forms on file for 18 months—long enough to cover 3 visits. After that, a new form must be filled out.

Parents and guardians are always encouraged to fill out a new registration form (even if their student was just seen in the Fall) in case there have been any address or dental insurance changes!

Please note that completing the registration using the link above does not guarantee that your student will receive dental services at this upcoming visit, as we are already reaching capacity. It does however, put them on the list to be seen at future clinics!

We are collecting diapers, pull-ups, and wipes to help babies and mommies in our community. Please help us reach our 2026 goal of 10,000 items! Last year, we did just over 7,000. I know we can make a bigger impact this year. We share what is collected with Birthright in Mentor, helping over 1,000 mothers and babies each year.

Any brand and size accepted. (The FRC can also accept open packages!)

Purchase on your own and bring to the FRC

OR

Order off our Amazon Wish List and have items sent directly to the FRC

OR

Make a monetary donation using this link

The FRC is excited to partner with Express Employment Professionals to help you reach your career and life goals!

Come see Anne Workman, Employment Specialist on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 3-6pm. She can help you with resume writing, mock interviews, and access to current job leads.

Positions that they generally hire for include Machinists and Laborers, Administration Assistant, Packing and Material Handling jobs, and more. Positions range from Direct Hire to Contract, and all different shifts.

Check out their website for more information
https://www.expresspros.com/us-ohio-mentor

Ready to get started?
Call Anne with questions or to schedule an appointment - 440-751-7158.
Walk-ins are also welcome!

We have birthday cake kits available. Please use this form to request one. Kits will need to be picked up at the Family Resource Center of Wickliffe, located at 2255 Rockefeller Road, Wickliffe.

Cakes can be made using only the ingredients in the kit (no eggs or oil needed).

Kits contain

- 1 box of cake mix

- 1 container of frosting

- 1 can of soda

- 1 cake pan and lid

- 1 package of plates

- 1 package of birthday candles

- Directions for making the cake

Kits have been generously donated by Good Deeds Ohio and others. Quantities are limited.

We will call you once the request is received to arrange a time for you to pick up.

Questions - call Katelynn at 440-810-8201.

Although the FRC is only able to provide non-perishable food at this time, Miss Katelynn understands the need for fresh food and has been working to create a calendar of the various food distributions in the area. These events are usually drive-thru and are open to anyone, and include produce boxes.

Please call or email the FRC to find one near you!

There is also a link below that will take you to United Way of Lake County Produce Distributions.

440-810-8201 | FRC@wickliffecsd.org

Sports physicals, sick visits, and immunizations are available at the Family Resource Center through Signature Health. Primary Care is available for staff, students, and all community members on Wednesdays from 9am - 4pm. Watch the video below to meet provider, Emily Adkins, Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner!

We are able to accept cash, check, or donations through Zeffy.

Donate through Zeffy using this link

Checks or money orders can be made payable to Wickliffe City Schools and put Family Resource Center or FRC in the memo line.

Mailing address

Wickliffe City Schools BOE

2221 Rockefeller Road

Wickliffe, OH 44092

We appreciate you SO much!

The WicKloset is a student-led organization dedicated to providing local families with easy access to non-perishable food items, clothing, toiletries, and more. We are accepting any items from the following list. Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday during our normal business hours at the Family Resource Center of Wickliffe or at the Wickliffe Public Library, Biggby Coffee of Wickliffe, or the Wickliffe City Hall during their regular hours.

We also accept monetary donations at the center. We can take cash or you can make checks payable to Wickliffe City School District and put Family Resource Center in the memo line.

Email: frc@wickliffecsd.org
Website: https://www.wickliffeschools.org/wickliffe-frc
Location: Family Resource Center of Wickliffe, Wickliffe, OH, USA
Phone: (440) 810-8201
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WickliffeFRC

Program & Service Coordinator: Katelynn Gurbach