Many children in Rowland Unified School District live in homes that struggle with issues related to poverty.  RUSD annually identifies between 2,500 and 4,000 children throughout our District who qualify under the federal definition of homeless.  Many of these families live in motels, garages, or homes with other families doubled-up because they cannot find affordable housing.  

The Family Resource Center seeks to provide these children with clothing, shoes, backpacks, school supplies, and other necessities to help them to be academically and socially successful in school.  

We have come to heavily rely on partnerships, non-monetary donations, and our District employees, friends, and family.  Our amazing partnerships with local community organizations who have been generous to our students include such groups as Kiwanis, Faith Community Church of West Covina, Costco, EcoLab, Bread of Life Church, Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops throughout the district and our local Sheriff’s Department.  We are always looking for additional partners.  If you know of anyone who would like to partner with us to serve students, please do not hesitate to let us know by calling (626)854-2228.   We also recycle uniforms in good condition and we do use clothing that is donated by the generosity of District employees. Donations are accepted daily at the Family Resource Center during the working hours between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday through Friday. (Located at Northam Elementary - 17800 E. Renault Street in La Puente).     

We also have a number of Family Resource Center gift-giving suggestions for the quickly approaching holiday season.  

• Rowland Community Closet for Children (RCCC):  Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Rowland Community Closet for Children.  The Closet was founded in 1996 as a Community of Caring project to help provide children with basic school clothing necessities.  Checks may be made payable to RUSD-RCCC and sent to the Family Resource Center at Northam Elementary. This funding source is really important to the FRC and also helps us with day-to-day operations to meet the needs of students across the district.   Some of these needs include supporting our 12^th graders with graduation gowns and prom opportunities, outdoor education supplies for 6^th graders, book fees for displaced students, fieldtrip fees for students in need, and supplies needed to support academic needs (paint, scientific calculators, PE clothes, etc.). 

• FRC Adopt A Turkey Basket:  We would like to provide a complete turkey basket meal for some of our neediest families across the District.  We have a list of suggested items which is attached below.  If you are interested in helping, please call the FRC at (626)854-2228. We are asking that all baskets be brought in the Family Resource Center between Friday, November 21^st and Tuesday, November 25^th.  We additionally will also take monetary donations with all funds going towards items purchased for baskets.         

• FRC Adopt N Shop:  Employees, families, services groups, youth groups, scouts, district departments, clubs, churches, individuals, or schools are invited to participate in December for FRC’s Adopt N Shop program.  Sponsors are provided with a child’s age, gender, clothing sizes and toy wish list.  Sponsors purchase gifts, wrap them, and bring them to the FRC for our Holiday Celebration on Saturday, December 13, 2014 where Santa presents the gifts to the adopted child.    Please contact the Family Resource Center if you or your group would like to participate.  Below is the sponsor form.  You can complete it and e-mail it back to us or contact Kathy Rodriguez at [email protected] for more information.  

Thank you in advance to our Rowland Unified Community for your support and generosity.  We love serving our families in partnership with you.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate Kathy Rodriguez or Irene Rodriguez at FRC (626) 854-2228 or you may e-mail Jennifer Kottke at [email protected].