Currently, the FRN is involved in several county wide projects focused on satisfying the needs of local community members. If you are interested in volunteering for one of our many projects, please visit our “Get Involved” page.
The Baby Pantry: The Randolph County Baby Pantry is held on the second Friday of each month at the Phil Gainer Center in Elkins, WV. Diapers, wipes, and formula are provided to children and/or parents and guardians in need. Other items available at the pantry may include blankets, bottles, cribs/mattresses, clothing, and much more! During this time, guardians will be referred to other community resources that may benefit them and their child.
The Community Baby Shower: Funded by Partners in Prevention, the annual FRN Community Baby Shower is an opportunity for new and expecting mothers to gain access to Randolph County Resources such as WIC, Mountain Heart, Parents as Teachers, and much more! The Community Baby Shower is held in the summer months, and all participants will given door prizes, as well as entered to win special giveaway items.
WVSU Healthy Grandfamilies: A new program to Randolph County recently picked up at Harman School, is dedicated to helping grandparents transition into legal guardians. Over 35,000 children in the state of WV are known to live in the primary custody of their grandparents. Run by FRN Board of Director’s member Schell Hopwood, this program helps provide support to local grandfamilies as they navigate through the difficulties of independently raising grandchildren.
Community Hygiene Closet: Located inside the Randolph County Baby Pantry, and funded by local partners such as Youth Health Center and Tygarts Valley United, the Community Hygiene Closet provides Randolph County citizens with basic hygiene products such as body wash, deodorant, and shampoo. Hygiene bags are also distributed to Randolph County Schools to provide for students in need. If you are interested in donating to the Community Hygiene Closet, please visit our “Get Involved” page, or contact us directly at 304-636-4454.
Mobile Food Distributions: Sponsored by Mountaineer Food Bank, the Randolph County Family Resource Network sets up local mobile food distributions once every two months. Located at Camp Pioneer in Beverly, all community members are welcome to pick up meals during the designated time slots posted by the FRN. If you are interested in volunteering for the Mobile Food Distributions, please visit our volunteer page or contact the FRN at 304-636-4454.
National Kids Day: Celebrated in early August, National Kids Day is an event sponsored by the Randolph County FRN. Usually held at the Phil Gainer Center in Elkins, the annual kids day event is designed to give local families a safe, secure environment to celebrate time with their children. This event often includes activities such as bounce houses, face paintings, carnival games, arts and crafts, door prizes and much more.
Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs: An annual spring event held at the Phil Gainer Community Center in Elkins is designed to promote outdoor recreation while educating youth on the dangers of drug use. Partnering with the Phil Gainer Community Center, Elkins Parks and Recreations, and local law enforcement, the FRN helps set up different activities rooted in experimental education that relate to the anti-drug message.
Pride in the Park: Hosted by FRN Board of Director’s President, Tekoa Jones, Pride in the Park is an event held to celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community. Located in Elkins City Park during Pride Month, this event is a family-friendly, safe inclusive space to gather information and resources. Funders like Partners in Prevention and Center’s Against Violence, help make Pride in the Park a welcoming space where the LGBTQ+ community is both celebrated and accepted.
Coming Soon to Randolph County
Elkins Middle School Garden Project: The Randolph County Family Resource Network is working in close relations with Elkins Middle School to start a gardening club for students. Students may use this opportunity to learn how to grow their own nutritious food. Using the FRN green house funded by Try This WV, the FRN will be donating seeds and supplies to EMS to help lift this project off the ground. The gardening club is on pace to begin sometime in the Summer of 2023.
WV Prevention Naloxone Program: The FRN has partnered with WV Prevention to help spread awareness within the community regarding substance abuse addiction and treatment. Coming in the Spring of 2023, the Randolph County Family Resource Network will be offering Naloxone training courses to interested community members. Naloxone, Deterra, and Fentanyl testing strips will be available to all Randolph County residents at the FRN office located in the Phil Gainer Community Center.
If your organization would like to include the FRN in an upcoming project, please contact our director at 304-636-4454 or rcfrndirector@gmail.com
Randolph County Family Resource Network 