
For 10 years now, the Tri-County Community Resource Center has been serving Levy, Gilchrist and Dixie County residents.
The resource center’s origin was a grassroots effort, as a local group called Tri-County Community Resources (TCCR) had been trying for at least five years to bring a community resource center to the area.
TCCR approached Partnership for Strong Families (PSF) and on April 1, 2015, the two organizations partnered with the city of Chiefland to open the doors of the Tri-County Community Resource Center, according to PSF Director of Development and Engagement Amanda Rodriguez Demaria.
The Tri-County Community Resource Center is one of four PSF resource centers — and the first outside of Alachua County.
Rodriguez Demaria characterized the center as a “one-stop shop” for people far from resources in Gainesville and Lake City. With help from the center’s staff and volunteers, rural residents don’t need to hop between websites and offices, hunting down resources.
“We have somebody that can help them to figure out this is what you need and this is how you get it, which is very unique for Chiefland and that area,” Rodriguez Demaria said in a phone interview. “It’s very special because it really is a community organization that is grassroots from the ground up, and the city has been an incredible partner with us.”
The city of Chiefland provided a building, its former city hall at 15 N. Main Street, which the resource center uses with free rent and utilities. PCF provides staffing—a full-time manager and an administrative assistant, plus volunteers, and Tri-County Community Resources provides an advisory board and fundraising.
“Over the past decade, we have provided vital resources and opportunities to children and families in need in Dixie, Gilchrist, and Levy Counties,” Beverly Goodman, Resource Center Manager, said in a press release. “Last year, we had 8,280 patron visits and we have had nearly 63,000 unique visits since opening. We love this work and look forward to continuing to serve.”
The resource center shares its space with various community partners, including Haven Hospice, the Florida Department of Children and Families, and multiple senior services. Its services have expanded based on the area’s needs and organizations, to include emergency food, early childhood learning referrals, health screenings, free internet/computer use, job application/resume assistance, tax assistance and more.
“We will give space to just about anybody that needs space in Chiefland,” Rodriguez Demaria said.
With the diverse array of services available, the resource center also has needs: from diapers and cleaning supplies to volunteers to help people with taxes and homework, to fundraising. Rodriguez Demaria said if someone is interested in helping out, the best way to get in contact is through email to Goodman, who can be reached at Beverly.Goodman@pfsf.org.
A full list of services available at the resource center is available on its PSF web page.
“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Tri-County Community Resource Center, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the patrons, community partners, Tri-County Community Resources, Inc., and the City of Chiefland, all who have helped make this milestone possible.” Ginger Griffeth, Partnership for Strong Families’ CEO, said in the release. “Together, we’ve built a safer and more resilient future for the families we serve, and we look forward to the next ten years as we continue to make a lasting impact.”