What We Do

Education and Household Statistics:

On average, society sees a return of $7 for every $1 invested in early childhood education. Costs of public schools decrease as participants in preschool education are less likely to repeat grades or require special education programs; decreased crime rates translate to less expense for our justice systems; preschool participants’ higher lifetime earnings result in greater contributions through the tax system, and add stimulus to our consumer-driven economy; participants are likely to consume fewer governmental social services. (summary of various studies cited in “Fighting the War on Poverty” by Jennifer Rokos, 2011).

Money invested today in high quality early education will help children develop the social, emotional, and academic foundations that will serve them throughout life. But early education programs will do more than prepare individual children for personal success. The economy will benefit from a better prepared work force, increased employment opportunities, stronger growth, and rising standards of living, while society will benefit from less crime, enhanced schools, and children who are better prepared to participate in democratic processes. (“The Economic Promise of Investing in High Quality Preschool,” a study by the Committee for Economic Development funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts)

Quality early childhood programs for disadvantaged children are not “entitlements” or bottomless wells of social spending. They foster human flourishing and they improve our economic productivity in the process. Early investment in the lives of disadvantaged children will help reduce inequality, in both short and long run. (James J. Heckman, Professor of Economics, University of Chicago, Nobel Laureate in Economics)

HOPE Academy

One of the most visible and exciting components of the Northern Moore Family Resource Center is HOPE (Harnessing Opportunity—Promoting Education) Academy. Recognizing the need for greater access to early-childhood education in the North Moore High School district, NMFRC opened HOPE Academy in the fall of 2015.

Now in its fifth year in operation, HOPE Academy is at maximum capacity serving 50 children in three full-day classes. HOPE Academy combines learning experiences and structured play in a nurturing, secure, literacy-rich environment.

The preschool program strives to meet the social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs of each child. HOPE Academy recognizes the importance of parent involvement, and offers many opportunities for parents to interact with the staff and children. For more information,visit the “Family Support” section of our website. The goal is that HOPE Academy will cultivate a love of learning, so that each child will enter kindergarten eager and ready to learn.

After School Program

For six years, the Northern Moore Family Resource Center served over 200 children in after school programs at Robbins Elementary School and Elise Middle School.

NMFRC partnered with Robbins Elementary and Elise Middle, employing staff at each school to run our program. Our After School Program Director coordinated with the principals at each school to ensure there was cohesion as children transitioned from the school day to the After School program. Teachers from Robbins and Elise indicated that children who participated in the After School Program came to class with completed homework and were more prepared to learn and participate in their daily lessons. The benefits of the After School program are numerous and, we hope to secure funding to allow us to offer this program again soon.

Summer Camp

Each summer, the Northern Moore Family Resource Center offers a themed day camp that is designed to encourage children to keep reading and learning over the summer, while having fun as well. NMFRC Camp Directors, who are certified teachers, design games and projects to encourage creativity and using one’s imagination. This past summer our theme was Reading Rocks! which was heavily focused on literacy. The school-aged children were divided into six groups that rotated them through daily literacy, STEAM, and physical activities.

Each year the size of our camp grows based on our commitment to caring for and educating children of all backgrounds. NMFRC is searching for donations, which will fund the return of Summer Camp. In past years NMFRC partnered with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all campers. The Food Bank currently does not have a community organization with which to partner to provide this important support to families.

What We Do

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