30 Sep 2024 Searcy Family Resource Center offers a clean start for students, families in need

Posted at 7:59 PMh in Features by

By KD Reep

There is an old saying, “If the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain.” Such is the case for Searcy Public Schools’ Family Resource Center.

“It took us awhile and we realized it would never come to fruition if we didn’t just go ahead and do it, but we’re really proud of this mobile center,” said Christine Harrell, federal programs coordinator for Searcy Public Schools. “We’re still working out some kinks, but for the most part, our mobile family resource center is helping families throughout our school district wash their clothes; get some food, clothing or toiletries if needed and get access to Wi-Fi if they need help with homework.”

Raymond Reynolds, the Facilities Director for Searcy School District, did the construction, lighting, electrical and plumbing which created a Family Resource Center within a trailer. Photos by Makenzie Evans.

Harrell said she came upon the idea of a mobile family resource center after receiving a grant during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The allocation was the American Rescue Plan, and the approximate $31,000 we received was specified to be used for those students in our community who are experiencing homelessness,” she said. “I put together a committee of people from both our schools and the community – transportation was represented, food service, administrators, counselors, nurses, you name it – and we began to discuss how to use this $31,000. I’ve been the homeless liaison for several years, and I knew there was a need for a location where parents or students could wash their clothing. That was kind of key to me, because we have washers and dryers at all the schools, but bringing your clothes to school can be embarrassing. 

The committee talked about that and how there are a lot of other families that could use this service that weren’t particularly considered experiencing homelessness. I had conversations with the Arkansas Department of Education to see if I could combine this funding with another funding source to build the resource center and [have] it be available to any student in our district.”

The Family Resource Center launched last spring providing students access to a washer and dryer, shelf-stable food, gently worn clothing, toiletries, hairbrushes and school supplies. There is also a Chromebook and a Wi-Fi hotspot in the center so students can study while doing their laundry.

For 18 months, Harrell and the committee met, researched and discussed ways to accomplish this mobile center. The district’s facilities director, Raymond Reynolds, and a few of the committee members investigated some ways to install a washer and dryer in an enclosed trailer.

“He and another of our facilities staff drove to different dealerships to look at trailers,” Harrell explained. “They pulled into Nationwide Trailers in Cabot, and there was one trailer that was bright red with black trim, which are our school colors, and it was just the size we needed. After talking with the sales representative and explaining what we had in mind, they gave us a deep discount. That’s how we chose the trailer for what is now the Family Resource Center.”

The contributions only began there. Reynolds and his team found a washer and dryer at a local furniture store, which paid the taxes toward the purchase, and an anonymous donor provided two large water tanks, one for clean and the other for dirty water. Harrell said a flooring company contributed both flooring and time to install it, and an RV company installed a handle, step and awning, where those using the center can sit outside during nice days while their clothes are being washed and dried.

Generators power the trailer’s washer/dryer, Wi-Fi and lights. It is a mobile resource center for families in Searcy. To donate, volunteer or inquire about availability, contact Christine Harrell at 501.305.1685 or [email protected].

“The EAST students decorated the inside with inspirational sayings because they wanted the center to look and feel homey and welcoming,” Harrell said. “The head of our art department even held a student contest for a design for the outside of the center, and we couldn’t decide between the final two, so we decided to use both – one on the front of the trailer and the other on the back. It really is an entire community project.”

In addition to access to a washer and dryer, the committee decided to also offer kid-friendly products like shelf-stable food that’s easy and safe to open; toiletries like soap, shampoo, deodorant, hairbrushes, toothpaste, toothbrushes and school supplies if needed.

“If a student needs help with their homework, we have a Chromebook and hotspot in the center so they can study while doing their laundry,” Harrell said. “We also have gently worn clothes for just about any size from child to adult. We try to keep everything on hand a person may need.”

The center launched its first dates in the spring of 2024, parking in Searcy Public Schools’ Lion Stadium on Tuesdays and the elementary school on Thursdays. “We wanted to make the center accessible to all areas of town, so we chose these sites to accommodate that,” Harrell said. “We have volunteers who help the students and families using the center – making sure they get items they need, showing them how to use the washer and dryer if they don’t know how, and helping them with resources. We still need volunteers, and we are still streamlining how the center works best, but we have learned a lot and will continue to offer what we can.”

To donate, volunteer or inquire about availability, contact Harrell directly at 501.305.1685 or send an email to [email protected].