The Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success Family Resource Center—known by its acronym EVICS—is a lifeline for many families navigating the complexities and financial challenges of raising children.
In the Estes Valley there are few if any options for families to find affordable, gently used children’s items. In response, EVICS opened the Kids’ Closet in a local storage locker that was funded through a grant.
“Our programs change but we always strive to help families access what they need. Between April and November, we distributed 1,322 articles of clothing. It’s been a huge success. We also manage large items such as bassinets, strollers, and pack n’ plays,” said Angelina Kilpatrick, a program director with EVICS, in an interview with the Estes Valley Voice.
In December, the organization gained a partnership with Park Fellowship Church which offered room for volunteers to operate the program with more space. Today, the Kids’ Closet looks like a high-end consignment boutique with a currated selection of children’s apparel. Donated clothing is sorted, washed, and hung up on display racks that make the experience of “shopping” for secondhand clothing feel special.
Right now, the size ranges of clothing ranges from birth through 4T, but volunteers say they hope to expand the offerings for older children. The Kids’ Closet even has some fun items to dress up a nursery.
The scope of EVICS work encompasses education classes about parenting and human development to practical resources like a diaper bank and emotional support. Families seeking guidance in raising their children—whether it’s help with school readiness, parenting questions, or developmental milestones—can reach out to EVICS for help.
Begun in 2006 to help families pay for childcare, the organization has evolved over the years to offer more programs and services and was designated Family Resource Center in 2019 by the Family Resource Center Association. According to the Colo. Rev. Stat. § 26.5-3-102, FRCs are statutorily defined as a “unified single point of entry where vulnerable families, individuals, children, and youth in communities…can obtain information, assessment of needs, and referral to delivery of family services.”
Among the services EVICS offers are English language classes, workshops, and one-on-one support for families whose first language is not English in order to help parents and children thrive in a bilingual environment. It is not unusual for children to pick up a new language faster than their parents which can cause a difficult power dynamic in the parent-child relationship.
Recognizing the challenges many mothers face with breastfeeding, EVICS offers certified lactation consultants who are able to provide personalized guidance and empower a new mom to gain confidence and make more informed decisions about her baby’s health.
The organization also does car seat safety checks. Lesta Johnson, a licensed child passenger safety technician, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant and postpartum support group facilitator, recently completed a car seat check in the EVICS parking lot for community member Valerie Franklin.
EVICS has is a hub for connection for young families who often come for one service only to discover other services they can use. A parent attending an ESL class might learn about the lactation consulting program, while another seeking educational support for their child might find a new peer group of supportive parents. This interconnected approach encourages belonging and mutual support that goes beyond individual programs.
Incorporated as a 501(c)3, EVICS relies heavily on volunteers who lend their time to donors who fund their work.
“We have two volunteers that regularly run the Kids’ Closet, but about ten rotating volunteers help on donation days,” Kilpatrick said.
The organization which has a 13 member community board and a staff of seven offers a free legal clinic, application assistance, children’s playgroups, childcare resource list, bilingual support and translation help, early childhood mental health consultation, a citizenship program, ASQ developmental screening, babysitting classes, and assistance in becoming a licensed childcare provider.
For information about when the Kids’ Closet is open, or to volunteer to help with the program or view the donation policy click here to contact EVICS.
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