Cordova Family Resource Center, born out of need of a community brutalized socially and economically by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, is celebrating its silver anniversary.
During an open house on Oct. 13, the colors purple, teal and mint green were highlights in shirts and decorations; purple for October’s domestic violence awareness month, and teal and mint green, for April’s sexual assault awareness and child abuse awareness months.
“We’re here. We’re willing to help, and we might not always…have the answers but we are a resource and we can help find those things,” said Nicole Songer, executive director of CFRC. “It is a place for safety and a place for confidentiality.”
“I hope that people would have a better understanding … that we’re not an agency that just helps women,” said Songer, who has served as executive director since July 2004. “We also help children and men. We’re open to any individuals, the LGBTQ community, the youth, different church beliefs and backgrounds.”
CFRC was founded in the wake of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in 1989, by several women who saw numerous friends and families within the fishing community suffering from depression, suicidal tendencies, domestic violence and financial constraints due to the oil spill.
Lisa Marie Jacobs and Patricia Kallander spearheaded the organization; which began with a single desk and phone at the Cordova Electric Cooperative building, said Songer.
They created a 24-hour crisis line for use by those in need.
Twenty-five years later, CFRC offers multiple services, including the youth center, and occupies the entire lower level of the Union Hall, where Cordova District Fishermen United is located at 509 First Street. CFRC has also rebranded the crisis line as the HELP line, functioning 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 907-424-4357 (HELP).
“We are here to help individuals that are in interpersonal (violent) relationships and to continue to strive to change social norms where violence is acceptable, so that our youth of today don’t have to experience those things,” Songer said.
CFRC holds bullying prevention trainings at schools and talks at local churches about personal safety and child abuse and oversees the B.I.O.N.I.C. (believe it or not I care) youth group, comprised of Cordova Jr./Sr. High School students addressing youth issues and training to educate, mentor and lead peers and the community.
CFRC is primarily funded through the state Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, with some federal passthroughs. Services range from safety, shelter and advocacy to legal support and medical advocacy, for victims of violent crimes.
CFRC has teamed up with the Native Village of Eyak, Ilanka Community Health Center, Cordova School District, Cordova Community Medical Center and the Cordova Police Department to create the local sexual assault response team.
CFRC also offers a lending library with literature on topics ranging from self-help and communication to substance abuse and domestic violence, plus a storage unit of donated medical equipment, including crutches, wheelchairs, walkers and canes, free for use by those unable to purchase their own.
CFRC is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and can be reached at 907-424-5674 or by email at cfrc@ctcak.net.
Their new location has two entrances. For direct services and to remain confidential, the preferred entrance is between the courthouse building and SerendipiTea, at the dock across from Pet Projects Unlimited. Access to the youth center, is through the Main Street door, shared with CDFU.
