In August 2025, Youth & Family Resource Center (YFRC) was honored to receive a Title II Office of Juvenile Affairs $50,000 Back-to-School Support Grant—an investment that has made a tremendous impact on students, families, and school districts across Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties. As a community-based organization committed to empowering youth and strengthening families, YFRC put these funds to work immediately to meet critical needs and expand access to essential resources in our rural communities.
Strengthening Rural Schools With Critical Back-to-School Support
Many of the districts we serve face unique barriers due to limited funding, transportation challenges, and fewer available services. This grant allowed us to step in and provide meaningful assistance at the start of the school year—support that many families would have otherwise gone without.
Through this funding, YFRC was able to:
- Provide school supplies and backpacks to hundreds of students across multiple rural school districts
- Provide students with back to school snacks for the first two months of the school year to ensure students returned to school without the barrier of hunger
- Support school counselors and administrators with resources that helped them better educate their students in a trauma-informed, inclusive classroom
- Reduce out-of-pocket costs for schools and families, allowing districts to stretch their own limited budgets further
Reaching Underserved Communities
This grant was especially impactful for communities that often fall between the gaps—students living in rural areas where access to services is limited and needs are high. Because of this funding, YFRC was able to deliver tangible goods and mental health services to students that otherwise might not have sought help due to distance, transportation barriers, or lack of awareness of available resources.
Leveraging Partnerships to Maximize Impact
YFRC worked closely with rural school partners to understand specific needs and tailor our support. By collaborating with school personnel, we ensured families received exactly what was needed—from snacks to classroom essentials—strengthening our long-standing partnerships while better serving students.
A Lasting Impact Beyond the School Year
Although the grant was received in August, its effects extend far beyond the back-to-school season. The supplies and supports funded through this grant continue to benefit students well into the school year, promoting academic success, improving wellness, and helping families stay connected to the resources they need.
Looking Ahead
We are deeply grateful for this investment in our mission and in our rural communities. This grant not only met immediate needs but also reaffirmed the importance of ensuring every child—regardless of where they live—has what they need to succeed.
As we look to the future, YFRC remains committed to expanding support, building strong partnerships, and addressing the unique challenges faced by families in Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties.
Together, we’re creating a stronger, more resilient community—one student at a time.