CAPCO is excited to announce that, in collaboration with Marathon Central Schools, with the beginning of school there will be a new Family Resource Center (FRC) in Marathon.  The Family Resource Center will be located at the High School at 1 East Main Street.

This is a project that has been discussed for a long time.  The two major challenges to making this happen were available space and funding for the Coordinator.  Marathon Schools stepped up and agreed to house the FRC in the school.  The funding for the Coordinator is being made possible through ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) stimulus resources.  In addition, there have been numerous community partners that have identified services and resources they will be able to bring to the Marathon FRC.

There are many ideas and resources already to be put in place for the FRC.  These have been identified in community meetings, dialogue with the Schools, School Board and community members.

The major benefit to the Marathon Community will be that these resources will be available in their community.  As we get started, there will be opportunities for people in the community to share their ideas and suggestions for other programs, services and activities for the FRC.

Ideas that we are currently ready to start with include providing resources and opportunities for families in the areas of parent support and education, health and nutrition, fiscal literacy, job readiness and life skills, community involvement and volunteer opportunities.

Initially, plans include expanding access to programs and services available in Cortland by bringing them to the Marathon FRC.  Resources for parents will include support and education groups like Parents With Hope, Incredible Years and Strengthening Families.  As we look for ways to assist people in building assets and expanding fiscal literacy we will have staff available to provide budget classes that include opportunities to build relationships with local banks and credit unions.

During tax season, we will have volunteers through the VITA program for income tax preparation.

We will have staff available to address the areas of health and nutrition.  This will include choosing and preparing healthy foods, cooking classes and opportunities for community gardening, canning and freezing.

An important way to increase neighborhood attachment is to help people find ways to be involved.  Through Community Action Angels, we plan on expanding opportunities for volunteering and access to needed resources.  These may include clothing, household items, emergency assistance and more.

Another focus area will be energy services and housing.  There will be opportunities to learn and use resources to make homes more energy efficient, conserve energy and reduce the costs of heating your home.

In addition to these ideas, we will be looking to the community for guidance and involvement in what the FRC actually becomes.  There will be trained staff available to assist people in the community with applying for food stamps as well as researching other resources they may be eligible to receive.  Through this collaboration with the Department of Social Services, members of the community will be able to apply at the FRC and not have to come into Cortland to the DSS office.

Currently, we are accepting resumes for the FRC Coordinator and a part time AmeriCorps staff person.  We would like for both of those positions to be filled by people from the Marathon community.  If you’re interested, or know of someone else who would be, forward resumes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The FRC in Marathon is a place for the entire community.  It will provide resources, training, support, opportunities for youth and community service.  It will be a place to attend classes and workshops as well as drop in to check out resources, use computers or volunteer.  It will be a place where everyone in Marathon feels welcome.