For Newman residents seeking community support and engagement, the Newman Family Resource Center offers a wide array of services from basic needs support to parenting classes to yoga in the park. Janelle Cardoso, who is the program coordinator for the Newman Family Resource Center, described the Center’s work as “a little bit of everything.”
One service the NFRC offers is support in applying for and staying on programs like CalFresh, Medical, and CashAid. NFRC staff work with community members to reduce any stigma or fear that might surround these programs as well as overcome physical barriers like access to technology. For Cardoso the NFRC is all about “helping people get unstuck.”
Following that sentiment, The Center also offers utility assistance for community members behind on their bills. Cardoso mentioned this program as one of the most fulfilling that the NFRC provides. A pledge from the NFRC means a household that has been without water, gas, or electricity can receive relief. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the NFRC made $45,000 worth of pledges towards community members’ utility bills.
The Center also has a food pantry and has given out approximately 94,000 pounds of food to Newman community members in the past year. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the NFRC served 656 households which is approximately 1,432 people.
Alongside basic needs support, the NFRC offers an array of free classes for community members of all ages. The classes include Dance Exercise and Yoga, which are held in Pioneer Park, as well as classes for pregnant women and new parents, school readiness for children ages 4 to 5 and Intensive Outpatient Treatment for adults. For Cardoso these classes are a “judgment free, happy kind of community” that provide “the time and space for people to come together and support each other and learn about physical health but also mental wellness, family wellness and making it okay to talk and support one another.”
The NFRC doesn’t work alone to support Newman residents. The community pillars of Newman meet on a monthly basis to coordinate their community support. “The library is there and we are there, and the school district is there, and the after school program, and some of the churches, and the theater, and the art club, and we all get together and we keep each other up to date with what’s going on. We help each other out,” Cardoso said with pride. “We have such great partners in this community.”
Cardoso has worked for the Center for Human Services for 18 years. The NFRC is a branch of the Center for Human Services, which is an umbrella organization that serves communities in Stanislaus County. Cardoso began her career with the Center for Human Services in their Youth Services Department as a Student Assistant Specialist working in Stanislaus County Schools and in 2015 transferred to her current position at the Newman Family Resource Center. Cardoso was born and raised in Newman. “I’m doing this work in my own community, so you kind of have that extra passion to really make an impact,” said Cardoso, “and my staff, they’re almost all either local or live somewhere here in the west side area.”
When asked about any proudest moments from her time at the Center Cardoso said “Just all the time. The work that we do, it’s feel-good work.” For Cardoso, one of the best parts of her job is when she gets to go out into the community for events. “It is just nice to physically go out into the community and celebrate and be reminded of how lucky we are to live in a community like this.”
As a non-profit, the services the Newman Family Resource Center provides are funded entirely by grants and donations. On Sept. 26, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. the Center for Human Services will be hosting their 38th Edible Extravaganza fundraiser at the Modesto Centre Plaza, which offers food, drink, live music and an opportunity to support the Family Resource Centers of Stanislaus County.
A champagne reception will be held in the courtyard for sponsors and VIP ticket holders from 5 to 6 p.m. with music provided by Weston Perry. During that hour, VIP Admission guests get to sample the food and drinks on the main floor before anyone else. Plus, they have access to two exclusive lounges throughout the evening with special dishes and drinks only available to them, as well as an exclusive musical performance by Scotch Beck.
The doors to the main event will open to the public at 6 p.m. with live music provided by Center for Human Services’ own Jordan Waters and his band Horizon Point. All guests will get to enjoy samplings of signature dishes and drinks created by dozens of the area’s best restaurants and beverage purveyors including our longtime favorites like Mobile Mixologist, Skewers Kabob House, Save Mart and many more! Edible Extravaganza will also feature Sanctuary Pizza, Blaker Brewing, Vitality Bowls, The Parched Goat and more. New, this year, a chef demonstration will be happening on the main floor with Chef Nick of Ripon Social. In addition, local band Radio Groove will perform live music in the courtyard from 7 to 9 p.m.
Tickets are $65 in advance and $75. VIP tickets are $120. All tickets are now on sale at www.edibleextravaganza.com.
