PACT earns state recognition, grant, planning new facility

By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
A Morgan County community outreach organization is working hard to improve its resources and presence in the community through state support and non-profit organization funding.
PACT (Parents And Children Together) recently acquired full membership status with the Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers.
According the PACT Executive Director Tiki Hubbard, the affiliation with the state agency has a multitude of benefits.
"Being a member of the Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers will help PACT strive to achieve a certain level of standards," Hubbard explained. "The agency is a great support network that will help us to enhance the quality of services already offered and seek additional funding and services. Membership will also help PACT to maintain its commitment to a high level of integrity."
As PACT assumes its new identity as a state family resource center, it will also assume a new physical appearance. The organization is expected to relocate July 1 from its current location on 8th Avenue in Decatur to the new Community Free Clinic of Decatur-Morgan County, located at Gordon Drive and Fourth Avenue SE.
"PACT and the Community Free Clinic will make a great partnership," PACT Special Projects Manager Beth Tutwiler said. "With 10,000 square-feet of space designed for maximum efficiency, we will be able to expand services and availability of services to the community. The clinic and family resource center together is just a great fit."
Another partnership has emerged for PACT through a $20,000 March of Dimes grant to raise community awareness and education regarding birth defects, sexually transmitted diseases, teenage sex, abstinence, substance abuse during pregnancy, and much more.
"PACT will distribute this information, published in both English and Spanish, at the Community Free Clinic, in doctor's offices, in newborn packages at Decatur General Hospital, at health fairs and on billboards across the county," Tutwiler explained. "PACT partners with, not duplicates, services to make things happen. We are just glad to have this opportunity to get the word out about these important issues to everyone in the community."
For more information on the PACT Family Resource Center and its service, call 355-7252.
Partners aid in fight against child abuse
PACT (Parents And Children Together) of Morgan County is teaming with businesses and community organizations across the area to recognize April as National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
PACT is asking the community to patronize the following Morgan County's Blue Ribbon Businesses April 19-30. The blue ribbons symbolize the protection of children against abuse. A portion of the proceeds will go to help prevent child abuse in Morgan County. For every $1 spent on prevention, $9.60 is saved in treatment.
Participating Blue Ribbon businesses are: Allegra Print &Imaging, Avanti Computers, Bank Street Antique Mall, Bank Street Uniques &Candy Bouquet, Baron's, Behind the Glass, Bendall's Pharmacy, Carriage House, Changes Salon, Chel'Den's, Cricket by The Creek, Crump Camera, Etc by Ross, Frankie's, French Connection, Furniture &Fabric Source, Garlic Press, Glee Interiors, Grand Bazaar, Heritage House Antiques, Holladay Antiques, Jimmy Smith Jewelers, Joe Roberts Store, Kama Salon, Kid Doodles, Lady Lynn's Consignment Boutique, Light House, Lighting Impressions, Longaberger Baskets, Mailboxes, Etc., Mel Taylor Salon, Morgan Price Candy, Nu Image Engraving, Office Furniture Outlet, Paper Chase, Party Central, Payless Pharmacy Express, Platinum Mortgage, Play It Again Sports, Preuitt Furniture Village, Sam, Frank &Moore, Show Stoppers, Shumake Furniture, Silkroad Salon &Image Studio, Slate &Son Framing, Something Blue Shoppe, Surprizes Galore, Sykes Antiques, Tammy Eddy, TCB, Variety Furniture Company, Weathervane, Willis Gray Floral Design, Wykers.