If you’ve ever visited the Cowtown Farmers Market on a Saturday morning, you’ve likely met Charlie Blaylock. Charlie runs Shine’s Farmstand, a local biointensive micro-farm that uses sustainable and organic techniques to grow fresh local fruit and vegetables year ‘round. In addition to running his farm (since 2013), he’s also the Cowtown Farmers Market manager and an activitist in the local food environment, serving on the board of the Tarrant County Food Policy Council. This week at Shine’s booth you can find salad mix, radishes, turnips, red and gold beets, rainbow chard, soap made by his wife Laura, and – if you are really lucky and an early riser – eggs! You can also find Shine’s produce at Ellerbe Fine Foods.
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of abuse and neglect is only part of ACH’s mission. The 105-year-old nonprofit runs numerous programs that work to prevent the types of family disruptions and conflicts that lead to child abuse and neglect. One such program, the Family Emergency Fund, was created last March in direct response to COVID-19. The pot of money is reserved for families who are at risk for domestic or child abuse due to financial stressors. “If we have someone call in and say, ‘I’ve lost my job, rent is due, and I can’t go on,’ we know that type of situation can lead to evictions and other stressors,” Burton said. Burton said his nonprofit has seen a slight uptick in the number of youths coming into OCOK’s care — 1,277 in February, 1,288 in March, 1,338 in April, and 1,323 so far in May — but not quite the surge that one would expect during a sharp economic downtown. There are several possible reasons for this, he continued. Public school teachers are often one of the first groups to notice and report potential worrisome behavior. With school campuses closed, teachers are unable to fulfill this unofficial but important role. Burton also said that, with children being indoors, there are fewer eyes (neighbors, relatives, friends) who can see and report potential neglect and abuse. ACH isn’t waiting for an explanation. The nonprofit has partnered with area agencies and fellow nonprofits to spread the word about free resources that are available to parents and children who are experiencing hardships. Team members from ACH’s bilingual Assessment, Intervention, and Referral Services (AIRS) are available 24/7 via 817335-4673 to provide parents with referrals to ACH and outside community services. The same number can be used to access free bilingual youth and family counseling for children ages 6 to 17 through a program called Real Help for Real Life. Fort Worth is seeing unprecedented levels of need at a time when many charities are experiencing a drop in donations. ACH staffers are encouraging local restaurants to participate in Texas’ Comfort Food Care Package (CFCP). The voluntary program allows patrons to purchase meals for families and youths in need during orderout transactions. Foster children across Tarrant County and in ACH’s youth emergency shelter are homebound, with limited options for activities outside the house. Burton said his nonprofit is accepting new, unopened board games and activities like sidewalk chalk that can be donated, along with much-needed cash contributions, at Achservices.org/donate-now. ACH, Burton said, continues to adapt its programming to serve the Fort Worth community during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The nonprofit is focused on reaching families who may not realize that there are many free services for overstretched and financially struggling families. “There is a lot of stress out there,” Burton said. “If these parents are thinking of lashing out at their children, we want to tell them, ‘You don’t have to do that.’ ” l
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