Family Support
Family Stabilization & Skill Building (FSB) Program
For over forty years, our community has trusted MLKFS as a safe, welcoming home for families to grow, heal and thrive.
This program offers support to families in keeping their children safely at home and in the community by advocating for the well-being and rights of all children. Parents are provided with opportunities to develop and improve parenting skills and learn money management and incoming maximizing skills.
We walk alongside families as they navigate parenting, growth, and life’s challenges.
We are here for you.
Who we typically serve:
- Households seeking support with parenting skills or family communication
- Youth struggling with behavioral or emotional challenges
- Families experiencing housing instability
- Families needing help connecting to community resources
- Families engaged with community service agencies
Services we provide:
- Offer assistance & support to families in keeping their children safely at home and in the community
- Provide opportunities for parents to develop & improve parenting skills
- Assist in addressing the health, nutrition, & safety needs of the family & children
- Develop a plan to assist parents in achieving service goals & to meet the family’s needs
- Work with individuals on budgeting, money management & maximizing their incomes.
- Advocate for the well-being and rights of all children and families
Now Offering Clinical Support Options
How we support families:
- Coordinate with service providers to ensure timely access to care
- Help families navigate and overcome barriers that may hinder progress
- Connect households directly to resources that promote stability and well‑being
- Assess immediate needs related to food, housing, healthcare, and financial security
During the transition to discharge, FSB Case Managers partner with families to identify lasting mental health and community supports.
Community-Centered Enrichment
As a program of MLKFS, our families served have access to our programs that nurture the whole household including:
- Emergency Food Pantry & Wellness Supports
- After‑School & Literacy Programs
- Youth Development & Night Spot
- Strong African American Families (SAAF) – A 7-session, evidence-based intervention designed to strengthen family relationships and prevent risky behaviors among African American youth aged 10–14 and their caregivers.
- HBCU Tour Experience
- Clemente Program
Referrals received from The Department of Children and Families (DCF)
For support or inquiries please connect with:
Patricia Brown, FSB Program Manager
A Father Finds Stability and Hope for His Daughter
A 50-year-old area father was raising his 14-year-old daughter after the loss of her mother. He was working part time but struggled to keep up with heating and electric bills during the winter months. When his heat was shut off in January, he reached out for support. MLKJR Family Stabilization & Skill Building assisted him in applying for fuel assistance and negotiated with the utility company to restore service under a payment plan. We also connected him with a local community action agency to access emergency funds that covered a portion of his arrears. His daughter had been experiencing declining grades and behavioral concerns at school. Our staff coordinated with her school counselor and helped the family enroll in an after school tutoring program. We provided referrals to youth mentoring services and connected the daughter to a local recreation center to encourage positive peer engagement. The father participated in parenting support sessions focused on communication with teens and navigating grief. Over several months, the daughter’s attendance and academic performance improved. The family was able to stabilize their utilities and maintain consistent housing. The father reports feeling more confident in advocating for his daughter’s educational needs and has since secured full time employment. (Stock photo.)
A Grandmother Builds a Safe, Loving Home
A 42-year-old grandmother in a local neighborhood assumed guardianship of her two young grandchildren due to parental substance use concerns. She was on a fixed income and overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility. MLKJR Family Stabilization & Skill Building assisted her in applying for kinship caregiver benefits and SNAP for the children. We helped her navigate the school enrollment process and ensured both children received updated physicals and immunizations. The family home required minor repairs, and we connected her with a local volunteer organization that assisted with safety modifications. She participated in stress management and self-care workshops offered through our program. We also referred her to a support group for grandparents raising grandchildren in Hampden County. Through coordinated advocacy, the children were connected to counseling services to address trauma related to family instability. The grandmother learned strategies for establishing routines and positive discipline. Over time, the children’s behavior improved and their teachers reported better classroom engagement. The grandmother reports feeling less isolated and more empowered in her caregiving role. She continues to access community resources and has built a strong support network. (Stock photo.) 
A Young Woman Reclaims Her Life and Future
A 27-year-old single local woman was referred following her discharge from a residential treatment program. She was determined to maintain her sobriety but lacked stable employment and independent living skills. MLKJR Family Stabilization & Skill Building assisted her with securing a safe apartment through a transitional housing program in Springfield. We provided weekly life skills coaching focused on budgeting, meal planning, and time management. She was connected to a local recovery support group and peer mentor to strengthen her sober network. Our team helped her apply for MassHealth benefits and access primary care services. She enrolled in a job readiness workshop where she received assistance building her resume and practicing interview skills. Within three months, she secured part time employment at a retail store downtown. We continued to provide accountability check ins and supported her in setting long term goals. She has remained sober for over a year and recently began taking classes at Springfield Technical Community College to pursue a certificate in human services. She now volunteers at a community food pantry and speaks openly about her recovery journey. She credits the consistent support and structured skill building sessions for helping her rebuild her independence. (Stock photo.)
A Mother’s Strength Sparks a New Beginning
A 35-year-old mother of three living in a local was referred to MLKJR Family Stabilization & Skill Building after falling behind on rent and utilities due to reduced hours at work. When she first connected with services, her refrigerator was nearly empty, and she was relying on neighbors for meals. Our team coordinated weekly pantry deliveries. We also assisted her with completing an updated SNAP application and provided budgeting education to help her stretch limited resources. Through workforce development referrals, she enrolled in a certified nursing assistant training program offered locally. While in training, we helped secure childcare vouchers so she could attend consistently. We worked closely with her landlord to prevent eviction and connected her to a rental assistance program that covered two months of arrears. She successfully completed the CNA program and obtained employment at a long-term care facility in the area. After six months of steady employment, she was able to maintain her rent independently and begin rebuilding her credit. She is now participating in a first-time homebuyer education program through a Springfield housing agency. Her children’s school attendance has improved, and she reports feeling more stable and hopeful. (Stock photo.)