Family Care Center Cancels Open House

An open house for a family care center in Sun Valley, planned for Friday, has been canceled because the center failed to get an anticipated state grant earlier this month.

Organizers had been planning to hold the open house at the East Valley Family Care Center regardless of whether they got the grant, but the emotional impact of losing funding was stronger than anticipated.

“We’re going to have to wait until we have something to celebrate,” said Ann Britt, chairwoman of the center’s board. “The emotions are so low right now.”

The $400,000 grant would have been used to renovate two bungalows at Glenwood, turning them into medical clinics for immunizations, screenings and referrals, and to also create a parenting center.

Without the money from the state Department of Education, the center will seek funding through private donations. “We’re definitely moving ahead with this,” Britt said.

The center had received a $50,000 planning grant from the state last year, and with volunteer help and the support of local agencies such as United Way, North Hollywood Rotary Club and Valley Community Clinic, had expanded the center. Counseling sessions were started and a dental chair was donated to the center from the Rotary, although a dental clinic has not been started yet. It began as a program for Glenwood Elementary parents two years ago.

The open house will be delayed until about October, when organizers expect to get the free dental clinic operating.