MIDLAND, Texas — The Family Support Center (FSC) for the Midland Independent School District was first launched in 2019. Since then, it's expanded its resources for the MISD community.
In order to keep up with its growth and desired impact, the center needed a larger space to provide resources such as food, hygiene items, clothing, school supplies and more.
As of March 2024, the FSC relocated from the district's administrative building to 1800 E. Wall St. in Midland.
According to the Family Support Center coordinator for MISD, Tasha Stephens, this transition will allow for new resources such as a larger food pantry, clothing and a kitchen that could soon host cooking classes. The FSC aims to become a safe place for families.
The center offers services to district families (families with a student who is enrolled at Midland ISD), employees with the district and students identified as McKinney Vento.
These resources include:
- Access to a food pantry
- Hygiene items
- The Books and Buddies program
- The Jeans for Teens program
- School supplies throughout the year
The verification process is done through signing in upon entrance and responding to questions that demonstrate how someone is associated with the district.
"We just want to make it known that we are here for anybody who may need us no matter what the insecurity or what the situation is even if you just need a safe place here," Stephens said. "We have different resources so we aren't just a food pantry, we are the wraparound service that fills in the gap that the district does need."
If the center cannot provide a resource, it works with other agencies in order to help fill a gap. This includes housing assistance, Medicare assistance and so on.
The FSC is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12p.m. Families and individuals can also reach out to the center to set up a private appointment to access the resources.
The center is open year-round, including after the school year ends.