An adult man and a young boy sitting at a table, engaged in a drawing or coloring activity. The boy is smiling, and the man is guiding him, with papers, coloring supplies, and a drawing of a smiling face on the table.

Our Mission

The mission of the Uptown Family Enrichment Center is to provide a warm and welcoming place where neighbors can come together, get support, share what they know, and help families in our community thrive.

Everyone is invited to take part in the space and bring their ideas, talents, and hobbies. We don’t ask for donations, but those who want to support the center are always appreciated.

Our Five Protective Factors

  • A cozy seating area with a burnt orange mid-century modern sofa, four armchairs in black and brown, and a small wooden coffee table with magazines and a remote control. The room has light-colored walls and wood laminate flooring.

    Parental Resilience

    Every parent has tough days. Parental resilience means working through those moments while relying on their strengths, relationships, and the support around them.

  • Three children are sitting on the floor, playing a giant Jenga game with large wooden blocks in a room with light blue walls and wood flooring.

    Social Connection

    Supportive relationships help families grow. Social connections come from meaningful and trusting relationships with people and community spaces that give a sense of support and belonging.

  • A young girl with braided hair and colorful beads, wearing a navy blue top, sitting at a table with a red tablecloth, holding a paper pumpkin craft with a happy face, scissors, and craft supplies on the table.

    Knowledge of Parenting, Youth & Child Development

    Understanding how children grow helps parents feel more confident. The FEC promotes caregiving approaches that support each child’s age, culture, and unique experiences as they develop.

  • Round table with eight black chairs arranged around it, set with papers and blue pens, with a brown box or container on top of the table in a meeting or classroom setting.

    Concrete Support

    Getting the right support at the right time can make a big difference for families. Concrete support includes helping parents and youth find, access, and advocate for essential resources, from basic needs to specialized services.

  • Three children sitting on a large pink plush chair, smiling and making peace signs and thumbs up, in a room with white walls, a blue wall, and wooden flooring.

    Social & Emotional Competence of Children

    Helping children build strong social and emotional skills sets them up for success. The FEC creates experiences and environments that support healthy communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and positive relationships for children.

Our Team

  • Joseph Urbina

    DIRECTOR

  • Shenell Edmonds

    FAMILY ADVOCATE

  • Tyrone Spivey Jr.

    FAMILY ADVOCATE

  • Guy Loving

    COMMUNITY LIAISON

  • A professional woman with shoulder-length black hair, wearing a navy blazer, white shirt, and gold hoop earrings, posing against a plain light background.

    Tamara Gayle

    SUPERVISOR OF FEC DIRECTOR

  • Smiling woman with short hair, glasses, septum piercing, wearing a black top, standing against a white background.

    Ayesha Sultana

    QA/QI