Back to Community-Based Organization

Roberts Family Development Center

Investing in the future by opening doors for the community's children
North Sacramento, Sacramento County, CA

Derrell Roberts and his wife Tina co-founded the Roberts Family Development Center (RFDC) in 2001 in the memory of their deceased grandparents, who were "true believers in the principles of family." The Roberts Family Development Center, located in an impoverished Sacramento neighborhood, houses programs that serve more than 100 families. The core belief of the RFDC is “for the family to thrive the individual needs of each member must be met." The center's Web site states, "We provide services designed to address the many issues affecting today's family." In addition to academic tutoring for students, some of the issues addressed by the center include family literacy, English language proficiency, parent education, health education, child care, computer competency, and family counseling.

Three adjacent buildings house the RFDC. A two-story house has been converted into a childcare center. The three upstairs rooms of the house are utilized as office space for program staff. The adjacent multi-purpose center serves as the location for after-school programs, arts and crafts, summer recreation program, adult classes, and a special activity area. The Annex houses a 20-station Computer Café.

Typical families served by the RFDC are residents living within walking distance of the facility. It is an ethnically diverse community and the area is considered economically challenged. The center targets families with children facing challenges in the local elementary schools and families who express a desire to improve their existing circumstances, but are unsure what to do. The RFDC works with parents and children together, using literacy as a way to improve parenting skills and family communication. Services are provided on site and enhance and complement existing services and programs within the community.

The center also provides math tutoring at satellite sites in neighboring school districts. Parents say that in addition to academic assistance, their children get encouragement and leadership skills through programs run by the center.

Although more than 4,000 youth under the age of 17 live in the area surrounding the RFDC, there are few available services outside of school for neighborhood youth; so the RFDC provides summer, after-school, and Saturday recreation for youth, working with the local schools to identify students not already in school-based programs.

Derrell and Tina Roberts say the center is their shared mission. "Whatever neighborhood you're in, that's where you should give service," says Derrell.

The goal of the center is simple—to unlock the future through education—and it's working. Tina and Derrell see the kids served by their center graduating from high school and going to college. "They're honor students. They're student body presidents," remarks Derrell.

His wife Tina adds, "One day, there will be kids who started off here who come back as director and program administrator here."

Parents with children at the center say that children start getting the message about the importance of going to college very early at the RFDC. First graders go home and tell their parents that they are going to college when they are old enough. The center actually schedules field trips for older children to college campuses, including Stanford, U.C. Berkeley, U.C. Davis, and California State University, Sacramento.

The center is helping children fulfill their dreams and live up to their potential. Tina says that they started the center with little money and a lot of faith. "When people ask, 'Why do you do this?' I respond that I'm investing in my future. I'm serious about that."

For more information, contact the Roberts Family Development Center at robertsfdc@aol.com.