CULLMAN, Ala. – The Link of Cullman County will celebrate its accreditation and membership in the Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers on Sept. 25, at 10 a.m. at 708 Ninth St. SE, Cullman.
Executive Director Melissa Betts said having the Family Resource Center is a first for The Link.
“We have been serving Cullman County since 2013, but over the past year we have been intentionally working toward becoming an accredited Family Resource Center and joining the Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers,” Betts said. “The Family Resource Center movement in Alabama has a much longer history. Marsha Folsom helped establish Alabama’s first Family Resource Center in the 1990s while her husband, Jim Folsom Jr., was governor. She recognized that families across Alabama needed places where they could access coordinated resources and support through trusted organizations in their own communities.”
Betts said this is an important milestone for The Link because becoming an accredited Family Resource Center validates the comprehensive, family-centered work they’ve been doing in Cullman County.
“Families rarely experience needs in isolation,” she said. “A family that comes to us needing food may also be struggling with housing, employment, parenting, education or recovery. The Family Resource Center model allows us to look at the whole family, connect them with the right resources and help them move from an immediate crisis toward long-term stability.”
There are currently 26 Family Resource Centers across Alabama, Betts said.
“The Link will become the 27th, with several additional centers expected to join the network before the end of 2026,” she explained. “We are very proud for Cullman County to be part of this growing statewide network. We want this to be both a celebration and an opportunity for our community to better understand what becoming a Family Resource Center means for Cullman County. Representatives from the Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers will join us, along with community leaders, partners, supporter staff and volunteers.”
Most importantly, Betts said, The Link wants participants to see how the many services offered through nonprofit work together.
“Our goal isn’t simply to address one immediate need,” she said. “We want families to have a place where they can build connections, find stability, strengthen their families and discover opportunities for long-term growth. For me, this accreditation is really about what comes next. The Link has grown tremendously since it was founded in 2013, and becoming an accredited Family Resource Center gives us a strong framework for the next chapter. We believe strong communities begin with strong families. Our vision is to see strong families growing and leading in the region for generations to come. Becoming Alabama’s 27th Family Resource Center is another important step toward making that vision a reality.”
Betts said they would love for community members, partners and supporters to join them on Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. to celebrate this milestone.
“Beyond the event, there are many ways to be involved with The Link throughout the year,” she said. “People can volunteer, donate, partner with us, support our programs or simply help connect individuals and families who need assistance with our services.”
Find out more about The Link at https://linkingcullman.org. It’s located at 708 Ninth St. SE, Cullman.
