The Family Place

The Family Place of Transylvania County serves as the county’s comprehensive Family Resource Center, offering both upstream prevention and targeted intervention to help children grow up in safe, stable, and nurturing environments. Through evidence-based programming, the organization addresses the full spectrum of family need — from community connection and early childhood enrichment to coordinated crisis response.

Core programs include Open Play, a drop-in space where caregivers and children can connect with staff and access resources; weekly Playgroups that support early learning and social-emotional development; and Family Mix, a twice-monthly evening gathering that combines a shared meal, facilitated activities, and childcare to reach families who may not be available during daytime hours. In a recent program year, Open Play reached more than 1,100 participants and Playgroups served more than 320 — with Open Play attendance increasing 219% over the prior year.

The Connect program addresses a more acute level of need. In a county where 65% of foster care placements are attributed to neglect, Connect provides coordinated case management and emergency financial assistance — covering housing, utilities, and transportation — to families at high risk of child welfare involvement. In a recent year, Connect served 250 adults in crisis through cross-agency collaboration with nine local partner organizations.

Lake Toxaway Charities is proud to support The Family Place’s programming across these efforts, including staff salaries, program supplies, family engagement costs, and the Connect emergency assistance fund. Partner organizations include the Children’s Center, DSS, SAFE, Cove Shelter, Boys & Girls Club, Transylvania County Schools, Smart Start, the Health Department, and El Centro, among others.