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Roberts Family Development Center
EMPOWERING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FOR SUCCESS
Roberts Family Development Center , established in 2001 by Derrell and Tina Roberts , provides services to students and families throughout the Sacramento area . RFDC takes a holistic approach , focusing on K-12 academic support and enrichment , parent education and engagement , and community involvement and advocacy . “ We started small with a big dream ,” says CEO Derrell Roberts . “ Our first year , we served 13 students . Now , each year , we provide wrap-around services for more than 800 students , their families and their communities . We focus on serving economically challenged families of color , providing high-quality service to them and
their children .” RFDC provides education services , community support services and family services in high-risk Sacramento neighborhoods . RFDC provides expanded learning programs on five school campuses , at their main center off Del Paso Boulevard and as a sponsor of Children ’ s Defense Fund Freedom Schools , a literacy-based summer school initiative that works with three school districts serving approximately 500 students each summer . Within RFDC ’ s community support services are violence intervention strategies , mentoring , restorative justice services and the Black Child Legacy Campaign , a community-driven movement working to reduce the deaths of African American children . RFDC ’ s family services include delivering food to families in need , COVID testing , vaccines , and education in partnership with the California Department of Public Health . In addition , RFDC offers mental health services to the community . “ Tina and I grew up with support systems that nurtured us , so we know families need those services ,” Roberts says . “ People will tell you what they have a need for if you listen — and we strive to listen .”
Many young leaders in key positions in the region came through the doors of RFDC .
PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU WHAT THEY HAVE A NEED FOR IF YOU LISTEN — AND WE STRIVE TO LISTEN .
The organization ’ s successes lie in the thousands of lives they have improved , including students graduating from high school and college and parents successfully engaging in schools and communities to advocate for a better future for themselves and their children . Looking ahead , Roberts says , “ We will continue strengthening our organization so its legacy lasts for years beyond us and strengthening our services so they remain top quality to improve lives and train tomorrow ’ s leaders .”
— DERRELL ROBERTS , CEO
770 Darina Ave , Sacramento , CA 95815 I ( 916 ) 646-6631 www . robertsfdc . org
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November 2021 | comstocksmag . com 7