The Times Observer will support the United Fund of Warren County's Torchlight Campaign this fall by publishing articles about each of the United Fund's member social service agencies. Today: the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center and Caring for Life.

After 96 years the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, a United Fund agency, is still going strong offering programs to the community. The JD Family Center offers child care services, wellness classes, a Fitness Center, meeting rooms and community service projects, all from it's downtown location at 207 Second Ave.

Providing families with quality early learning programs is a priority for the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center. The facility, awarded a Pennsylvania Keystone STAR 3 ranking, operates classrooms for children ages 2 through 12 which include full day care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, PA Pre-K Counts, before and after school care, no school day care and summer programs. Convenient hours, 6:45am 5:30pm, downtown location and affordable care allow families to meet their child care needs while children learn and grow in a safe, educational and supportive atmosphere.

School age programs, for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, are held in Beaty Middle School and Russell Elementary School. Transportation for students at South Street Early Learning Center, Allegheny Valley and Warren Area Elementary Center is provided by the Warren County School District to Beaty Middle School. Staff greets children at bus drop off and escorts them to their classroom. Both programs offer snack, homework assistance, and teacher led activities, along with indoor and outdoor recess.

The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program trains volunteers, who are then appointed by a judge to investigate all resources connected with the safety and well-being of a child who is under court appointed protective custody. CASA volunteers work solely as an advocate for the child and work with the child until a safe and permanent home is established.

Staying healthy is easy with JD Family Center's classes and Fitness Center. Low impact aerobics and yoga are a few of the class offerings. The Fitness Center equipment includes a cable machine, elliptical machine, treadmills, exercise and recumbent bikes, free and hand weights. Susan Toombs, a certified trainer offers personalized exercise programs, equipment training and nutritional tips to help you with your fitness goals. As part of the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center's commitment to the community, meeting rooms are provided to non-profit groups at a minimal charge. The Zonta Club, Kiwanis, Alcoholic Anonymous and Jaycees are a few of the groups utilizing the JD's meeting rooms. The JD Center has large and small rooms, kitchen facilities and is handicap accessible.

Community service projects include the Resource Directory which contains information about housing, employment, health, support groups and more, an on-line version of the directory which can be found at www.AskTheJD.com and Project Kidsafe. This program provides free fingerprinting and photo identification packets to children age 6 months and older.

To learn more about the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, call or stop by 207 Second Avenue, 723-6350 or visit on-line at www.jdfamilycenter.org.