📚 FCCA Pre-K Counts Literacy Night

The Family, Children & Community Association (FCCA) is hosting a Pre-K Counts Literacy Night on March 26 from 4:30–6:30 PM at Lew Davies (1034 Park Ave, Meadville).

This free, public event is designed for young children and families. Dress in animal print and enjoy storytelling, activities, snacks, and giveaways — all centered around early literacy.

👉 RSVP here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrkivaANsTX-GVtY29ptnO87jRVFA9rB_QLFJj4PfYwVbC_Q/viewform

👶 Community Baby Shower

On March 31 from 2–4 PM, FCCA is hosting a Community Baby Shower at 378 Chestnut Street, Meadville in collaboration with Pennsylvania WIC and community partners.

This event is open to pregnant mothers and families with children up to age 3. Attendees will have access to:

• Community resources

• Light refreshments

• Gift giveaways and raffles

For more information or to register, call 814-337-4279.

🧠 Greatly Developed Program (Ages 18–24)

Also beginning March 31, FCCA & Family Matters are launching a 6-week program focused on young adults ages 18–24.

Participants will gain:

• Job readiness skills

• Resume writing support

• Business interaction experience

• Field trips and more

📍 Location: FCCA, 378 Chestnut St, Meadville
🕙 Meeting times: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 AM–12 PM
📞 Contact: Jackie Roberson, 814-337-4279 (Ext. 110)

Volunteer Hours Update

As of January 25, 2026 (12:39 PM), Crawford Connects has recorded:

➡️ 6 volunteer hours for 2026

It may not seem like a big number yet — but every hour represents someone choosing to show up. That’s how this builds.

Why This Matters

None of these events happen by accident.

They happen because people care enough to organize, to invite, and to create space for others. Crawford Connects is simply here to make sure more people know — and more people can take part.

Because in the end, a strong community isn’t built all at once.

It’s built one event, one hour, one connection at a time.

I wanted to take a moment to check in and keep the door wide open.

We didn’t collect any new data or submissions this week — and that’s okay. Projects like this aren’t built in a straight line. They grow when people see themselves in it and decide to lean in.

That’s where you come in.

If you’re hosting an event, know of one coming up, or work with a group that should be on the calendar, please share it with us. If you know someone who cares about connecting people, strengthening community, or simply making it easier to know what’s happening and how to help — send them our way.

This effort works best when it’s shared. One event. One introduction. One conversation at a time.

Thanks for being part of this, even in the quieter weeks. Those are often the ones that matter most.

With appreciation,
Jim Malliard

Crawford Connects

This week is all about early learning, strong starts, and staying connected as a community.

🎒 Kindergarten Registration Is Underway

Crawford Central School District Kindergarten Registration continues with in-person registration and screenings at each elementary school:

• March 12 – West End Elementary

• March 18 – First District Elementary

• March 25 – Neason Hill Elementary

• April 15 – Second District Elementary

• May 6 – Cochranton Elementary

🕢 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM at each school
👧🧒 Please bring your child for screening

📅 May 12 – Welcome to Kindergarten Event
A great district-wide opportunity for families to meet staff, ask questions, and feel confident heading into the school year.

📞 Registration Office: 814-724-3125
🌐 www.craw.org

📖 Community Spotlight: FCCA Pre-K Counts Literacy Night

Mark your calendars for a fun, family-friendly evening focused on early literacy:

📅 March 26, 2026
📍 Lew Davies Community Center
1034 Park Ave, Meadville, PA 16335

🎉 Open to the public and designed for young children and families
🐾 Dress in your favorite animal print
📚 Storytelling, activities, snacks, and giveaways
💲 Free event

📋 Sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrkivaANsTX-GVtY29ptnO87jRVFA9rB_QLFJj4PfYwVbC_Q/viewform

📞 Questions? 814-337-4279 ext. 103
📧 tconley@fccafamily.com

Hosted by Family and Community Christian Association (FCCA) Pre-K Counts

🔁 Please Share

If you know families with young children, share this update. Registration dates and early literacy events are easy to miss—and word of mouth still matters.

🤝 Community Engagement Update

• Volunteer Hours Goal for 2026: 8 hours

• Current Subscribers: 9 🎉

Sharing events, helping families stay informed, and showing up for community programs all count toward meaningful engagement. This is how small efforts add up to something lasting.

Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They’re built one shared post, one event, and one family at a time.

— Jim

Community Spotlight: FCCA Pre-K Counts Literacy Night

The Family, Children & Community Association (FCCA) is hosting a Pre-K Counts Literacy Night for families with young children on March 26, 2026, from 4:30–6:30 PM at Lew Davies (1034 Park Ave, Meadville).

This free, public event invites families to dress in animal print and enjoy an evening of storytelling, activities, snacks, and giveaways — all centered on early literacy in a fun, welcoming environment.

👉 RSVP here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrkivaANsTX-GVtY29ptnO87jRVFA9rB_QLFJj4PfYwVbC_Q/viewform

For more information, contact Tiffany at 814-337-4279 (Ext. 103) or tconley@fccafamily.com.

Volunteer Hours Update

As of January 25, 2026 (12:39 PM), 6 volunteer hours have been recorded toward 2026 community engagement. Tracking these hours helps recognize the time and energy families and organizations continue to invest in our community.

Crawford County Volunteer Fair

January 20, 2026

Jackie

Family, Children & Community Association (FCCA), in partnership with the Crawford County Community Council

The Crawford County Community Council and the Family, Children & Community Association (FCCA) are hosting a Volunteer Fair to connect community members with local agencies and organizations seeking volunteers. Representatives will be available to share opportunities such as reading to children, delivering meals, assisting the elderly, and packing food boxes. Whether you have a few hours a week or can help occasionally, your efforts matter.

Refreshments will be provided. Door prizes and agency baskets will be given away. Coats, hats, mittens, and children’s items will be available at no charge. Monetary donations and non-perishable food items will also be accepted to help ease food insecurity in our community.

info@fccafamily.com

(814) 337-4279

Free

Crawford Connects exists for a simple reason:
communities work better when people can find each other.

Across Crawford County, there are always people willing to help, events worth attending, and needs that don’t always make the headlines. Too often, that information is scattered across flyers, Facebook posts, bulletin boards, and word of mouth.

Crawford Connects was created to bring those pieces together — quietly, consistently, and in one place.

What Crawford Connects Is

Crawford Connects is a free community resource supported by the Family & Community Christian Association (FCCA).

It focuses on three core things:

• Sharing a community calendar of local events

• Connecting volunteers with one-time and ongoing needs

• Recognizing service through volunteer hour tracking

There is no cost to participate.
No membership required.
No agenda beyond community connection.

Why This Matters

This project has roots going back several years.

In 2019, local leaders worked to preserve volunteer opportunities in Crawford County when changes elsewhere threatened to reduce how community service was recognized. A locally supported model was built — one that valued real service, not just what fit inside a checklist.

Then the world changed.

COVID disrupted nearly everything. Programs paused. People isolated. Leadership was lost. Some good work simply stopped — not because it wasn’t important, but because survival took priority.

The need, however, never disappeared.

Crawford Connects is a continuation of that earlier effort — rebuilt with the benefit of hindsight and a renewed focus on simplicity, trust, and sustainability.

How This Works

Crawford Connects is intentionally simple:

• Volunteer hours are self-reported on the honor system

• Submissions and requests are reviewed before being shared

• The platform acts as a connector, not a service provider

• No data is sold, and no one is charged to participate

The goal is not to manage the community — only to help it connect.

The Weekly Newsletter

The heart of Crawford Connects is the weekly email.

Each week, subscribers receive:

• Highlights from the community calendar

• Current one-time volunteer needs

• Ongoing volunteer opportunities

• A snapshot of community service activity

If you want to stay informed without digging through multiple sources, the newsletter is the easiest way to do that.

👉 Subscribe to the Crawford Connects Weekly Newsletter

One email a week.
No spam.
Just community information.

How You Can Participate

You don’t need to do everything. Even small actions matter.

• Log volunteer hours when you give time

• Submit an event to the community calendar

• Request help or share a volunteer opportunity

• Share the newsletter with someone who might benefit

A lot of small actions add up to meaningful results.

A Final Word

Crawford Connects isn’t here to be loud.

It’s here to be useful, trustworthy, and available when needed.

That’s the commitment — and that’s why this will remain pinned.