News & Events

Morris County Family Success Center Connects Dover Families

Personal trainer and Community Advisory Board member Humberto Castrillon facilitates a Fitness Workshop at the MCFSC.

In 2012, the Partnership established the Morris County Family Success Center in Dover with support from the New Jersey Department of  Children and Families.  The goal of the center is to create a place for family activities, parental support, health coaching, and community resources.  The center is a thriving community organizing engaging over 500 families and nearly 200 volunteers.  Activities at the center are designed to empower and encourage families to connect with each other, and include English as a Second Language, healthy cooking classes, homework help for kids, and various parent-child events.  All programs are voluntary and free.

“The Family Success Center provides a safe space for support, referrals, and connections to families who may face the same struggles. We welcome all people. We’ve also become a hub for services in the Greater Dover area and are able to work with other community providers and government agencies to provide the best possible service,” shared Carlos Caprioli, Program Manager at the MCFSC.

Prepare to break a sweat! Every week, this welcoming neighborhood gathering place hosts Zumba classes, hip-hop classes, and fitness workshops for local families with a focus on increasing physical activity and improving overall health. It’s all part of Shaping Dover – a community health initiative of the Partnership run out of the MCFSC

One of Shaping Dover’s most successful activities is its free farmers market. Every month, over 500 families in Morris County have the opportunity to shop for free, fresh produce at varying local establishments. In partnership with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and other organizations, the farmers market provides seasonal fruits and vegetables to Dover families who have been referred to the program from the MCFSC and other collaborating agencies. The success of the event is in no small part due to the tireless efforts of the over 170 volunteers who generously donate their time each month to ensure the farmers market runs smoothly.

The date for Shaping Dover’s next Free Farmers Market is Thursday, February 6 at Casa Puerto Rico in Dover. Please call the MCFSC at 973-620-9711 for more information on how to participate in the program, and click here for more details on the Family Success Center. You can also learn more about Shaping Dover’s upcoming activities by joining us on Facebook.