Balcken Shares Journey to CFRC

My journey to the Children & Family Resource Center (CFRC) began long before I ever knew the organization existed.

Twenty-one years ago, after the birth of my first child, I struggled deeply in the postpartum period. The transition into motherhood was far more challenging than I had anticipated. With no family nearby and very little idea of what we were doing caring for a newborn, my husband and I felt overwhelmed and alone. Ironically, many of my closest friends were “helpers” — teachers, counselors, nurses, and social workers. Yet none of us seemed to know where to turn for support, and few of us felt comfortable asking for it. I eventually realized that sometimes the helpers have the hardest time seeking help for themselves.

That experience set me on the path to becoming a postpartum doula. In a society where extended family is not always close enough to support new parents, a postpartum doula can step in as a surrogate source of care. My motto became: better to have a postpartum plan in place and not need it, than to desperately need support and have no plan at all. As a doula, I folded laundry, prepared healthy meals, held babies so parents could shower or nap, and helped families adjust as they grew from a family of 2 to a family of 3 or more.  I helped with sibling integration and infant feeding, but also, and probably most importantly, I was able to lend a listening ear.  I validated emotions and normalized the realities of parenthood — that parenting is hard, it is not always glamorous, and yes, sleep deprivation is real.

While working with families, I began researching parenting education programs — supposedly for my clients, not for myself. That search led me to the Incredible Years parenting class. I asked if I could audit a single session. One class quickly turned into all fourteen weeks, an experience I remain deeply grateful for.  Incredible Years, like all of the parenting programs offered at CFRC, is rooted in positive discipline, clear expectations, quality connection, offering choices, and recognizing positive behavior. These ideas may sound like common sense, but applying them consistently in real life is not always easy.

Many years later, I welcomed my third child. With the cost of childcare for two children being out of reach, I made the difficult but necessary decision to pause my career and stay home. I had just earned my master’s degree, making that choice especially hard. While I was grateful for time with my children, stepping away from a profession I loved was painful.  I now understand that I am not alone in that feeling. Nearly one in four parents report leaving or changing jobs due to lack of access to affordable, quality childcare.

In April of 2014, CFRC finally entered my life. The organization was hiring a part-time Adolescent Parenting Program Coordinator. The hours made childcare possible, and the role combined two passions of mine: working with pregnant people and supporting teens. It truly felt like the perfect fit.

Nearly twelve years later, my time at CFRC has only confirmed what I have always known — that parenting is hard, and everyone needs support, regardless of resources or experience. That belief is why I am so proud of the programs that CFRC provides. Through Circle of Parents, families find a non-judgmental space to share and feel less isolated. Incredible Years, Circle of Security, and Triple P offer evidence-based practices that have served me well in my relationships, not only with my children, but with other adults as well. Parents Matter taught me how to have meaningful, honest, and tough conversations with my children — to talk so they will listen and to listen so they will talk. Today, with children aged 21, 17, and 13, one-on-one time with mom is still a safe space for hard questions and open conversations. These skills did not come naturally to me; they were learned through the incredible educators and staff at CFRC.

I do not claim to be a parenting expert. I have had plenty of parenting missteps. But I try to give myself grace, operate on a foundation of honesty and mutual respect, apologize when appropriate, and lead, always, with love. These are the same principles I hope to bring to my role as Executive Director of CFRC.

I suspect it was not my familiarity with spreadsheets, bylaws, or budget revisions that resonated most with the interview committee. Rather, I believe it was my deep, unwavering belief in CFRC’s mission, its programs, and the team delivering them every day.The work happening at CFRC changes lives — sometimes in small but meaningful ways, and sometimes in profound, lasting ones. In every case, we are planting seeds that strengthen families, build community, and support the next generation.