Letter from the Board Chair & President/CEO

2024 was a year of change at Family & Children’s Place. Not only have we gotten the chance to celebrate the accomplishments and retirement of CEO/President Pam Darnall, we’ve also been able to celebrate Shana Riggs becoming our new Board Chair. 

In 2018, after Shana’s youngest child moved away to college, she was looking for an opportunity to give back to our community and the children in it. After learning more about the FCP, meeting with Pam Darnall, and shadowing some of the services we offered, she immediately wanted to join the Board. She has grown to admire the passion and dedication of the staff and other board members, in making FCP a premier agency in the community.  

Last year, Family & Children’s Place celebrated our 140th anniversary in the community, and one of the brightest moments was putting into action a grant we received from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This grant, which was appropriately titled, “Louisville Collaboration to Prevent Child Abuse, Youth and Family Violence” was a partnership between FCP, Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana, Center for Women and Families, and Exploited Children’s Health Organization (ECHO). 

We also celebrated helping so many children and families in need of our services. Thanks to a grant from Mayor Greenberg through the American Rescue Plan, HANDS hosted monthly baby showers for over 200 new and expectant parents. Greater Louisville Head Start was able to offer high quality early educational services to over 420 families and over 470 children. Our Child Advocacy Center helped over1,400 children who walked through our door alleging abuse. Our School-Based Services program helped children and youth to improve their academic and social skills for over 130 students and over 140 families. 

For 30 years, Pam has watched FCP grow into the agency it is today. Her final ask is for you to continue supporting the work FCP does. We see daily the difference we are making in the lives of the children and families we serve. Pam has expressed and will continue to express her complete faith that Shana, our incredible Board who volunteer so much time and effort to ensure children and families we serve receive the best support possible, our staff, and so many more friends and supports will help to continue this critical work. 

Sincerely,  

FCP Board Chair, Shana Riggs
CEO/President, Pam Darnall