It all began in 2005,
in response to the continual rise in child abuse

The Family Nurturing Center was created in 2005 by a passionate group of people in response to the continual rise in child abuse. Mary-Curtis Gramley, along with attorney Susan Harris, lead the way to create the first Children’s Relief Nursery in Jackson County. Others who immediately jumped on board were Doug Mares, Sue Hamilton, Dan Harris, and John Hamilton.

The first board of directors in 2005, were: Billie Arnold, Barbara Carleton, Anne Daugherty, John Hamilton, Sue Hamilton, Mandi Gould, Susan Harris, Anne Hodge, Pam Lucas, Doug Mares, Jodee Scott, Rita Sullivan, and Casey White.

The Junior League of Jackson County emptied their coffers, to provide start-up money to the agency and the first 3 kids were served in May of 2006. The agency has grown to meet community need ever since, starting the Farm and Food program in 2011, expanding to Grants Pass in 2014 and Phoenix in 2017. We are forever grateful for the village that saw the need, sought solutions, and donated their time, talent and treasure to make it happen. Many of these people support us to this day.

Our founding goals:
1- To help the whole family to become healthy
2- To dispel the myth that families have to figure it out on their own
3- To nurture caregivers and model effective behavior that gives them a road map for the future, rather than seeking to force change

These founding goals exist today, along with the goal of helping to create healthy, stable and attached families, coordinate care with other service providers and ensure that children are ready to enter kindergarten, healthy and able to thrive.

“If you help a child, you help one person. If you help a parent, you help the whole family.” –Unknown

Message from Our Founder, Mary Curtis Gramley (1936-2021)

“I have had the privilege of working with amazing professional caregivers over many years. It has been an honor to share concerns and contribute time and effort to very young children at risk. My level of concern and care has been a commitment to these children as future citizens of this community. My belief in their viability and capacity to become positive members of this community rests with our investment in them individually and collectively. Each child’s wellbeing deserves respect top to bottom.

I am thankful for the opportunities I have had, the meaning it has given my life, and the joy each child has brought to it.

Please do not let our children down. Their voice must be heard, because our listening will give them hope. Inclusion, diversity, and understanding must accompany the work that follows. It is the child that empowers and creates the needed change and success of all programs.”

A Mary-Curtis Memorial Fund has been established to help create needed services for children/families.