Putnam Community Advisory Board Works To Meet Family Needs

The Putnam County Community Advisory Board is working to ensure that no child or family in the community is left behind.

President Jackie Reynolds said that’s why the organization is constantly looking to meet the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. She said that since the advisory board’s inception, she has seen a difference in the community.

“There are so many connections that we’ve made that we would’ve had no idea,” Reynolds said. “So we try to get new people to come and speak so then we know what services are offered and how they can help.”

Reynolds said that they connect with Genesis House, shelters, churches with food banks, and also offer free counseling services as well. She said that the Community Advisory Board is a group of service-minded individuals who want to ensure families in the community are set up for success and their needs are met.

Reynolds said the organization was started through the Tennessee Department of Child Services. She said that while it falls under DCS, the Community Advisory Board operates itself with the help of the community as well.

“We always, always love donations,” “That is a big help to us so we’re not having to go out and just call. We are under the PET foundation which is also our backpack program for the school. There are lots of need that we can meet if you could just donate five dollars.”

Reynolds said that her life-long dream was to be a teacher, and now she’s serving families through more than just education.

“So I’ve gone from a special education teacher to an assistant principal, to the family engagement coordinator,” Reynolds said. “And families are the most important resource that we have that is what is going to make us a good, productive society. And I think it’s our job to help families.”