Our History

The HUB Family Resource Center, or simply The HUB - as it is known to families- was born out of a community movement. The Goals 2000 initiative of the early 1990’s, in which every school district was mandated to develop a plan to support school readiness, was the catalyst for the creation of The HUB.

Dover’s approach to achieving Goals 2000 was the development of the Ready-to-Learn Task Force. Made up of 25 educators, social service providers, parents, and health care providers, the Task Force delved into a two-year research study of programs around the country that supported families and resulted in children entering school healthy, developmentally on track and “ready-to-learn.”

Upon learning of the Family Support model, the Task Force enthusiastically dedicated its energies to the development of a mulit-faceted family resource center. In January of 1994 The HUB Family Resource Center opened its doors. Despite a blustery snowstorm, two parents and five children stopped by for the first Parent-Child Play Group. Since that auspicious beginning the Center has grown to provide services to more than 600 families each month through10 weekly parenting and family programs, four home visiting services, a drop-in child care center, and programs at six satellite locations.

While The HUB began with the focus of promoting early learning and the healthy development of children ages 0-5, over the years the Center has evolved into a program which has embraced a belief in primary prevention. Our programs are designed to build the strength and skills of the family and thus prevent family dysfunction and ongoing stress which can lead to child abuse and neglect, school failure, juvenile delinquency, youth violence, substance abuse and other problems.

Our staff of 25 includes four Master Level educators, social workers and administrators. In addition the majority of the staff have their bachelors degrees in social work or education, and more than 75% have more than 10 years experience working with families . The HUB is funded through federal, state, county, local and private foundation grants, fund raising events, and individual contributions.