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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ashland tests synthetic grass to save water ... From walking sticks to shovels ... U.S. Government wants to garnish wages of former Portland eco-saboteur ... Ashland tests synthetic grass to save water ... From walking sticks to shovels ... U.S. Government wants to garnish wages of former Portland eco-saboteur ... EDUCATION A champion for children is bid adieu Family Nurturing Center says goodbye to founder Mary-Curtis Gramley, who's retiring Comment By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 24, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 24, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News In her role as executive director of the Family Nurturing Center, Mary-Curtis Gramley wore many hats. Her work included grant writing, program development, fiscal management, community relations and forming partnerships with other local agencies.  "But being with the children and the parents was, by far, my favorite part," Gramley said. Gramley retires Sept. 30 after 14 years of serving at-risk children and families in Southern Oregon, first through Court Appointed Special Advocates and then as co-founder and executive director of the Family Nurturing Center. Now, she is looking forward to spending time with her own children and seven grandchildren. She says she also wants to write and “participate in some meaningful involvement in the community.” In the last month, Gramley has had the opportunity to see the center expand from one location, at 212 N. Oakdale Ave., to three. The second branch, the Josephine County Family Nurturing Center, opened two weeks ago in Grants Pass. The third, the Family Nurturing Center/Nurturing Unlimited, opened Tuesday at Kids Unlimited Academy Public Charter School. “It’s (Gramley’s) vision that has driven this thing,” said Dr. Lee Murdoch, a retired pediatrician and interim chairman of the FNC’s board of directors. “She manages to keep thinking of ways to expand and improve while focusing on the needs of each individual child and their family,” Murdoch said. Gramley, together with Susan Harris, founded the FNC in May 2006. On the first day, Gramley picked up four kids — two of them referred to her by the Department of Human Services — in her Volvo and drove them to the center, Southern Oregon’s first relief nursery. Now, there are about 96 children, all under age 6, attending therapeutic classes at one of the FNC’s three locations. An additional 200 children are served through its home-based and outreach programs. “And there are about 105 children on the waiting list,” Gramley said. The FNC also reaches out to the families of these children to provide parenting education and support and connect them with community resources. Many of the families are recovering from substance abuse. Others are poor, involved with the courts, dealing with mental health issues or struggling with domestic violence, Gramley said. “But every single family loves their child, and the families that come here are working hard to make life work,” she said. Murdoch said Gramley probably would not have retired had the board not found a suitable replacement. The new executive director, Sher Barber, started Sept. 10 and has spent the last few weeks shadowing Gramley. Barber has about 10 years of experience working with at-risk youths in California. She was the executive director for Wind Youth Services in Sacramento, where she facilitated programs for homeless and runaway youth, and was deputy director of the Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, which offers mental health programs to children in California’s six northernmost counties. “(Gramley’s) done a yeoman’s job opening both centers and keeping this one functioning,” Barber said Tuesday. “I don’t think she’ll disappear on us, and that gives me comfort.” The FNC’s fall fundraiser, “The Magic Hours,” will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Kids Unlimited Academy, 821 N. Riverside Ave. There will be food, drinks and live music by Karen Lovely, and Gramley will be present, said Lisa Greif, circuit court judge and FNC board member. “This will be an opportunity to introduce the new director and bid Mary-Curtis adieu,” Greif said. “(Gramley) has been a champion for children in our community for so many years," Greif said. “You never fully replace someone like that. Sher will come in and be great, but it’s hard to replace someone who I consider an institution.” Reach reporter Teresa Thomas at 541-776-4497 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/teresathomas_mt.   By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Teresa Thomas Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 24, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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