The Ridgefield School District recently announced that the Ridgefield Family Resource Center, represented by its coordinator, Chris Poppert, has been honored with the esteemed “Make a Difference” Award by the city of Ridgefield.

“It is an honor to work with Chris Poppert and the RFRC,” said Kataira Smith, Ridgefield School District’s assistant director of Social Emotional Learning and supervisor of the RFRC. “Her love and compassion truly exemplify her motto of ‘community pours in so we can pour out’. The addition of Kristina Benedick to the team this year has also significantly contributed to strengthening the program’s offerings by providing an even more welcoming environment for our Spanish-speaking families.”

While the award was given to the Ridgefield Family Resource Center, this recognition is a testament to Chris’ unwavering commitment, compassion, and tireless efforts in serving our community. Through her leadership at the Family Resource Center, Chris has consistently gone above and beyond to support families in need, advocate for those facing challenges, and foster a sense of belonging and support within our community.

Chris’ passion for making a positive impact shines through in everything she does, and it’s no surprise that her work has been acknowledged and celebrated by the city. Her exceptional contributions have touched the lives of countless individuals and families, and her efforts have truly made a difference in Ridgefield.

“I am so appreciative of our schools and community for all that they do for the Family Resource Center in enabling us to support families,” Poppert said. “It is very important to me that our community understands that our volunteers are essential to our efforts, and we could not do this without them and their support. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all of the weekly volunteers, Compassion 360, the Lions Club, the team behind the Green Bag Food Drive, Gleaners, the Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation, all of the local businesses who so generously donate, and of course, our schools and students who organize food and toiletry drives throughout the year. The list goes on and on, and we are truly grateful for all you do.”

The “Make a Difference” Award acknowledges the RFRC and Poppert’s exemplary service and dedication to improving the lives of others. Her commitment to making a positive impact serves as an inspiration to colleagues and community members alike.

About the Ridgefield Family Resource Center:

The Ridgefield Family Resource Center exists to meet the needs of students and families by providing food, personal care items, and additional resources. You can learn more about the RFRC at https://www.ridgefieldsd.org/page/family-resource-center. 

Information provided by the Ridgefield School District.