The History of TOP

What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been

In 1999, a group of concerned community members came together to create the East Tuscaloosa Family Resource Center, Inc. The goal was to create a place where underserved members of the Tuscaloosa community could come to gain access to services that were already available in other parts of town. The board of directors hired as the agency’s first executive director Teresa Costanzo, a social worker with management experience as the director of the Hale County Department of Human Resources. The budget in that initial year was $80,000; there were three employees.

Very soon, Teresa’s vision began to exceed the limits of east Tuscaloosa, so, in 2001, the board of directors decided to drop the “East” from the name, making it the Tuscaloosa Family Resource Center, Inc. The agency continued to grow, as did the array of services provided. Soon, the community began to think of the agency as a “one-stop-shop” for a wide array of family needs. In an effort to reflect this perception of the agency, the board decided to begin operations under the business name Tuscaloosa’s One Place, a Family Resource Center.

Through the years, many of our services have changed. We now offer many school-based programs, several career-development programs, an on-site adult education program, an English-as-a-second-language program, healthy relationship programs, a juvenile detention alternative initiative, a Hispanic outreach program, and home visitation programs, to name a few of our services. We press approximately 800 volunteers, from all walks of life, into service for our community every year, and that number is growing. Our budget for the most recent fiscal year was approximately $1.5 million; we now have approximately 25 full-time employees and 80 temporary or part-time employees. To say that we’ve changed would be an understatement.

Through all these changes, though, the agency’s constant has been its executive director. Teresa continues to be at the forefront of everything TOP does. Her oversight has been and still is the key factor in the agency’s place in the community.

As this year develops, many exciting things are on TOP’s horizon. Stay tuned!



~Bob McKinney, Assistant Director

Family Fun Day, "A Celebration of Recovery"

     Communities, organizations, and thousands of volunteers have come together to rebuild a city, and restore hope to families throughout the areas affected by the April 27 storm.   The city of Sylacauga is one of those communities.  Friday, July 15^th, Sylacauga joined forces with Tuscaloosa’s One Place to host Family Fun Day.   This was a celebration of recovery and rebuilding for all ages.  This event was designed as a fun opportunity for residents to relax, enjoy fellowship with the community, and rediscover what makes this city thrive. The fun included food, prizes, games, children’s activities, giveaways, and live entertainment. 

     In addition to the partnership with TOP, the city of Sylacauga also teamed up with the Coosa Valley Medical Center, Girl Scouts, Blue Bell, Baker and Taylor Publishing, Sanctuary Church, Christ Point Community Church, musicians Matt Jackson and Wade Hamner, the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement, Inc. and many individual donors to host this celebration of recovery.  The members of the city of Sylacauga have done an outstanding job assisting storm victims and their families.  Immediately after the disaster, city members began sending volunteers and groups weekly and biweekly to Tuscaloosa to distribute food and supplies to the affected communities.  They also provided care packages and necessities for children, along with clothes, linens, and other household items.  Words cannot express the acts of kindness shown by this city.  A very big THANK YOU goes out to everyone from Sylacauga who helped make this event possible!!!!

Kings's Kitchen

Margaret Morton from Sylacauga interviewing with Fox 6.

Sylacauga's Volunteers!

Books donated by Baker & Taylor Publishing.

Musician Matt Jackson

Community Youth enjoying the activities!

 For more pictures from Family Fun Day please visit our Facebook Page! 

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Tuscaloosas-One-Place-A-Family-Resource-Center/62603206250

TOP Serving the People of Tuscaloosa

Quite often I get asked the question, "What do you do?" or "What does TOP do?"  After the explanation is finished it is usually followed by, "I didn't know TOP did ALL that."  That's what this blog is for!  TOP S.P.O.T. readers will have the chance to hear from staff, board members, interns, and volunteers on what is going on at Tuscaloosa's One Place, A Family Resource Center.  First, I would like to introduce the staff, board members, and volunteers!

The Staff at TOP:

Executive Director, Teresa Costanzo and Assistant Director, Bob McKinney

TOP Board of Directors

Dr. Nelson-Gardell, board president, and her freshman class

TOP Board of Directors Member Alison Hudnall at "Pack the Bus" with Tuscaloosa's Promise Committee Member, Chrisy Horner.

Just a few of our wonderful VOLUNTEERS

Stay tuned for more on TOP and how we are serving the people of Tuscaloosa!!!!

~Amanda Waller