Spees steps down as FRC’s leader

By Kathryn Reed

Delicia Spees doesn’t know what the word quit means.

Even though Friday was her last day as executive director of the Family Resource Center in South Lake Tahoe, she is still going to be working there. But now she will be the coordinator working with families for about 15 hours a week.

“I have worked and done what I have done because I have this amazing mother who said you have got to give to people,” Spees told Lake Tahoe News. “I was lucky to work for people who needed me and I needed them too because they fulfilled me.”

The 63-year-old is looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, and enjoying Tahoe.

“I want to be a domestic goddess again and play with my girlfriends,” Spees said with a laugh.

She will continue to be involved on the board of directors for the Senior Plaza, being part of the Kinship Program at Lake Tahoe Community College and hoping to volunteer at Bookworks. The used bookstore near Freshies is one of the primary funding sources for FRC.

Karen Tinlin, who has known Spees since she was Spees’ oldest daughter’s third-grade teacher at Meyers Elementary School, said her friend is an advocate for people, even if it isn’t work related.

“She has a real special place in her heart for young children and wanting to make sure their lives are good,” Tinlin said. “She knows the families, their stories. She is connected.”

Spees started at the FRC’s predecessor about 20 years ago and has been the director for the last 13 years. It started as a nonprofit people had to be referred to, and now is open to anyone and includes programs. It used to mainly be a welcome center for new students, where they would enroll and officials would ensure all the paperwork and immunizations were in order.

Now mental health services, translations, food and clothing give-aways, English as a second language classes, one-on-one counseling, parenting classes and advocacy all come under the FRC umbrella.

“I definitely think there should be a FRC in every school if you could afford it. Every school has its own needs,” Spees said. “This FRC doesn’t just cater to Bijou. We work with the school district to do different programs at different schools.”

Rick Meyer, who started on FRC board in 1999, said to this day he remembers the first time he was at the facility.

“I walked into the Family Resource Center and here was the executive director handing out bread, handing out clothes, the phone is ringing, people needed her to do this and that,” Meyer recalled. “She is completely involved with all the people who need to be served.”

He admires that she created an organization from humble beginnings to a stable, respected nonprofit.

Besides more programs, Spees also has seen a growth in need. And while many think FRC only helps the Latino population or those associated with Bijou Community School because its offices are there, the truth is everyone is welcome.

“Because of the economy we have seen a growth in the Anglos coming in,” Spees said.

She knows FRC will continue to evolve.

“We built something that means a lot to the community,” Spees said.

De-Anne Hooper, who at one time was the executive director of the local Boys & Girls Club and has worked closely with FRC and Spees, will now be at the helm of FRC.

Hooper has been on board for the last month to learn the ropes from Spees.