About Patty Cakes Family Center
Learn more about who we are and how our work supports families.
Built from lived experience. Guided by care. Focused on families.
Our Mission
Patty Cakes Family Center empowers individuals and families through mental health support, emergency preparedness, and personal development programs that help people thrive.
Our Vision
We envision healthier families where every individual has access to the mental health education, support, and resources needed to live confident and fulfilling lives.
OUR STORY
How Patty Cakes Family Center Began
Patty Cakes Family Center was founded in 2003 by Patricia “Patti” Nimmo, whose experience as a foster parent revealed just how difficult it could be for families to get help when they needed it most.
Children were often placed into foster care with little notice, while foster parents struggled to find immediate child care, mental health support, and basic safety training. Patti saw families willing to step up, but systems that were slow to respond. That gap became impossible to ignore.
What began as a solution to support foster families grew into something broader. Patty Cakes expanded its focus to serve parents, caregivers, youth, and families across the community, offering education and support rooted in real-life experience.
How our work has grown
From the beginning, Patty Cakes was built on hands-on learning and personal connection. Over time, programs evolved to reflect what families were actually asking for: mental health education that feels approachable, suicide prevention training that prepares people to act, CPR and First aid certification that builds confidence, and coaching that respects each family’s unique situation.
Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, Patty Cakes focuses on meeting people where they are. Every class, workshop, and conversation is shaped by the understanding that families are not cookie-cutter and progress looks different for everyone.
Meet Our Leadership
Patty Cakes Family Center is led by a team whose leadership is shaped by lived experience and thoughtful practice, with a strong commitment to the families they serve.
Patricia “Patti” Nimmo
Executive Director
Patti brings years of experience as a foster parent, child care provider, and nonprofit leader. Her approach is rooted in honesty, hands-on engagement, and a belief that showing up matters more than saying the right thing.
Trinicka “Nikki” Harden
Program Manager
Nikki brings a background in mental health services and a passion for resilience, self-care, and personal growth. She is known for her firm but fair approach and her ability to connect with youth and parents in ways that feel real and supportive.
Join an Upcoming Workshop or Training.
Patty Cakes Family Center offers workshops and trainings designed for real learning in a supportive setting. Upcoming dates and registration details are updated regularly.