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Our parent/child program has been a part of the community since 1994. Inspired by the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition, we are one of the Bridgeport’s Family Network Centers. Originally Family Matters was a place for women to come who had been incarcerated and were transitioning back into life with their children. In 1995, Family Matters became a Community Center where children came with a parent or guardian. A Board was set-up, which is a subcommittee of the Vestry of Calvary St. George’s Episcopal Church. Since Family Matters is a drop-in center for ages birth to five, the challenge became how to make the program as productive as possible with a significant developmental age spread. At one point, the Board hired two Early Childhood Development teachers, one for our birth to two children, the other for our three years and up. A “preschool playschool” approach was the goal. It didn’t work as well as we had hoped. Since we are a drop-in, attendance was inconsistent. Siblings wanted to be with each other and mothers of two or more didn’t know who to be with when. The teachers were frustrated as well. At a time of change in staff, the Board took the opportunity to take a hard look at the overall goal and the budget considerations, as well as the programs being offered. In October of 2005, the Board unanimously decided to go back to our roots as a “community center"; a drop-in center for parents/guardians to interact with their children and other families; a safe place to improve family relationships; a daily schedule providing programs for both children and caregivers including: music, creative movement, story time, singing, arts & crafts, out door play, and basic school readiness. We also offer programs for adults: positive parenting, stress, fitness, health, etc. Coffee for adults and snacks/juice for children are provided each day. |
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last update 12/16/2007 |
