Our Kids…Their Future: Strengthening Pottstown’s Children and Families for a Brighter Future MODERATOR REPORT – Group 2 Connections on High Cafe May 28, 2014 Moderators: Germaine Ingram, Bethany Egolf Reporter: Bethany Egolf Moderator’s description of the group: This group included 8 parents and/or caregivers. From visual observation there was 1 African American male, 3 African American females, 1 white male, 3 white females . The role of the parents/caregivers ranged from a two-­‐parent household, a single-­‐parent household, grandparents/other family members as guardians/caregivers, a godparent and a current foster parent. All of the participants shared that they were attending the meeting due to concerns pertaining to their children in the Pottstown School District. By visual observation, I estimated that the participants were 30 – 50 years old. The participants had children ranging from early childhood to high school aged children; however, 7 of the parents had children in early childhood programs and/or elementary schools. One parent started the small group by stating she was attending because she was concerned about the lack of programs offered in for early childhood aged children. Many parents agreed with her and continued to build upon the list of hopes and fears they had for their children. The group talked to each other and offered personal advice and knowledge of services to other parents. Parents appeared to support each other when sharing their hopes and fears by nodding their heads and affirming that they have the same hope and/or fear. Parents empathisized with each other as they shared. They were eager to voice their concerns and seemed to agree upon four common priorities to help support and improve their family and childrens’ education. Hopes and Fears for their child’s education, ages 3 to 9: Hopes: • More affordabe programs and activities available for 3-­‐6 year olds. • Foster parent (father) hopes for more male role models, support and mentoring for young boys, opportunities to build trust with young boys to foster father-­‐son relationships. • Do a good job parenting and give support to community kids. • Make community resources more accessible and comprehensive to all families (not just income eligible families). • Better outreach to parents from schools and community. •
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More affordable resources for single parents (broader eligibility for subsidies). The school district would offer language classes in elementary school. More consistency in Head Start program with contracted services related to speech therapists. Provide transportation for pre-­‐K programs and activities. Father of Pottstown student and member of Pottstown clergy hopes Pottstown can host a “Unity Day” with music, culture, food, diversity, organizations, information, businesses. Need a directory of events and services available in Pottstown via website and school calendars. Involve churches in outreach to community. Community Relations Department (Parks and Recreation) should be more proactive. Eligibility for subsidies relaxed. Assistance with buying school uniforms and shoes. Fears: • How behavior issues in the classroom affect school environment in a hurtful way. • Students reaching age-­‐appropriate reading level. • Bullying in schools and disrespect towards other children. • Kids walking to school by themselves. Supports: things people identified as supporting their hopes Most parents seemed to be knowledgeable of different programs offered in the community or had heard of a specific program. • “Me, Myself and ______” : Program offered at YWCA for young girls to learn manners and needed information as they mature. • Cub Scouts – Although it costs money for young boys to participate, they do fundraising and have sponsorship. One mom described it as a ‘great group of guys’ and they go camping, have summer camp, and have positive male role models. • Pottstown Parks and Recreation – Offers Judo classes for 8 year olds and above. Also offers other extracurricular programs and activities at a reduced cost. Unfortunately, it can still be too expensive to enroll. • Parent Literacy Nights – A free program offered for families with children pre-­‐K to 3rd grade focused on literacy. Children receive a free book and there are prizes and raffles. • Pottstown Public Library – Free programs and fun activities for families, has age limits and specific times for programs, offers some programs on the weekends and •
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evenings. Parent Source – A booklet given to parents that highlights activities, classes, events occuring in Pottstown. SHARE program – Volunteer a certain number of hours in exchange for reduced food price. Friendship House – In-­‐home literacy program that offered developmentally appropriate books and educational toys to families (no longer exists). Pottstown Clergy – Many churches in the community offer assistance to Pottstown residents, but perhaps the community does not know about the help available to them. Barriers : things people identified as leading to their fears or of getting in the way of reaching their hopes Participants had a lot to say about communication in the community and school district and lack of resources/programs. • More affordable programs and activities for 3-­‐6 year olds. • Need for parents to have breaks – Parents suggested having ‘date nights’ when they can take their kids somewhere for free or little cost so parents get some time to themselves. One mom suggested having ‘trade-­‐off’ play dates or nights where two families agree to care for each other’s kids instead of paying for a babysitter. Another mom suggested the utilization of the training that the teenage girls from the YMCA take to learn about childcare as a source of babysitting for parents to have a break. The mom wondered if the YMCA would open their facility to allow the teenage girls to watch the children for a set period of time to provide some relief to parents. • Coordination and communication of resources – One accessible location or directory with a comprehensive overview of all the programs, activities, events, services, classes, resources in Pottstown. Parents suggested this be done on a website and school calendars. Utilize churches, EHthemag, parent source, Pottstown Channel TV to help with outreach and inform community of resources. • Subsidized programs exclude parents who make just over the income eligibility cut-­‐
off. A single-­‐ mom shared that her daughter is not on the top priority list for free and reduced programs because of mom’s income is just a little too much to qualify for many programs. • Expense of school uniforms and shoes. • Need more support and mentoring resoureces for boys in community. Foster father shared that he would like to see a male version of “Me, Myself and _________” offered. Common Ground/Key Ideas • Improve communication about resources and events. There needs to be better coordination, centralization, and distribution strategies. • More free and affordable programs in the summer and after school available for 3-­‐6 years old (required adult/child ratio is impediement). • Opportunities for parents to have time to themselves (rest, relaxation) and programs that support this need implemented. • Broader eligibilty for subsideies for single parents/foster parents.