As a long-standing board member and father of two, I have strong feelings about the importance of child cares’ role in a child’s development and the success of the family unit. You may have heard me talk about my feelings on this before.
I strongly believe that if we are able to support one young family, it could have the power to lift them up. Offering scholarship rates can allow a single mom to afford a safe and secure place for her children to go, so she can go to work. It could mean that her child will not be left home alone. It could mean that the child will get at least two nutritious meals a day. It could mean that the child will have access to early childhood education. It could mean the child will build friendships and participate in educational opportunities that he/she might not have had otherwise. Did you know that 96% of the families accessing our child care either have tuition assistance from OCDSS or qualify for our lowest scholarship rate?
There is so much that The Center does for children and families.
Childcare is only one component. Some of the other services they offer are:
- Universal Pre-Kindergarten: With the Utica City School District, we offer both morning and afternoon UPK programs to 4-year-olds living within the district.
- PINS Reduction and Elimination Program (PREP): With Oneida County Dept. of Social Service, we provide a family and community-based PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) Diversion Program. Designed to keep youth at home by providing individual services and support networks utilizing a holistic approach.
- Project A.I.M. (Achieve-Inspire-Motivate): Trained adult mentors offer youth opportunities to build their self-confidence, reduce negative social behaviors, increase connectedness to home and community, increase employability, and provide community services
- Community Health Worker Services: Working with high needs individuals and families to access needed preventive and primary health care services, emphasizing on pregnant women not enrolled in health care/supportive services.
- Circles Initiative: A high impact initiative that empowers low-income participants to move out of poverty. Part of the Circles USA national initiative with a mission to “inspire and equip families and communities to resolve poverty and thrive.”
- Outreach & Prevention: A neighborhood drop-in program offering educational and recreational opportunities year round. This program is FREE for children within walking distance of the center.
Our upcoming Gala Di Mistero is raising funds to support our Childcare and youth programs.
