In late November, seven Holyoke families wrapped up a 12-session “Power of Parenting” program with final lessons and a completion celebration at Holyoke Public Library to mark the end of their six-week program.
This year, HPS has partnered with Families First to offer two programs for families experiencing housing instability—including this one that just wrapped up and a second program to be offered in spring 2025—through a McKinney-Vento American Rescue Plan (ARP) grant.
“The program is life changing,” said parent Erika Morales-Colon, whose children attend E.N. White and Kelly schools. “All the resources they provide are very useful. As a mother of three, this has helped me better communicate with my kids. I would recommend this program to everybody. I don’t care if you think you are the best parent in the world. You should definitely come. Take advantage of all the resources and listen to everything.”
The Power of Parenting program provides interactive, skills-based parenting education and support throughout the 12 sessions. Parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 8 engage in topics designed to strengthen their parenting skills and deepen their understanding of child development—while also helping to forge connections between participants.
“Building community is so important, because it makes a person feel like they belong,” said Families First Program Facilitator Kisra Campbell.
“You get to meet great people here,” Ms. Morales-Colon agreed. “You make friends, too. You just come together, as a family.”
Participants explored topics such as:
Growth and change in the early years
Building self-esteem
Resilience
Language development
Positive discipline
Play as learning
Media and brain development
Children’s temperaments