On the last Wednesday of each month, area families have been meeting at the Holyoke Children’s Museum for engaging “Family Talks” discussions for parents and guardians, free meals, and an hour of supervised museum exploration time for participating children.
The program supports about 20 families each month, thanks to a partnership between the district’s Early Childhood Education Department, the Holyoke/Chicopee Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) program, and the Holyoke Children’s Museum.
Through this collaboration, families have the opportunity to share a meal provided by the Massachusetts Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI GRANT) before engaging in meaningful conversations with other parents and caregivers. These discussions offer valuable insights into community resources and feature guest speakers who provide support and guidance on various parenting topics, said HPS Director of Early Childhood Education Amy Roque.
While families participate in these engaging discussions, children enjoy a fun, safe, and supervised play experience at the Holyoke Children’s Museum, she explained. This partnership has fostered a welcoming environment where families can connect, learn from one another, and access essential resources.
Families interested in attending the next session—scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26—should send an email to Christine Zaskey Cullen or call (413) 536-0363, ext. 4536. The program is offered monthly from January through June. Interested families can sign up for a single evening or all remaining sessions.