Successful First Year for Parenting Classes

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- October 19, 2009 -- After a successful first year of a three year grant program funded by Montgomery County United Way, Collaborative for Children’s Hispanic Parenting and Support program is poised to continue its commitment to equip parents to learn skills to better meet their children’s needs.

At a recent celebration of the end of a six week curriculum, parents at Austin Elementary received their completion certificates. During a luncheon provided by the parents, Austin Elementary Principal Cindy Lentz, said “This parenting group has been the most well attended that I have seen across the board. We are so honored to help and support these parents so that their children are successful at school.” Jennie Gardea, Parent Educator for Collaborative for Children said she is “especially pleased because the parents started utilizing the material at home.” A parent survey revealed results such as “I learned how to have more quality time with my husband and children.”; “I am talking to my children more, I used to hug them, now I’m hugging them more.” and “I have learned the best way to talk to my children.”

In the first year of the program, 93 parents have been assisted with additional knowledge and strategies to help over 220 young children with their education. Class strategies include: communication skills with family and school administrators/faculty, dealing with conflict, developing self esteem, and discipline.

In a letter addressed to Montgomery County United Way’s Vicky Shelledy who is the Director of Community Impact, Collaborative for Children’s President Carol Shattuck wrote “United Way of Montgomery County has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to young children in our community through its support of our Hispanic Parenting Education and Support Program, and we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for this dedication. We appreciate community leaders who are devoted to strengthening young families and helping them create the secure, stimulating home environments young children need to thrive.”

Vicky Shelledy oversees the Montgomery County United Way Hispanic Outreach program facilitated by Maria Jordan. With its own H.O.P.E. (Hispanic Outreach Professional Enrichment) speaker series celebrating its first year, the success of the parenting program is “outstanding”, said Ms. Shelledy. “Our volunteers saw the need for parental support, particularly for the Hispanic community in the northern and eastern portions of Montgomery County. It’s only because of the commitment of our volunteers that this program happened.”

Parenting Class receives certificates of completion at Austin Elementary.

The Montgomery County United Way is a not-for-profit organization working to “improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.” Service centers in Conroe and The Woodlands along with the MCUW Helpline connect people to essential community resources. For more information about MCUW, please call 888-844-6289, ext. 235, 888-825-9682, ext. 235 for Spanish or visit the Web site at the link below.