February 2021 Newsletter

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February 2021
As we wrap up February, we wanted to take some time to share what's been happening at the Family Room. Take a look below for some community gratitude, program updates, and to read about how we are meeting family needs in new ways for the Family Room- through technology education. Also check out some ideas for teaching your children about Black history- we encourage these conversations and ideas year round, beyond February's Black History month!

Donate today

Special Thanks to...
Trents Bread in Westford donations of lovely fresh loaves of bread for our home deliveries!

To our monthly donors (ask about our sustainers program)!

The continued support of the Vermont Foodbank.

Dog River Farm for the fresh eggs we are purchasing out of Berlin, VT.

Bernie Sanders for fundraising for the Parent Child Centers of Vermont.

Announcements and Program Updates

Welcome back to our Champlain College interns Hawa Aden and Tyler Dancho!

Pantry
In an effort to meet the needs of the community and increase the number of families served, we've switched to every-other week deliveries while doubling up on box sizes. We are still striving to provide culturally relevant produce and bulk pantry items and household goods like soap and detergent.

Caregiver and family education:
Strong Families is starting, playgroup style! We are excited to virtually pull together a handful of families to share children's books, songs, and art activities along with a space for social connections and emotional support.

In the works! We are developing a drop in toddler-time including singing, finger-play, and stories for young children and their families. We will update specifics once they are confirmed on our Facebook, instagram, and newly updated-website.

Technology and computer literacy mentoring is still happening on site in collaboration with Burlington School District's Sidney Hinckley from Parent University. See below for more information!

Computer Literacy and Access

Close your eyes, and imagine a day without a computer or smart phone. Refreshing, right? But, what happens when your child needs to do their school work, or their teacher wants to meet for a parent-teacher conference? Or, what if your doctor is only making virtual appointments, and one of your children, or yourself needs to be seen? How do you develop your English skills when ESL has moved to on-line classes, and you can't meet with speakers of English elsewhere due to pandemic guidelines? How do you complete a job search, or look for housing? What if you're family is in another state, country, or even just down the street but you aren't allowed to gather? How do you stay connected then?

I'm sure you can easily imagine how those scenarios make it vital to have access to a computer, tablet, or smart phone. It's the way people are expected to access education, health care, social services, and more now during the pandemic. But access isn't the only issue for so many families. Technical knowledge is required to be able to use the devices as well as the platforms that provide these connections. The internet, Zoom, Google Meets, Drive, and email, craigslist, and more are some examples of what you need to know how to use in order to easily engage with medical providers, social workers, and potential landlords or employers.

Noticing this need in our community, the Family Room has teamed up with Sidney Hinckley from Burlington School District's Parent University, as well as with the help from our interns Hawa Aden and Tyler Dancho. They have played a key role both in the initial computer classes and then later individual tutoring (when more rigid restrictions took hold). Their flexible and responsive teaching styles and ability to create a community of learners has truly supported people in what could have been an intimidating new skill made more difficult in a second, third or fourth language.

People from this project have been working 1:1 with family members to provide the devices and support ensuring families have internet access, and guided practice with the platforms necessary to stay healthy, emotionally and socially connected, and informed about their child's education.

We have given over 50 computers to our families in conjunction with our Parent University Collaboration. From a Covid relief grant we were able to purchase 30 new and over 20 refurbished computers with our collaboration with the non- profit Laboratory B.

Thanks to Bernie Sanders' for fundraising for the Parent Child Centers of Vermont. Some of this funding will be used to supply more families with computers and training. If you would like to support our Computer Literacy program and reach more families, click the "Donate now" button below!

Click here to donate today

Family Room Wish Lists

-Sturdy, 1 foot stools for toddlers

-Potty training seats

Volunteer Needs

Cooking volunteers willing to be on future “meal train” for families with new babies. Specifically the first 3 weeks home from hospital (Please contact Dayva@thefamilyroomvt.org to inquire).

Consistent Food delivery volunteers for earlier times on Tuesday and Fridays 9:15-10:30 (Please contact justine@thefamilyroomvt.org to inquire)

Parent Resources

Creating and Caring and Inclusive Spaces
Teach Your Children About Black History
Positive Parenting Tips
Age-based media reviews for families

Parent Voices:
“We need the you [the Family Room]. We don’t have any friends here, so there’s no one to talk to about how to raise our children. We don’t know all we are supposed to do or how to do it all here in America. So that’s why we need you!” -Family Room father

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Janet S. Munt Family Room · 20 Allen St. · Burlington, Vt 05401 · USA