Parents in Action...on the path to success!

Parents in Action...on the path to success!

This new project aims to enhance the ability of at-risk parents to act by giving them an opportunity that’s based on their reality, and by better equipping them to meet their family’s needs.  The Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi  and the Commission scolaire des Sommets’ Adult Education Centre ran the project this year, aided by several local and regional partners.

Poverty, illiteracy, lack of training and being the parent of young children are all factors that exclude people from the job market.  This project allows us to build intermediate “steps” for those for whom “the next step is too high”, more specifically underprivileged parents with young children. 

 

The parent group gets together three half-days a week for 24 weeks.  It’s open to both mothers and fathers.  Several conditions have been put in place in order to reduce barriers  that might prevent parents of young children from participating.

 

To date, the results are very encouraging.  Below, you’ll find an overview for the period of November 2016 to March 2017:

-  15 people enrolled (including one father)

-  11 group members remained in the programme

-  11 members had at least one child aged five and under or were expecting

-  Of the four who dropped out, three had a child aged six or over and one moved

-  All the participants with a child aged 5 or under remained in the programme

-  There was an attendance rate of 76%

 

Comments from participants also reveal the impact the group has had on their lives:

-  I like getting up in the morning when there’s a meeting; it’s motivating!

-  It’s good to break the isolation, to interact with others and to make new contacts.

-  I enjoy the topics, the guidance in building a life project, and the team spirit.

-  The parental guidance was very helpful.

-  The daily routine with my kids is getting better and better, especially in the morning.       

   It’s more active.

-  I was able to get special education support.

-  I learned to focus on the root cause of a lot of problems (low self-esteem and self-confidence).              

 

It is clear that this project addresses the important needs of parents who are in a vulnerable situation:  it breaks their isolation, fosters parental support, and instills a feeling of empowerment and self-sufficiency.

 

The project is currently undergoing an evaluation process, along with three similar projects in the Estrie region.  The evaluation will provide important information that will allow us not only to make project adjustments, but to approach other financial backers and to draw up a long-term financing plan.

Tags: corrige
June 28, 2017 at 12:05PM
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