Families First Program

Working with Holyoke Schools

VOC’s mt. Carmel and Churchill Center-based programs partnered with Families First to offer two power of parenting programs in Holyoke for 0-3 and 3-8 age groups. Staff from both centers took on the educator role for the 12- week courses to watch the children after their scheduled work hours so parents could take part in the classes and not have to worry about finding child care. mt. Carmel staff included Sheylin Vazquez and Denny robarge, and Churchill’s staff included yashira Calimano, Ana Diaz, and Ana Fernandez.

the power of parenting programs include interactive, skills-based parenting education and support. Seven of the sessions are interactive workshops focused on child development and building and strengthening parenting skills; three are parent Café-style discussion sessions allowing for parents to share as a group and strengthen their relationships as a cohort; and parent Leadership, which provides families with professional development opportunities, connections to community resources, and a graduation. programs are usually designed to take place at our partner sites — such as childcare centers or health centers — so parents can come together right in their own communities as well as learn about the resources that partners may have to offer. the graduation ceremony was at our mt. Carmel site.

“Being able to come together and support one another each week with parenting skills has brought me so much more pleasure at being a mama to my little one.”

– Amber Larrivee, program graduate

L-R: Israel Rivera (Families First), Angelena Madera (Families First), Tatiana Nieves (graduate), Sheylin Vazquez (Mt. Carmel Lead Teacher), Amber Larrivee (graduate), Denny Robarge (Mt. Carmel Classroom Team Leader), Jyton Hunter (Mt. Carmel Center Director), Jill Brevik (Families First)

“We are able to help the parents gain knowledge on behaviors, and how to take care of their children, because sometimes it’s hard, and it allows the families to express how they feel about being a parent, and allowing them to know they are not alone.”

Now Providing On-Campus Childcare at Gorse Children’s Center

VOC selected by Mount Holyoke College after extensive search in July, VOC became the provider for mount Holyoke College’s on-campus gorse Children’s Center, becoming VOC’s largest childcare center serving 101 children. the college selected VOC after an extensive search. the Center serves children ages six weeks to six years as well as before and after school care for children up to 12 years of age. there are a total of 10 classrooms which include 2 infant rooms, 3 toddler rooms, 2 preschool rooms, 2 k-prep rooms and a school-age classroom. Because gorse is located on the mount Holyoke College campus, college students are able to have hands-on experience with observation rooms in each classroom. in making its selection, the College prioritized the ability to work with mount Holyoke to maintain and expand the high-quality child care program; willingness and ability to accept subsidies and state vouchers; the capacity to collaborate with the academic programs at mount Holyoke College; and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Since VOC has begun overseeing the program, gorse has been able to provide subsidized care that was previously unavailable at the center.

According to Ashley goff, Center Director, “under VOC’s guidance gorse continues to provide the quality of care they are known for while now being accessible to all families.”

“I am literally crying right now. Thank you so much for all of your help and getting this to happen for our family! We always fall through the crack with our in- come being on the line and it is such a relief knowing that I have a full-time spot for [my daughter] next semester when I’m going to be doing my clinicals full-time. Thank you thank you thank you!”

–– Gorse family who became unable to afford the full fee for their child, and was assisted by VOC to obtain a subsidized slot

Energy Assistance

Kept 10,619 households warm through VOC’s Fuel Assistance rogram, including emergency funding to keep utilities on and to avoid heating emergencies.

eplaced or repaired inefficient heating systems for 895 individuals

Adult Education

264 individuals worked toward a brighter future through VOC’s Adult education programs

124 individuals developed stronger english language skills that opened up additional educational and job opportunities

16 individuals participated in VOC’s Citizenship classes

Senior Services

provided long-term companionship and support for 200 seniors, helping them maintain independent living

Housing

203 households were served by the VOC Housing program VOC Homeless and Supportive Services provided 12 scattered-site apartments for chronically homeless families