The Parent Resource Center has been enriching our children for 35 years
The Port Washington Parent Resource Center (PRC) has been providing our community with a place for our kids to be nurtured for more than three decades. In January, it will be celebrating its 35th anniversary—commemorating the
center’s growth and service to the children of Port Washington.
In 1978, sponsored by the Port Washington Public Schools, the center began a community outreach program, which helped disadvantaged families learn parenting skills. More than a third of a century later, the PRC now serves all Port Washington children, has grown to around 500 family volunteers and has just undergone a $50,000 renovation, which was financed by fundraising and crowdfunding events, along with a few donations.
“The Center is recouping, renovating and launching,” says copresident Amanda Khalil. “Everything will be ready for September.”
The PRC offers fall, spring and summer classes, and holds vacation classes, too. It features a Parent University course, which provides new parents with the strategies and lessons to raise their children. Some of the topics focus on dealing with tantrums, financial planning and coping with stress during the holidays. Other classes include Baby and Me Yoga, Balancing and Bouncing, Craftology, Cooking, Inventors, Messy Art and much more.
The PRC now serves all Port Washington children and has grown to around 500 family volunteers.
For the upcoming year, the PRC is extending its hours and will be holding new classes, such as Spanish for Kids. In this class, children ages 5 to 7 will be exposed to the Romance language, which will not only further their education but will hopefully increase their creativity.
The instructors will incorporate songs, pictures, games and playtime. The PRC does employ instructors, but because it’s a cooperative program, the parents of the children participating also volunteer. Some parents instruct, while others pitch in at press events or write press releases.
While the children are learning and playing, the parents chill in the “parent zone.” It’s a place to relax after a long day, watch their kids play on a television screen, drink coffee and use the Wi-Fi.
“We want the parents to have something to do, too,” says Khalil. “They can just unwind, answer some emails and watch their kids have fun.”
Originally, the PRC was for newborns through age 5, but with the new renovations and redesigns, the PRC is opening its doors to children through age 8.
During the school year, local seventh-grade students help younger children with their schoolwork. When school break comes around, the children can participate in special events. Last April, the PRC held a campout, which taught children how to identify animal tracks and use compasses while creating a field journal.
The 20 board members, parent volunteers and employees of the Port Washington Parent Resource Center will continue to provide parents and children with the support they need.
Combined with the new facility renovations and new classes, the PRC has opened up new opportunities for local children—continuing to provide them with a fun learning experience.
Fall classes are off to a great start. For more information, visit the Parent Resource Center at 232 Main Street, Suite 4, go to www.parentresource.org, call 516-767-3808 or email info@parentresource.org.
