Family Centers
Area Family Centers Offer Refuge for Parents with Babies & Toddlers
When my daughter was a baby I found sanctuary in our area family center. I was able to meet other sleep deprived mothers in a safe environment where we could breastfeed freely and compare notes while our children took their first steps. I formed everlasting bonds with these mothers as we discussed teething and potty training, while reassuring one another that we weren’t alone in our sleepless world of spit-up and dirty diapers.
According to Hampshire County Family Network, “Family Centers are places where parents meet other parents, children socialize, and parents and children play together. A family center is a drop-in place for parents to spend time with their young children. Children can play, learn, explore, and make new friends. Parents can meet local families and talk about their children. Family centers have toys, books, and activities that young children enjoy.”
To follow is a list of Family Centers in Hampshire County. All centers listed below receive funding from the Hampshire Educational Collaborative and support families with children up through the age of four:
Amherst Family Center
Directions: 121 N. Pleasant Street. Located downtown at the Unitarian Meeting House between the Post Office and Bart’s in Amherst. Please use rear entrance. 413.256.1145 or 413.545.4466
Belchertown Family Center
Directions: 720 Franklin Street. Located on Rte. 181 five miles south of Belchertown Center. 413.283.7594
Cummington Family Center
Directions: 33 Main Street. Enter in back of the Community House on Main St. in Cummington. 413.634.5362
Easthampton Family Center
Directions: Playgroups meet at Christ United Methodist Church, 271 Rocky Hill Road (Rte. 66) in Northampton. 413.563.7672
Gateway Family Center
Directions: Located across from the Fire Station at 9 Russell Rd. (Rte. 20) in Huntington. 413.667.2203 (formally known as the Hilltown Family Center).
Northampton Parents Center
Directions: Located at the Edwards Church, corner of State and Main Streets in Northampton. Please use rear entrance. 413.582.2636
South Hadley Family Center
Directions: Located at All Saints Episcopal Church on Rte. 116, across from the post office in South Hadley Center. 7 Woodbridge Street, South Hadley. 413.533.7096
Ware Family Center
Directions: Located in the United Church of Ware, uphill from Rte. 9 in Ware Center. 413.205.8714
Easthampton Family Center said,
November 26, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Infant Playgroup in Easthampton
Please help spread the word about the Easthampton Family Center’s new infant playgroup. This is a time where parents of infants can come to the center to meet other parents of infants in the community. Parents are welcome to attend any of the family center playgroup times, however the infants playgroup is dedicated to parents with children under the age of one or who are not yet walking (siblings of the infant are also welcome). This is to ensure the safety of non walkers and unique needs of infants.
If you have any topics or speakers that you would like seen at the infants playgroup please feel free to email or call me and we can work on bringing it to the center.
Mindy Brown
EFC Coordinator
563-7672
http://www.easthamptonfamilycenter.org
Jude M. said,
January 4, 2008 at 3:04 pm
New Program!!!
Join us for TUMMY TIME
This will be a fun, social 1/2 hour for our youngest patrons
Monday mornings @ 10:30
In the Community Room at the Forbes Library in Northamtpon, MA
For babies 0-12 months
(Not appropriate for active crawlers or walkers)
The Importance of Tummy Time
Tummy Time has always been an important sequence in baby development. In the last ten years, the tummy time sequence has been affected by The Back to Sleep Campaign and the use of positioning equipment. This change has also influenced parenting styles. What does this mean to parent and baby? Babies do not like playing on their tummies and often get frustrated and unhappy. Parents need their baby to be content and safe and will often resort to the use of positioning equipment. Use of equipment has become essential to accommodate the parent’s busy, fast paced, convenience oriented lifestyle. Naturally, parents also need equipment to keep their baby safe at home, in the community, and in the car. As a result, babies are missing out on valuable tummy time which promotes muscle and brain development. The Importance of Tummy Time was created to make tummy time more enjoyable and successful for caregiver and baby.
For more information on this new program and to
reserve a spot for your baby call 587-1010
This program will begin when we have enough interest to form a group,
so CALL NOW!!!!
Berkshire Children and Families said,
February 21, 2008 at 6:46 am
Hampshire County Young Parents and Childrens Group
Are you a parent under 25 years of age??
Come join us on the last Monday of each month from 5 - 7 pm. Dinner will be provided, while everyone has a chance to socialize and catch up with one another.
We will host service providers from various outreach services to inform us about what is available in our area, learn about age appropriate expectations, and play.
This is a time to come support your peers and be supported as well. The group is facilitated by a former teen parent, as well as a knowledgeable Parent Aide who work for Berkshire Children and Families. You can also check us out on our MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/easthamptonmaparentgroup.
Place:
Berkshire Children and Families
8 Trumbull Rd.
Northampton Ma 01060
In the Root Cellar
Please Contact:
Shannon Paquette : Group Facilitator, (413)584-5690, extension 143
Janet Wojciechowski:, Group Facilitator, (413)584-5690, extension 138
Palmer/Monson Family Network said,
March 19, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Families With Young Children
Please join us for Kid’s Fair 2008!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Quarry Hill Community School
43 Margaret Street, Monson, MA
Our morning includes:
John and Magi Bish & their Child ID Program
A visit by our State Legislators
Children’s Music by John O’Neill
Rae Griffiths & her Teaching Creatures
Short Puppet Shows by Honeycomb Theater
Palmer & Monson Police and Atys the Monson police dog
Monson and Three Rivers Firefighters
Smokey the Bear & Sparky the Fire Dog
Over 20 local agencies will provide important information and fun
activities for children
This event is FREE to families
(We will be accepting donations of canned goods for
the Palmer Food Share and the Monson Food Pantry)
This event is co-sponsored by Palmer/Monson Family Network, a Hampshire Educational Collaborative program funded by the MA Department of Early Education and Care. It is a collaborative effort by nearly 20 community organizations, which serve families and young kids in Palmer and Monson. The Strengthening Families Advisory Council and the Parent Advisory Committee at the Palmer/Monson Family Network are also co-sponsors of Kids’ Fair 2008.
For information call 283-6246
South Hadley Family Center said,
March 27, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Coming Events at the South Hadley Family Center
Thursday, March 27th, 10:30AM – A demonstration of babywearing gear by Meg Eisenhauer Barry of The Children’s Garden.
Friday, March 28th, 4:30 – 7:30 – South Hadley Family Center’s Annual Ziti Supper at Mosier Elementary School. Food, fun, raffles, a cake walk, and Trevor the Gamesman. Adults: $4.50. Children three and up: $3.00. Family maximum: $15. All procedes support the South Hadley Family Center.
Saturday, April 5th, 8AM – Family Center’s Mom2Mom Sale in Kidder Hall, All Saints’ Episcopal Church. $20 table rental ($10 half tables available), the rest is all yours. A great way to support the Family Center and make your spring cleaning work for you! NOT JUST FOR MOMS! Call 533-7096 or email shfckids@yahoo.com to reserve your space.
Thursday, April 17th, 10AM - Terry a la Berry in concert at St. Patrick’s Church in South Hadley. Free and open to all, in honor of the Week of the Young Child.
Located in the lower level of the All Saint’s Episcopal Church at 7 Woodbridge Street, the South Hadley Family Center offers drop-in playgroups for adults and little ones, Monday through Thursday, 9:30 – 11:30 (following the public school calendar). For more information, call 533-7096 or visit http://www.shfamilycenter.org/
The South Hadley Family Center receives funding from the Hampshire County Family Network and the South Hadley Community Partnership for Children, both programs of Hampshire Educational Collaborative with funding from the MA Department of Early Education and Care.
NOHO Center for the Arts said,
March 31, 2008 at 8:23 am
Tuesday, April 15, Young Peoples’ Performing Arts event, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Tim Van Egmond is a multi-talented storyteller, singer and musician who transports his audience to the wellspring of wisdom, humor, inspiration and renewal found in the traditions of multicultural tales and folk music. His engaging warmth and dynamic performance will by turns tickle ribs, make spines tingle and warm hearts in an uplifting experience of enjoyment and enchantment.
Northampton Center for the Arts
http://www.nohoarts.org
CMH said,
March 31, 2008 at 1:20 pm
WHAT: Think and Play Thursdays: Here are my Hands
WHERE: The Children’s Museum at Holyoke
WHEN: Thursday, April 10th at 11:30 am
Think and Play Thursday
Here are my Hands
Come and join us for our next installment of Think and Play Thursdays at The Children’s Museum at Holyoke! This weekly program is designed especially for our curious museum visitors who are preschool age and offers valuable guided learning experiences that will introduce our young guests to our exhibits as well as talented members of our museum staff. Each week, emphasizing children’s literature as a vehicle for exploration and fun, a new story will be introduced as the day’s theme for arts and crafts, dramatic play, fun with food, and more! Join us on April 10th for an exploration of the story Here are my Hands by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. This moving book that celebrates diversity will guide us in making fun, multi-media self-portrait collages!
(413) 536-KIDS
The Children’s Museum at Holyoke
444 Dwight St. Holyoke, MA 01040
Open Wednesday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm, Sunday 12:00-4:00pm
Gateway Family Center said,
April 8, 2008 at 11:17 am
FAMILY CENTER SPONSORS RAE GRIFFITHS AND HER TEACHING CREATURES: This event will give preschool-aged children a hands on experience with different members of the animal kingdom. It will take place on Tuesday, April 15 at 9 a.m. at the Gateway Family Center, 9 Russell Rd., Huntington. As always, this event is free and open to the public. This program is generously funded by the Gateway Community Partnerships for Children, through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. For more information, please call Kim Savery at 667-2203.
Kim Savery said,
April 14, 2008 at 7:04 am
The Gateway Family Center in Huntington presents a workshop on the art of Potty Training with the lively, funny and knowledgeable Sarah Patton from the Hampshire Educational Collaborative on Wednesday, April 23 at 10:00 AM. Childcare is provided. This event is FREE and open to the public. For more information, please contact Kim Savery at 667-2203 x3 or familycenterkim@aol.com
This program is brought to you through the support of the Hilltown Community Health Centers and a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care through the Hampshire County Family Network.
Kim Savery
Coordinator
Gateway Family Center
9 Russell Rd
PO Box 444
Huntington, MA 01050
(413)667-2203 x 3
Swansea Benham Bleicher said,
April 24, 2008 at 7:55 am
Dear Friends of the Northampton Parents Center,
Please help spread the word about this free parenting workshop (with free childcare if you register before April 29th.)
Here are the basics:
Jeanine Fitzgerald presents “Behavior is FUNdamental!”
Wednesday, April 30th
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Jackson St. School
Child care by reservation only - call 582-2636
Thank you!
-Swansea
Northampton Parents Center Coordinator
If you’ve never seen Jeanine Fitzgerald, you won’t want to miss her. She really is better than Super Nanny, and she is much funnier. She imparts great parenting information while her audience laughs a lot and has a great time. I’ve described her as a cross between a stand-up comedian and a parent educator. Hope she’ll draw a large crowd and that you’ll be able to come.
Corky
Corky Klimczak
Hampshire County Family Network Coordinator
Hampshire Educational Collaborative
97 Hawley St., Northampton, MA 01060
ph: 413-586-4998 x104
ph: 800-519-1882 x104
fax: 413-586-1725
NEWS CALENDAR ITEM:
The Northampton Public Schools, Parents Center, and the Lilly Library are sponsoring a free parent education workshop with Jeanine Fitzgerald, Wednesday, April 30th from 6:30 to 8 pm at Jackson Street School. The workshop is called “Behavior FUNdamentals.” Free childcare is offered with preregistration before April 29th. Call 413-582-2636.
***************************************************************
The Northampton Parents Center is a nonprofit cooperative drop-in site for children (birth to age 4) and their caregivers.
Since 1985, the Northampton Parents Center (NPC) has provided a safe, nurturing environment for families with young children to socialize.
Open Mondays to Thursdays 9:30 to 11:30 am, mid September to late May.
Located in the lower level of Edwards Church at the corner of Main and State Streets in Northampton — entrance on State Street.
Generously supported by Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Edwards Church, and funding provided from the Hampshire County Family Network, a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care administered by Hampshire Educational Collaborative.
organization: Northampton Parents Center
297 Main Street, lower level
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 582-2636
http://www.northamptonparentscenter.org
contact: Swansea Benham Bleicher
e-mail: info@northamptonparentscenter.org
Amherst Family Center said,
April 26, 2008 at 7:55 am
Fathers’ Group
The 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in May
Amherst - From 10:00 – 11:15
Tuesday May 6th and Tuesday May 20th
Please come to meet other dads, talk about fathers’ issues, and have some coffee with us at this drop-in fathers’ group. This is a free event.
Where: The Amherst Family Center in the basement of the Unitarian Church at 121 North Pleasant St. in the center of Amherst, entrance is at the back of the building. Childcare provided.
Co-facilitated by Allan Arnaboldi and Melissa Barillaro
Allan Arnaboldi has background as a teacher at the preschool and elementary levels. For the past 7 years, he has worked for the Men’s Resource Center for Change, where he has facilitated drop-in support groups for men, supervised youth educators, and developed and implemented parenting workshops. Allan is a father, who has actively co-parented after divorce, and is a proud grandfather. He has also been trained as a Co-Active Life Coach through the Coaches Training Institute and works with youth and families as part of his private practice.
Melissa Barillaro works part-time at Family Outreach of Amherst at The Fathers’ Project. She worked for more than 6 years as a full-time caseworker at Family Outreach. She has also worked in the Amherst Public Schools as a guidance counselor and as a home visitor with Healthy Families. She has a special interest in working with fathers and is a co-parent of a 5 year old.
Please call with any questions (or just show up) Melissa Barillaro, The Fathers’ Project at Family Outreach of Amherst 549-2665 extension 2
Sponsored by: The Amherst Family Center and Family Outreach of Amherst
Amy said,
April 29, 2008 at 11:52 am
Saturday - May 17th
Northampton - 9:30am
Young Parent
Childbirth & Newborn Care Class
This is a FREE, One Day Class!
When: Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 9:30-3:30
Where: Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton
*Lunch will be provided *Includes tour of Childbirth Center
Childbirth
Learn about *the stages of labor *the role of your labor partner *pain management: relaxation skills and medications *how to work with staff, doctors, and midwives *cesarean birth *postpartum self-care
Newborn Care
Learn about *what to expect in the first 6 weeks *how to calm a fussy baby *swaddling *sleep cycles
Interested? Call Amy at 584-5690 x130
The Community Young Parent Childbirth Class is funded by the Hampshire County Family Network a Hampshire Educational Collaborative Program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. This class is a collaborative effort between Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Berkshire Children & Families (formerly Children’s Aid & Family Service), the WIC Program and the YWCA.
Amy said,
April 29, 2008 at 11:54 am
Sunday - May 18th
Northampton - 3pm
Breastfeeding Basics Workshop
This is a FREE workshop!
When: Sunday, May 18, 2008 from 3-5pm
Where: Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Learn about:
*the benefits of breastfeeding *positions *knowing how much and how often to feed *how to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat
Interested? Call Amy at 584-5690 x130
The Community Young Parent Childbirth Class is funded by the Hampshire County Family Network a Hampshire Educational Collaborative Program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. This class is a collaborative effort between Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Berkshire Children & Families (formerly Children’s Aid & Family Service), the WIC Program and the YWCA.
Easthampton Family Center said,
April 30, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Friday - May 2nd
Easthampton - 10am
Get Creative with Kira from Create Art!!!
EFC families, please join us in for the first of three children’s art classes this Friday, May 2, at 10 a.m., in the basement of the Easthampton Family Center at Christ United Methodist Church, Rocky Hill Road, Florence.
These free art classes will be taught by Kira, the owner of Create Art Studios. Kira’s offers a wide range of art programs for children and adults at her studio in Eastworks.
NPC said,
May 5, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Thursday - May 8th
Northampton - 10:45am
Dear Friends of the Northampton Parents Center,
Please join us and help spread the word about our two CD Release Parties
this week! We are releasing a new album featuring our music class teacher,
Aric Bieganek, “ARIC, Live at the Northampton Parents Center!”
First we will celebrate this Thursday, May 8th, at the NPC from 9:30 to
11:30 am, with music class from 10:45 to 11:30. Feel free to dress up!
Donations of baked fun snacks are welcomed!
Saturday - May 10th
Florence - 11:00am
Then, we will celebrate at Cup and Top Cafe (1 North Main Street, Florence)
on Saturday, May 10th at 11 am. Everyone is welcome. Aric will be there to
sing with us and his guitar!
CD’s will be available for purchase at both events for $10. 50% of CD sales
will be donated to the NPC. Attached is a flier for the Cup and Top Party.
Thank you!
-Swansea Benham Bleicher
Coordinator, Northampton Parents Center
http://www.northamptonparentscenter.org
413.582.2636
Children’s Museum said,
May 7, 2008 at 11:36 am
Friday - May 16th
Holyoke - 11:30am
The Children’s Museum at Holyoke
444 Dwight St. Holyoke, MA 01040
WHAT: Think and Play Friday: The Rainbow Fish
WHERE: The Children’s Museum at Holyoke
WHEN: Friday May 16 at 11:30 am
Think and Play Friday
The Rainbow Fish
Come and join us for our next installment of the Think and Play series this coming Friday at The Children’s Museum at Holyoke! This weekly program is designed principally for our curious museum visitors who are preschool age and offers valuable guided learning experiences that will introduce our young guests to our exhibits as well as talented members of our museum staff. Each week, emphasizing children’s literature as a vehicle for exploration and fun, a new story will be introduced as the day’s theme for arts and crafts, dramatic play, fun with food, and more! Join us on May 16th for an exploration of the story Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. The beautiful fish won’t share his scales! Find out what happens, and create a gorgeous fish of your own to take home! (413) 536-KIDS
AFC said,
May 15, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Tuesdays
Amherst - 10-11am
Stroller Class: Want to exercise while pushing your baby?
Tuesdays at 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10, 2008
Designed specifically for adults and their baby, this one-hour workout combines brisk walking, stretching, and interval toning with resistance bands to increase your stamina and strengthen your core. Taught by Jen Davis, Personal Trainer
Begin and end at the …
Amherst Family Center
Unitarian Meetinghouse, 121 North Pleasant St.
Entrance is through the rear of the building.
The class is free but pre-registration is required
and space is limited
Call 256-1145
Please bring a towel or yoga mat, water bottle, stroller
and, of course, your baby!
Kim Savery said,
May 15, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Dear Friends and supporters of the Family Center:
I am very sorry to tell you that the funding for the Massachusetts Family Network was eliminated from the Senate version of the state budget, although it was included in the house version. That means that there may be no funding for Family Centers in this state. Our Family Center alone stands to lose at least $7,000. This represents over a third of our entire budget from last year. This coupled with our decreased Community Development Block Grant Funds, leaves us in a very precarious position.
As you all know, family centers not only help families connect with each other; they also provide information about and make referrals to resources in the community that strengthen families. We help to relieve the isolation that many families of young children in the Hilltowns experience. By teaching parenting skills and helping parents to find solutions to parenting challenges and to build support networks early in the family life cycle, child abuse and neglect can be prevented in vulnerable families. Low income families who need help meeting basic needs gain access to nutritious food, clothing exchanges, and book and toy lending. Young children who otherwise might be spending hours in front of the television benefit from active play, hands on art activities, pre literacy skills and engaging field trips. Family Centers lay the foundation for lifelong healthy habits and raise the aspirations of at risk children by exposing them to rich environments and experiences.
Number of families served by the Mass. Family Network last year: 23,653
Number of children birth to age 4: 26,752
I am asking for your help to call or email your state senator to ask that this funding be restored and that they support the amendment by Senator Susan Fargo. It is line item 3000-7050. Describe your involvement in the family center, or what it has meant to you or the community. Unlike areas in the eastern part of the state, we don’t have access to any similar programs here.
Sen. Benjamin Downing: Benjamin.Downing@state.ma.us 617-722-1625
Sen. Michael Knapik: Michael.Knapik@state.ma.us 617-722-1415
Sen. Stan Rosenberg: Sen.StanRosenberg@state.ma.us 617-722-1532
They will be voting on this Friday or Saturday, so they need to hear from as many supporters as possible right away!
Feel free to contact me with any questions and thanks so much for contributing your voice to this effort. My home number is 623-5432.
Kim Savery
Coordinator
Gateway Family Center
9 Russell Rd
PO Box 444
Huntington, MA 01050
(413)667-2203 x 3
Easthampton Family Center said,
June 1, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Easthampton Family Center’s End of the Year
Family Fun Carnival
Friday June 20th
10am -12pm
Outside at the Center
271 Rocky Hill Rd
(In case of rain the carnival will happen downstairs in the parish hall)
Join us as we wrap up a fantastic year of fun at the family center with:
Carnival Style Games
Food
Music
Fun and Friends
Your yummy treats are welcome as this is a brunch potluck.
Please RSVP and say that you will come and contribute
FYI
Last day of playgroup at the center will be Wed June 25
Friday June 27 - Create Art w/ Kira Morrell at EFC 10:15am
(Downstairs. Play room will be closed upstairs)
Summer Happenings:
Friday Fun in the Park - Meet other EFC families at Nonutuck park through the summer
July - Aug 9:30 - 11:30. Sprinkler Park will open
Saturdays - A Wheely Fun Time on the Manhan Rail Trail.
We will meet in the Plaza across from 7 -11.
Bring Strollers, ride on toys, push toys as we stroll kid style and speed down the bike path. Join us for a picnic style snack afterwards.
Time TBD. Stay tuned for more info.
Please feel free to call the center number throughout the summer for information regarding events. I will check it periodically
563-7672.
I hope to see you all!
Mindy Brown
EFC Coordinator
GFC said,
June 17, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hello to everyone:
Carolyn Mazel of the Hampshire Educational Collaborative and Music Together will be at the family center for her last two visits on friday, June 20th and friday, June 27th during our regular friday play and learn groups. Carolyn is a talented musician and teacher, and her program is age appropriate for families with children aged 0 to six. There is singing, dancing and playing and families always have a great time. These programs are free and open to the public.
Hope to see you there!
Kim