4th Quarter - December 19, 2008
NEW VERSION OF QUARTERLY
E-NEWSLETTER
Parent Trust wants to keep you connected and informed
Welcome to the newest version of our email newsletter. Over the coming months and years we hope to provide you with
information on Parent Trust
for Washington Children's services so that you can see first hand how supporting parents and their children makes a real difference. One
example
is ensuring that every child starts life with parents who know how to care for and keep their child strong and happy as it grows. As the
largest
independent childbirth and early parenting educator in the Puget Sound region, Parent Trust's Great Starts and Conscious FatheringTM
classes provide real world education and support during this amazing and critical time in a family's development. And your support helps
us make sure that every parent who wants to participate can.
As 2008 winds down, I want to make sure that you know how much we appreciate you being part of the Parent Trust for Washington Children
family.
In the coming year, we'll be providing services to thousands of families throughout our state. We are honored that you are standing with us as
we reach out to families in Washington to ensure that every child has a chance to flourish and live a joyful, healthy life.
Jack F. Edgerton
Executive Director
OUR GREAT STARTS
PROGRAM
Parent education for expectant and new parents
Every expectant and new parent wants the best for their child! That is why becoming great parents starts during
pregnancy. Parent Trust's
Expectant & New Parent Services offers parents the latest in childbirth and early parenting classes in a hands-on, comfortable and stress free
environment. Whether this is a your first baby or your second, you're a new dad preparing for fatherhood, or a couple wondering about your childbirth
options, Parent Trust has the right childbirth and early parenting class for you. The fees for this class do not cover the entire class cost
and Parent Trust offers scholarships to those families who need financial assistance. Program Info>>
"You made me feel much more confident and prepared for the birth of my daughter. What a gift!"
GIFTS FOR FAMILIES IN
RECOVERY
GROUPS
Building hope through the strength of the community
During
the month of December, our Families in Recovery (FIR) Coordinator Sarah delivered over 200 gifts for
approximately 75 families in five of our FIR groups. The gifts
came from Toys for Tots and Parent Trust. With the gifts, each group had a holiday party at
which each
parent chose and wrapped a toy for their children. The holiday party helped the parents feel connected, supported, appreciative of their
recovery from drugs and alcohol, and joyous for their relationship with their children. Program Info>>
"I am so grateful. This is a very hard
year for me and it is hard on
the kids. I appreciate the opportunity to give my kids something for
Christmas and the way that we are doing this as a community is really
helping me to stay grounded."
"Picking gifts for my children today is exciting because my two boys
will be coming here to live with me next week and my two girls will be
coming the week after Christmas. It is making it feel more real that
they will actually be here with me soon!"
"I am feeling very blessed and grateful for Parent Trust. Last
Christmas I was using and just gave my kids a couple toys and left them
by themselves
in their room. I was not mentally or physically there for them. This
year I am clean and sober and excited to play their new games with
them."
GREAT STARTS AT NORTHGATE HOSPITAL
New exclusive contract for all childbirth classes
Great Starts will now be offering it's Birth and Parenting Preparation series, Labor and Birth classes, and Baby Safe classes at Northgate
General Hospital. The addition of these new classes will increase Great Starts enrollment by about 20%. Great
Starts Classes>>
2008 ANNUAL REPORT
Condensed report available now
For more than 30 years, Parent Trust for Washington Children has been helping create safe, healthy families across the state of
Washington. Parents,
caregivers, children, and youth have access to an extensive network of support, education, and leadership through our programs and resources, offered
at low or no cost through offices in both eastern and western Washington, and through partnerships with state and national agencies. Learn more
about the agency's work in the last fiscal year with the 2008
Annual Report>>
