Changing the lives of parents and their children...

“My daughter was in trouble and out of control. By the end of the ten-week Parent Project course, my daughter’s attendance at school went went way up, she improved her grades from all Fs to all passing grades and had signed up for summer camp. My daughter and I now communicate like we never did before, and now she tells me that she looks forward to coming home after school!”
An Ellwood Elementary School parent

“I came from Mexico and tried to use the same techniques that my parents used on me but it didn’t work and my sons got involved in gangs. The Parent Project gave me the tools to help them. If it hadn’t been for this program, I would have lost my sons.”
A La Cuesta Continuation School dad

“(Our parents tell me) the Parent Project is empowering in two vital ways:  it provides parents with tools for creating a loving environment in which clear boundaries and routines are established, and school becomes the priority; and, it builds parents’ sense of self-efficacy by promoting their role as advocates of their children’s education. If we truly want to see all our children be successful citizens of our communities and our country, then parent education is essential.” 
Liz Barnitz Rocha, Ellwood School Principal

These are just some of the testimonials resulting from the $35,000 Women’s Fund grant which is funding the Parent Project for 2009. The program has already impacted more than 300 parents and children in seven local schools and at least three more are planned before year’s end.  

The Parent Project is one of ten agency programs we funded in February via $725,000 in 2008-2009 Women's Fund grants.

Each summer, we obtain progress reports from our most recent grantees who tell us how they are doing reaching their goals supported by our Women's Fund Grants.  We'll share more stories next month.

Parents receiving instruction and completing a ten-week program on prevention, identification and intervention strategies impacting their children for positive change.

Seeing our gifts in action...

And speaking of progress reports, we’ll have a chance to hear from all our grantees at our 5th Annual Site Visit on Wednesday, October 7. At 9:30 am we’ll gather at Earl Warren Showgrounds to take an Airbus to tour three of our 2008-09 agencies (Casa Serena, SB Neighborhood Clinics, and PathPoint), followed by a tour and lunch at United Boys & Girls Club in Goleta where we will hear brief progress reports from our other six grant recipients.  We will return to Earl Warren by 1:45 pm. And this is all free, thanks to the generous underwriting of Women’s Fund members Carolyn Novick and Carole MacElhenny. Invitations will be coming out soon but save the date on your calendar now! This is a perfect opportunity to interest others in joining the Women's Fund this year. Start thinking about guests you can invite.

More kudos for Carol...

Women’s Fund Founding Chair Carol Palladini has been selected as a Women of Distinction Honoree for 2009 by the Girl Scounts of California's Central Coast. She will be honored at a reception on September 24 at the Montecito Country Club.  More evidence of the growing respect the Women’s Fund is earning in our community.  Congratulations, Carol!