To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Head Start program by President Lyndon B. Johnson from the White House Rose Garden on May 18, 1965, teachers and staff from WCAC's Head Start program were honored with a special luncheon and presented red roses, courtesy of Big Bunny Supermarket in Southbridge.

A federal program which promotes school readiness of low and limited income children from birth to age five, Head Start enhances cognitive, social and emotional development supporting children's growth in many areas including language, literacy as well as social and emotional development, providing a safe and nurturing environment, enabling parents to work and/or attend school themselves. WCAC presently provides Head Start classrooms for 281 children at four sites in Auburn, Southbridge, Spencer and Webster. WCAC has provided service to more than 3,800 children since opening its Head Start program in 1992.

WCAC's Healthy Families of Southern Worcester County program serves first-time parents age 20 and under, from pregnancy through their child's third birthday. All services are voluntary and free of charge, with no income guidelines. The family support program has proven effective in improving school readiness and academic achievement; having a positive impact on maternal and child health; preventing child abuse and neglect; improving child well-being, family functioning and parent well-being related to their child.

 

 83% of Healthy Families Massachusetts mothers are enrolled in school or have graduated at a rate significantly higher than identified in national studies, and 70% of Healthy Families Massachusetts mothers who were not in school when they enrolled in the program have returned to get their high school diplomas. As importantly, Healthy Families places a strong focus on dads as well. In fact, Healthy Families of Southern Worcester has won the state wide fatherhood award two out of the past three years for having the highest number of fathers participate in the program (home visits and groups), and was selected as the only Massachusetts site to participate in the Urban Institute of Washington DC's National Research study on father engagement in home visiting programs. Learn more about the Healthy Families program here.

 

A CLOSER LOOK

Meet Jacinda Peters, pictured above with her now three year old son, Jayce. She was first referred to WCAC's Healthy Families program pregnant at age 17, going into her senior year of high school. Through the support of her family advocate, she recalls how very early on in her pregnancy she developed a strong connection with her advocate who assisted with everything from instruction on prenatal development to coordinating tutors so she could graduate high school with her class, followed by lessons on infant care and development, as well as support and goal setting for herself.

 

"The relationship you develop with the home visitors is so special - my son still asks for her," Jacinda says. "Without them I couldn't have made it. I don't know where I would be." Jacinda graduated from Quinsigamond Community College in May with a degree in early childhood education. She is now employed as a Family Support Advocate for Healthy Families. WCAC congratulates Jacinda and officially welcomes her to the family!

The onset of summer brings about end of school year field trips, celebrations and graduations. For WCAC that is no exception. On Friday, June 19th, the agency's Job & Education Center celebrated 23 young people who successfully achieved their HiSET certificate during the last year as well as 21 youth who completed Work Readiness Training. Having arrived to WCAC via a non-traditional education path and having faced a variety of barriers, students were extremely proud to receive their certificates. Ceremonies included remarks by WCAC Executive Director Jill Dagilis, alumni of the program, as well as moving remarks by several of the graduating youth themselves who shared the struggles which led them to WCAC's door and the lasting friendships and sense of family developed through their time at the Job & Education Center.

"Coming to WCAC was the best decision of my life," said 18 year old Tiara. "The staff here has been my rock and my family." Click here to see more pictures from JEC's graduation. Special thanks to photographer Troy B. Thompson for capturing pictures of the special occasion and to Price Chopper of Cambridge Street who assisted with a celebratory cake and flowers for the graduates.

Likewise, during the past month, WCAC's Head Start program celebrated the 'graduation' of some 102 students who will enter Kindergarten in the fall - excited, ready and confident that the 'head start' they received will serve them well in their school years ahead and beyond! These youngsters join the ranks of some 3,800 others that WCAC's Head Start program has hosted in its history. Click here to see more images from the Head Start graduation.

WCAC extends its heartiest congratulations to all of recent graduates! The future is bright!