Time Together
Three ways to improve your child’s perceptions of your community, and vice versa: 1. Attend a family community event together, such as an outdoor concert.
2. Take a community class on a topic such as art, exercise, or computers.
3. Invite a neighbor family to have a picnic with your family at one of your community parks.

Asset #8: Youth as Resources
Assets are 40 key building blocks of development that help youth grow up healthy. The more assets youths have, the more likely they are to succeed. Twenty-eight percent of youth surveyed by Search Institute had the Parent Involvement in Schooling asset in their lives.

Giving Young People Meaningful
Roles

Think about a time when you did a project that allowed you to make decisions, have input that others took seriously, and capitalize on your talents and knowledge. How did you feel?

Not only did you probably feel excited and energized but you felt empowered. Even when the project encountered difficult obstacles you were more likely to complete the project when you had an important and meaningful role in it.

See GS Newsletter - January edition for details.

Preschool Fair

The members of the Saint Joseph MOMS Club are hosting their annual Preschool Fair on Monday, February 6, 2012. The event will take place at First Congregational Church (2001 Niles Avenue, Saint Joseph) from 9-11 in the morning and childcare will be available. The Preschool Fair acts as a one-stop shop for parents, providing indepth access to the wonderful selection of Saint Joseph and Stevensville preschool options. Public, Parochial, Independent, and nursery school options will be all represented, as well as information regarding parent resources programs provided by the Great Start Collaborative.

See GS Newsletter - January edition for details.

Join Great Start Collaborative Committees

The Great Start Collaborative Board has broken down into committees. Please feel free to join a committee!

Parenting Education Committee - will be looking at Parenting Education in Berrien County; what there is and what parents are looking for. Next meeting - January 19th at 11:30 am; Berrien RESA

Strategic Planning Committee - will be revising the Great Start Strategic Plan. Next meeting - January 19th at 11:30; Berrien RESA

Communications Committee - will be analyzing local early childhood newsletters and publications to possibly combine into one resource for parents. Next meeting - TBD

See GS Newsletter - January edition for details.

Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition Collects Over 24,000 Diapers

The Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition of Berrien County hosted a county-wide diaper drive and surprised their goal by collecting over 24,000 diapers. “We are very grateful for the generosity of our community,” said Melissa Church, Parent Liaison, Berrien County Great Start Parent Coalition. “The diaper drive was more successful than we could have ever hoped for and because of that we were able to help even more families in Berrien County.”

See GS Newsletter - January edition for details.

What is the Great Start Collaborative?

The Great Start Collaborative of Berrien County is a partnership of community leaders, business owners, charitable and faithbased organizations, health and human service agencies, educators, and parents. It is committed to establishing and maintaining a network of county-wide supports and services that work together to achieve better results for young children and families. The Collaborative engages community partners in the planning and coordination of services, addresses the factors that influence a child’s readiness for school and life, promotes community awareness of early childhood issues and advocates for quality early childhood programs and services.

Simply put . . .
We want to make sure that every child under the age of five living in Berrien County gets everything they need to be safe, healthy, and successful -- period.