POUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie City School District has unveiled a new program designed to help parents of students. The Parent Empowerment Center (PEC) was unveiled at a soft opening on Monday, January 18, according to Natasha Cherry, the district’s interim executive director of Community Schools.
The center, located at the Poughkeepsie Middle School, is designed to give parents access to resources to help to support their child’s education, job placement, internet access, and other tools needed for success.
“A lot of our offerings will start virtually, but parents will be able to come into the PEC by appointment to meet with our family advocates, schedule computer time, or use our parent resource library,” said Cherry. According to Dr. Eric Rosser, district superintendent, nearly most of the classes and activities will be offered free of charge.
All of the programming falls under one of five focus areas including academics, social-emotional learning, parent leadership and advocacy, professional growth and development, and family bonding. Cherry is being assisted in the new endeavor by Mario Johnson, the district’s community schools administrator.
The two are in the process of putting together a catalog of offerings that include high school equivalency/GED classes, pre-employment training for women, parenting classes, early child literacy help, immigration/citizenship help, help with domestic violence/family law issues, eviction prevention, help for people who have a loved one that may be using drugs or alcohol, the OSHA courses for construction and general industry, healthy food/meal preparation tips, and other programs.
“Our goal is to have the Parent Empowerment Center be a place where parents can grow themselves, grow their children, and grow each other by using our resources and participating in our programs,” Cherry said.
The center is authorized for four full-time staff members in addition to Cherry and Johnson. When the center officially opens, all but one position will be filled. The two administrators will be assisted by Teacher Assistant Julie Maserjian along with Family Advocates Shiann Mayorga Cash and Christina Peterson.
The district is still interviewing for a third advocate. Cherry said she hopes that parents will volunteer to work at the center and asked anyone interested to email her at ncherry@poughkeepsieschools.org.
