The SIU Carbondale Head Start program brought together 20 local agencies last week for their first family resource fair meant to empower area families connect with service providers.
Corey Butler with Chestnut Health Systems is just one of the resources meeting with families at the first ever family wellness fair hosted by the SIU Head start in Carbondale. He says the fair helps families know where to turn for help, and share that information with others they know.
Patty Davis is the family and partnership coordinator for SIU Head start. She sees the fair as a way for parents to strengthen their families and start new paths for their children.
Because…while the kids are the ones attending class, the staff at head start serve the whole family. Setting up goals and how to meet their needs. The fair provides many resources in one place.
Dionna Johnson’s son Damoni is a student here. She came out to support the school, but she ended up learning new things herself, “
The Carbondale Library is here highlighting their literacy efforts. But children and youth services librarian Francine Wien Frankowski says they offer programs to develop social connection like family craft projects or providing space for groups to get together.
Davis is thankful so many of the school’s partners showed up for their families. She plans to repeat the program next school year and find ways to maximize their success.