CONGRATULATIONS to AFC co-founders Jennifer Opp and Judy Petrie for being named "Persons of
the Year 2002" by the Boston Globe's Northwest Weekly!
Arlington
Family Connection Forms to Support Arlington's Youngest Population
[reprinted from article written August 14, 2001]
You
see them everywhere now...on the playground, riding in shopping carts
at the grocery store, in line with Mom or Dad at the coffee shop, at
the library - Who are "they"? Little kids! Arlington seems to be full
of them now - babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers. Last year there were 575
births to families residing in Arlington. Arlington daycares and
pre-schools have long waiting lists. In short, there's a large
population of children age 5 and under in Arlington. That, combined
with the fast pace and complexity of life today, mean that there's a
demand for easily accessed information and resources about this
age-group, for the people involved in caring for them.
Two
Moms With an Idea to Help Arlington Families
Last Fall, Jennifer Opp and Judy Petrie, two Arlington parents who met
each other at a Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting, recognized this
demand and decided what was needed was a bridge between parents and the
organizations already serving young children. They came up with the
idea of a network of information and people, called the Arlington
Family Connection.
The
two got together, during playdates, post-"bedtime" meetings, and
naptime phone calls, to develop the mission and vision behind the AFC.
They looked at models of preschool groups already established in other
towns. They looked at their own experience as parents, talked to other
parents and caregivers, and studied what was missing in Arlington.
"Arlington
has a lot of resources for young children but sometimes its hard to
know how or where to find that information", says Judy Petrie, a parent
of two children under age 3. "We constantly hear questions like 'How do
I find good local childcare?', 'Where do I find a pediatrician for my
new baby'?, 'What if I think my child has a special need?', and 'How
can I connect with other new moms in Arlington?'".
A
Network of Information and People
AFC will be the place to get those questions answered.
AFC's mission is to "support and enrich the lives of Arlington families
with children age 6 and under"; to establish and maintain a formal
network between parents, grandparents, caregivers, educators, medical
professionals, and others involved in caring for young children.
Jennifer
Opp, parent of a seven-year old and a pre-schooler, envisions AFC as a
"dynamic organization that represents the community of families living
in Arlington". In other words, AFC will continually work to meet the
changing needs of all of Arlington's youngest.
Upcoming
Events Already Planned
AFC's mandate is both educational and social. Plans for future events
and activities include seminars, lectures, informational pamphlets, a
newsletter, a Web site, formal playdates, and book groups.
Informational seminars are already lined up for the Fall and Winter, to
include topics like accessing services for children in Arlington, how
TV affects children, how children learn, and transitioning to
kindergarten.
AFC
will have a booth at Town Day, September 15, providing fun activities
for children, as well as information about AFC and available resources
on living with young children.
Arlington
Family Connection Needs You!
"What's needed now are more volunteers to share their knowledge,
experience, and enthusiasm!" say both Judy and Jennifer, who have
already rounded up a small but dedicated group.
The
Arlington Family Connection meets on monthly basis. All are welcome to
come and make a difference in the lives of Arlington's children! For
more information about AFC, email us at info@arlingtonfamilyconnection.org
Written
by Carla Gates
Home |
Membership Information
| About AFC l Contact
Us | Volunteer Opportunities| Resources
Copyright 2002-2004 Arlington Family Connection.
Page Last Updated: June 30, 2004.
|
