CCFA’s Parent Cafe Engages Parents at Gregory School in PlaceMaking Activity Creating a “Family Vision Board”

Parents, grandparents, guardians gathered in the Gregory School Library for CCFA’s first Parent Cafe of this school year. The School’s Library is transformed into a conference training room, workbook folders, resource materials, and complete with a light breakfast and smell of fresh hot coffee. The atmosphere is filled with warm greetings, hugs and smiles that are exchanged among Ms. Jacquelynn M. Rice, CCFA Site Liaison and Ms. Patricia Planter School Parent Liaison with 20 participants as they sign-in. Some parents appear not to be sure what to expect; a 9:30 a.m. meeting at the school, that focuses on learning about their needs, ideas and dreams; shaping a vision for their family is the central theme. This is CCFA’s Parent Cafe, a special time and place created for Gregory School parents to engage in self -discovery, acquire new parenting skills, pause and learn from one another’s experiences. LaWanda Edmond, Management Executive at Spirent Communications, has volunteered with CCFA over the past three years to conduct “The Family Vision Board” workshop, her celebrated and dynamic presentation is anticipated! Participants are enthusiastically guided by Ms. Edmond through steps to identify goals, interests and shape a vision for their future, by looking through various magazines and cutting out images and words. Ms. Edmond encourages each person to share their finished “family vision board” they come in front of the group and affirm their new vision! Energetic applause and cheering for one another, as they present their finished “family vision boards” ignites a “Yes you Can” atmosphere. The vision boards are taken home to be shared with family members.

Joining us at the Parent Cafe were three special guests: CCFA’s newest community partner, Nicole McGrath, DDS FACD, Founder of KinderSmile Foundation, who gave a very informative presentation on “oral health” and an overview of KinderSmile’s services that will be opening in Trenton in 2020. PNC Wealth Management, a CCFA donor and sponsor of the Parent Cafe was represented by Aquatia L. Owens, SVP Wealth Management Director and Madhu Sonti, they both participated and our parents enjoyed sharing their CCFA’s impact stories and their experiences. Special thanks to our volunteer CCFA Parent Partners; Angie Williams, Eloise Layton and Jessica Kirk who assisted Ms. Rice and Ms. Planter.