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Meriden Children First Initiative News

Web Site: http://www.meridenchildrenfirst.org
165 Miller St., Meriden, CT 06450
Tel: () - Fax: (203) 630-2423

Non-profit group dedicated to improving the lives of Meriden children and families by way of research, leadership, training and advocacy.

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The Meriden Family Zone News

April 18, 2013

Zone Work Brings in New Resources and Programs Over the past year, the work of hundreds of dedicated Zone volunteers and partner agencies has really paid off. Millions of dollars in new resources and programs are now available to Zone families, ranging from literacy and after-school programs to parent training and improved health care. Way to go!

People Power Meriden was home to the first Spanish-language class of the UConn People Empowering People (PEP) program. The graduates were honored in January at Meriden Children First's annual meeting (shown above). Through PEP, individuals grow as people while learning to build stronger families and communities.

The Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) also recently began a new session in Meriden. PLTI trains parents to advocate for their children. This year, Children First has added 20 weeks of Parents Seeking Educational Excellence (Parent SEE) to the class.

For more information, call Meriden Children First at (203) 630-3566 or visit www.MeridenFamilyZone.org. Free Computer Training Fifteen parents from the Meriden Family Zone are now getting free computer training from Concepts for Adaptive Learning (CfAL). As part of the program, they also receive free computers and a year of discounted Internet service. New classes will be held soon. Call Meriden Children First at (203) 630-3566 to sign up.

English Class for Zone Families Literacy Volunteers has started a new English class just for Zone families. About 18 people attend the free two-hour weekly class to improve their English language skills. The class is full, but more classes could be offered in the future.

Thank You Beat the Street! Beat the Street has been providing rides to Zone kids so they can take part in its weekend and after-school activities (such as the dance program shown here). On behalf of the children and their families, we say�THANKS!

New Family Resource Center Opens Thanks to efforts of the Meriden Family Zone, a new Family Resource Center (FRC) is now open at Roger Sherman Elementary School. FRCs help prepare young children for school. Stop by and see what the new FRC has to offer your family.

Member News is provided as a service of the Midstate Chamber of Commerce and is also featured in the monthly "Chamber News" newsletter mailed to members.