March 2014 Highlights

“We Learn, We Grow”

Family Literacy Event: Kindergarten Transition: Intentional Reading Date: Saturday, March 18th Time: 12:30pm – 1:00pm Place: BRIDGES at Riviera Beach/J.A.Y. Outreach Ministries Do you know what your preschool child NEEDS to learn BEFORE entering Kindergarten? Research indicates that parental engagement increases the child’s academic success. As your child’s FIRST TEACHER, you play the MOST important role in determining his success in school. Allow BRIDGES to support you as you work to prepare your child for a bright future! The Kindergarten Transition Program is designed to equip parents to lay the groundwork necessary for a solid academic foundation, so that their children are eager and ready to learn upon entering kindergarten. Session facilitators will provide a hands-on demonstration of a selected readiness activity that can be duplicated by the parent-child at home. Participants will receive a take-home practice packet, rewards and snacks! Call 561-899-1644 or come by BRIDGES to sign-up. Parent participation is REQUIRED. This month’s session includes an interactive reading activity and practice using key reflective questions that will improve reading comprehension. Event: Happily Ever After (P.A.C.T.) Moment: Practicing Intentional Reading Date: Saturday March 18th Time: 12:00pm – 12:30pm Place: BRIDGES at Riviera Beach/J.A.Y. Outreach Ministries Children who read frequently and widely are higher achievers than students who read rarely and narrowly. (Scholastic: Classroom Libraries Work!) During the Happily Ever After Parent And Child Together (P.A.C.T.) Moment, parents are provided with helpful reading facts and hands-on, interactive strategies that they can easily implement at home with their children. Rewards and reinforcements will be given to all participants accomplishing their goals. The Happily Ever After (P.A.C.T.) Moment will build reading skills, comprehension and confidence! Parent attendance is required. For more information call 561-899-1644.

2831 Avenue S Riviera Beach, 33404 Phone: (561) 899-1644 Fax: (561) 598-5672 Website: www.cp-cto.org

Event: Books, Bags, and BRIDGES! Date: Wednesday March 12th & Thursday, March 13th Time: 2:30pm – 5:00pm Place: Washington Elementary School BRIDGES at Riviera Beach, in partnership with Riviera Beach Library, is hosting a FREE community book fair “Books, Bags, and BRIDGES” for parents with children up to 5th grade. Research indicates that the foremost barrier affecting literacy in communities like Riviera Beach is “access” to materials. Our goal is to impact this barrier by providing “access” to books for parents and children in order to support them in raising their children to be healthy, safe and strong! Parents and children can browse through a selection of new and gently used books, meet and greet the Cat In The Hat, and enjoy a make-and-take parent-child activity. For more information contact BRIDGES at 561-899-1644.

Strengthening Relationships! Parent-Child Activities Event: Raise Me Up Activities: Simon says, “Wash Your Hands!” Date: Tuesday March 4th Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm Place: BRIDGES at Riviera Beach/J.A.Y. Outreach Ministries How many times a day do you wash your child’s hands? Not always sure they are washing them completely when you are not there? Let us help you with this skill as we play games and sing songs about washing our hands. Come join us as we as we help your little one learn how to stay healthy by keeping their hands clean. Raise Me UP Activities are designed to support the healthy growth and development of children ages 2-5. Event: Raise Me Up Activities: “Who Can I Be?” Date: Tuesday, March 18th Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm Place: BRIDGES at Riviera Beach/J.A.Y. Outreach Ministries Are you a fireman or a princess? Let’s use our imagination as we play pretend we are whoever we want to be. With your help your child can practice getting dressed as we put on costumes, learns new words and expand our communication skills. Raise Me UP Activities are designed to support the healthy growth and development of children ages 2-5. *Note: Raise Me Up Sessions will be offered consecutively Saturday March 8th from 11:00pm -12:00pm.

Strengthening Families! Capacity Building! Event: The Biggest Winner Kick-Off Contest! Resources & Weigh-In Date: Thursday, March 21st Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm Place: BRIDGES at Riviera Beach/J.A.Y. Outreach Ministries Let’s Begin. . . .Healthy! Join the fun at BRIDGES as we begin 2014 with a new attitude about health and fitness! This Kickoff Orientation/Celebration will help you get on the right track to lose weight and develop a healthier lifestyle for yourself and your children. We will weigh-in, set goals, talk motivation, healthy meals and that’s only the beginning. The fun and support does not end after this meeting. We invite you to continue the journey with us over the next three months and see who will be our Biggest Winner at the finale at the end of April. Who will be the Biggest Winner??? Call BRIDGES for more information. 561-899-1644.

Event: Community Voice: Moms & Dads Date: Wednesday, Weekly Beginning March 5th Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm Place: BRIDGES at Riviera Beach/J.A.Y. Outreach Ministries Community Voice is an innovative grassroots initiative that seeks to impact African American infant mortality by training community residents to be lay health advisors. These advisors attend a series of five classes addressing a variety of health concerns, including SIDS, preterm labor, and early prenatal care. Once trained, lay health advisors have the knowledge and power to disseminate correct information and to influence their family and friends. This is an invaluable asset when addressing cultures, practices and beliefs that may be passed down from one generation to the next. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your skills and become a positive voice in your community on behalf of children. Event: BRIDGES at WIC Saturday Clinic Date: Saturday, March 22nd Time: 8:00am – 12:00pm Place: 45th Street Health Department WIC recipients: BRIDGES & WIC are collaborating to increase access to nutrition education and services. BRIDGES invites you to join us for a special BRIDGES Day at the 45th street WIC office. BRIDGES Day at WIC will include free snacks, information, developmental children’s activities, games and prizes for parents. Need a ride? Let BRIDGES know in advance and we will schedule a ride for you to the office. All of this, and WIC resources too! We are two organizations working together to provide opportunities for your baby to get a healthy start, and to grow up safe and strong. Want to know more? Call BRIDGES at 561-899-1644. Event: “It’s Just A Get Together” – (Moms’ Group) We Learn, We Grow Part I & II Date: Thursday, March 13th & 27th Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm Place: BRIDGES at Riviera Beach/J.A.Y. Outreach Ministries Are you the mother of a child ages 0-5 years? It’s Just a Get Together at BRIDGES of Riviera Beach is just the place for you. Please join us twice a month to meet other moms with young children to form friendships and a support system that will make a lasting, positive impact on you and your family. Part I, We Learn, We Grow will focus on children’s developmental milestones. Join us as we learn through games and sharing what to expect at each stage of our children’s lives before entering primary school. Part II, ASQ and You, will provide hands-on experiences for participants to gain a fuller understanding of the Ages and Stages Survey and the importance of ensuring that their children are on track at each developmental stage. Facilitators will also share options for parents who have concerns about their child’s development. Event: Pre-K Round-UP with Early Learning Coalition Date: Thursday, March 27th Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm Place: BRIDGES at Riviera Beach/J.A.Y. Outreach Ministries The VPK program is for children that are 4 years old by September 1st. Children can participate in a VPK Program the year or summer before they start kindergarten. Parents need a VPK Certificate to participate. This workshop is not only intended to provide parents with information about VPK. They will also have the opportunity to can get Certificates online! Sign-Up at BRIDGES!

Event: One-E App & Mini Resource Day with HMHB & VITA (Free Tax Service) Date: Friday, March 14th

Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm Place: BRIDGES at Riviera Beach/J.A.Y. Outreach Ministries Come to BRIDGES for Resource Day! Are you receiving all of the benefits you are eligible for to support your family? A new computer screening tool called One E App (One Eligibility Application) makes it easier and faster than ever for families to know whether they’re eligible for a host of benefits, saving them the time and money of traveling from one agency to another to apply. The tool screens for State Child Health Insurance, KidCare, Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly SNAP), LIHEAP and TANF. Drop by BRIDGES between 10a.m. and 4p.m. and allow a BRIDGES staff member to assist you. Special guests HMHB & VITA Free Tax Services call for appointment and information on what to bring. 561-899-1644. Event: BRIDGES Member Mixer & Boutique Date: Tuesday, March 18th

Time: 3:30pm - 6:30pm Place: BRIDGES at Riviera Beach/J.A.Y. Outreach Ministries Hey BRIDGES Member! You have been a positively, engaged parent! You have taken Triple P, you came with the kids to “Raise Me Up” and you’ve even referred your cousin to BRIDGES. Yes, you have earned those BRIDGES Bucks! Come and shop at the BRIDGES Boutique and learn about more ways you can stay a positive and engaged parent at BRIDGES!

Community Outreach/Activities Event: Strong Start Community Group Date: Wednesday, March 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm Place: Palm Healthcare Pavilion A “Healthy Start” for children begins with a “Healthy Birth”! Join BRIDGES at Riviera Beach and commit to join Bridge’s member community dialogue that will lead to positive change for unborn children in Riviera Beach! Participants will share experiences, insights, and ideas that will lead to healthy starts for our children. A healthy breakfast to awaken the appetite and delicious snacks will be served. If you are serious about making a difference, and you are ready to put your ideas to action join us! For more information contact 561-899-1644 ask for Debra.