The
Parent Resource Center
Main Street
Port Washington, NY
516-767-3808
www.ParentResource.org
Original Site Design by
Sands Light
Web Design, LLC
Dear Members,
The Parent Resource Center was established in 1980, 25 years ago,
to give mothers
a place where they could exchange information with each other, learn
from professionals and share the joys and challenges of parenthood. In
founding the PRC, Lynn Randolph broadened a home-based parenting program
for low-income parents already established in Port Washington. Lynn recognized
that all parents were increasingly under stress because they were raising
their children without the traditional neighborhood or extended family
support systems. She also understood that women who left their jobs to
raise their children often had difficulty dealing with the isolation
and uncertainty of their new role.
In 1979 and for 15 years thereafter, the PRC was housed in 1 1/2 rooms of a school administration building. In these early years, Mommy and Me classes, open playtimes and professionally led workshops were the total of what was offered. But the need was great. Within 3 years the PRC had a membership of over 300 families and most classes had waiting lists. In 1985, the PRC moved to 232 Main Street with the creation of the Landmark Community Center.
In the beginning, parents developed PRC programs and policies just as they do now. Often feeling rudderless, moms wanted a place where they could get information about child development, share the parenting process and learn about effective child rearing practices from professionals. They soon discovered that many of these resources already existed within the PRC community. Teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists and other professionals were also members of the PRC. Parents realized that they could conduct workshops and courses themselves. And, they had a lot to share with each other as parents. The advisory board was comprised of representatives from the school district, local hospitals and various agencies, but the Parent Board was responsible for running the PRC. Because the financing was all "private"—from course fees, membership, fundraising efforts and grants, it was not threatened by the loss of public funding. Parents knew that the PRC belonged to them and its wonderful programming could not be taken away. As long as they participated in fundraising and volunteered, the PRC would not "shut its doors" as some public programs might. Today, the PRC continues to operate as a non-profit. The fees are as low as possible—just high enough to "break-even."
It seems unusual that our society provides so little parent education
support for mothers who are usually alone, under stress and without
help. There are no federal, state or local resources that play the
role of parent educator. It is left up to parents — organizing
themselves into playgroups or parent cooperatives — to help each
other. Studies show that parent involvement is one of the crucial elements
of children’s success in public school. Yet there is no public
agency program that teaches parents how to be involved in the lifelong
process of public education. It seems shortsighted. The cooperative
nature of the PRC (its Board of Directors and parent volunteers) builds
a constituency for public education in Port Washington. If you look
at the leadership of the public school HSAs and PTAs you will find
it predominantly filled with former PRC parents.
My goal for this 25th anniversary year is to illustrate to the entire
Port Washington Community what a valuable resource the PRC is; both for
supporting parents with young children and for developing our public
school parent leadership. It is in everyone’s interest to see the
PRC continue its programs well into the future. The PRC is a blessing
but also a responsibility. Let us all live up to that responsibility
in any way we can. Thank you all for your suggestions, participation
and support.
Sincerely,
Julie M. Harnick
Executive Director, 2005,
Port Washington Parent Resource Center