Jenna Harding (our coordinator Jayme's little sister), spoke about Child S.H.A.R.E. and the foster care system of Los Angeles. Child S.H.A.R.E. is a non-profit company that teams up with churches to help find loving foster and adoptive homes for foster children throughout Los Angeles. Jenna shared her personal experience of presenting a care package to two young girls who were newly placed in a foster home. The girls just couldn't believe that she had brought something just for them. Many foster children have little or no possessions when they come into the system. And, some have never received a gift of their very own. Child S.H.A.R.E. will give a newly-placed child a backpack containing a blanket, teddy bear, and practical items as well. There are many ways to help the foster children of Los Angeles. You can find more information about Child S.H.A.R.E. at http://childshare.org.
We moms were able to do our part to help Child S.H.A.R.E. by crafting blankets for teen foster children. It was an easy chore, sitting around fuzzy fleece fabric and tying knots out of the pre-cut fringes. In no time, we had ten colorful blankets that will soon be given out to foster children.
Later, Margo Pehlivanos, the Director of Sunrise Preschool, came to talk to us about kindergarten readiness. For many public and private schools, now is the time to register your child for the 2011-2012 school year. Parents should keep in mind that kindergarten is not what it used to be when we were children. With today's high demands on schoolchildren to know and learn more, the days of naps and coloring and playing are over. State standards make our little ones work harder than ever when they enter kindergarten. Therefore, every parent needs to decide if her child is ready for kindergarten, or if he/she could use "the gift of another year" spent in preschool. For those parents who are on the fence, it is a good idea to talk to your child's preschool teacher. The teacher can give her advice and recommendation as to what will be best for your child. We all want our children to succeed, and sometimes the "gift" of time can make the difference!
Our morning was rounded out with another $1 sale - this time featuring books. Thank you, ladies, for your generous donations and purchases; we made $190! All of it will be used towards PazNaz MOPS scholarships, childcare worker payments, crafts, special events and guest speakers. Unsold books were donated to Sierra Madre and Monrovia public libraries, so we have given back to the community as well.Also, thank you for contributing to our "Change for change" program at every MOPS meeting. The coins you donate really do add up, and are used to help our own MOPS moms when they are in need.
We look forward to seeing you at our next MOPS meeting on March 25th!
