Connecting For Children And Families Inc

THE MISSION OF CONNECTING FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IS TO SERVE WOONSOCKET AND NORTHERN RI BY PROVIDING FAMILY-CENTERED PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT EMPOWER CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO THRIVE AND SUCCEED.

OUT OF SCHOOL TIME: OUT OF SCHOOL TIME SERVICES OFFER AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS AT SIX ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL SITES TO 1,492 STUDENTS DURING THE YEAR. ACADEMIC SUPPORT INCLUDES HOMEWORK CLUBS WITH A PRIMARY FOCUS ON LITERACY AND MATH. ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE ART, THEATER, STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH), SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SERVICE LEARNING, LEADERSHIP, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, CAREER EXPLORATION AS WELL AS FINANCIAL LITERACY. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS PARENT WORKSHOPS ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: CCF OFFERS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES YEAR-ROUND. OUR NORTHERN RI CAREER ACADEMY RUNS 8-WEEK COHORTS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN BANKING, CUSTOMER SERVICE, CALL CENTER AND THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY. THESE COHORTS TARGET UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS AND ASSIST WITH THE BARRIER THEY HAVE THAT HAVE KEPT THEM OUT OF THE WORKFORCE. WE ALSO OFFER 1 ON 1 AND SMALL GROUP SUPPORT ON RESUME WRITING, INTERVIEW SKILLS, COVER LETTERS, CREDIT & BUDGETING, GOAL SETTING, JOB SEARCH AND NETWORKING. EACH OF THESE PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE SELF-REFLECTION; INSTILL CONFIDENCE AND REINFORCE THE CHANGE PROCESS. THE GOAL FOR OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WORK IS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN SECURING A LIVING WAGE JOB AND RETAINING THEIR EMPLOYMENT.

EARLY LEARNING: CCF'S HOPE ST. EARLY LEARNING CENTER IS A 5 STAR PROGRAM AS DESIGNATED BY RI BRIGHTSTAR PROGRAM. THIS DESIGNATION SIGNIFIES THE HIGHEST QUALITY IN THE STATE. WE SERVE CHILDREN FROM 18 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS OLD IN OUR TODDLER, PRESCHOOL AND PRE-K CLASSROOMS. THE CHAPLIN BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH AGE 12. BOTH PROGRAMS ACCEPT THE RI CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND ARE PART OF THE CHILDCARE FOOD PROGRAM. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE WORKING FAMILIES A SAFE, NURTURING, AND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR CHILDREN. OUR THREE PRE-K CLASSROOMS AE FUNDED WITH A GRANT FROM RI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND GIVE EACH STUDENT A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR SCHOOL SUCESS.

FAMILY SUPPORT: CCF'S FRONT STREET FAMILY CENTER IS THE HUB OF OUR FAMILY SUPPORT WORK. OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS (CHWS) AND OUR PARENTS AS TEACHERS, PARENT EDUCATORS PARTNER WITH FAMILIES TO BUILD POSITIVE PARENTING SKILLS, SET GOALS FOCUSED ON THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES. SERVICES INCLUDE FOOD, CLOTHING AND BASIC NEEDS, RENTAL, UTILITY AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, ASSISTANCE IN NAVIGATING IMMIGRATION AND OTHER LEGAL MATTERS AS WELL AS SUPPORT WITH STATE BENEFITS THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR. THE FRONT STREET FAMILY CENTER ALSO HOUSES OUR MARKETPLACE, WHERE FAMILIES "SHOP" FOR FOOD AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS; AND OUR SUCCESSWEAR BOUTIQUE WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL LOOKING TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE AND IS IN NEED OF APPROPRIATE INTERVIEW CLOTHING.