MOTHER'S CLUB FAMILY LEARNING CENTER980 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, California 91103
Tel: (626) 792-2687
www.mothersclub.org
Susan Kujawa, Executive Director
Sarah E. Orth, Development Director
Founded in 1961, Mothers' Club Family Learning Center prepares families who are overwhelmed by poverty, lack of education, language barriers and inadequate social support to succeed in school and in life through two-generation learning programs. They promote strong parent-child relationships and encourage friendship and mutual support among mothers through their educational programs and social services, thereby creating a strong community for all families. The Mothers' Club programs are built on two guiding principles: in order for significant, long-term change to occur within a family, you must reach both parent and child and educate them together; and, the most critical time to reach a family is when children are proven to be most vulnerable and impressionable, between birth and 5 years-old.
Their holistic model is designed to ensure that children are developmentally on track; increase the school-readiness of children who are at-risk for failure in school; increase parenting skills and adult literacy levels; teach parents to be active advocates for and participants in their children's learning; and to prevent neglect and abuse by supporting the overall well-being of families with very young children.
Over the last ten years, Mothers' Club has emerged as a model, recognized for their best practices in parent engagement and education, for two-generation learning strategies for at-risk parents and children, and for a high-quality early childhood development environment and curriculum. Their most recent award came in September 2009, when the California Community Foundation and The Eisner Foundation honored Mothers' Club with a top award in education for innovation, resilience and impact in improving the quality of life for low-income L.A. residents
The Atlas Family Foundation funds Mothers' Clubs' "Two Generation Learning Program for Low-Income Parents and their Children, ages 0-3". Mothers' Club provides center-based infant/toddler programming to more than 60 children ages 0-3 each year. Their learning is guided by a staff of professional teachers who create a nurturing and stimulating environment, promoting healthy social/emotional development and the acquisition of cognitive skills and motor skills. Simultaneously, the mothers are engaged in their own learning at our center. Parenting classes develop confidence. Parents are taught about their babies' early developmental needs and promote bonding with their babies. They learn the value of reading with their children and strategies to support their children's growth and development. Adult education classes develop life skills and increase education levels - both of which contribute to the stability and health of the whole family.
Recent AFF grant:
$40,000, September 2010
