Even Start

Even Start empowers parents to work more effectively for and with their children, and reinforces the role of parents as their children’s first teachers. The program integrates early childhood education, adult literacy, parenting education, and interactive parent and child literacy activities.

The goals of the Even Start are to:

  • Improve adult literacy
  • Encourage parents to become part of their child’s educational process
  • Help children become good learners.


While their pre-school aged children (ages 3 to 5) are immersed in fun, educational activities, parents work with tutors and receive individualized instruction to achieve their educational goals. Adults may improve their language capabilities, pursue their GED, and learn computer, employability, and parenting skills.
 
Time in the Even Start program is regularly schedule for parents to learn and play together. PACT (Parents and Children Time) builds bonds within the family and enhances parents’ awareness of how their children learn.

Parents must enroll in the Even Start adult education classes in order for their children to participate in the pre-school program. Free breakfast and lunch are provided for the children, and free transportation is also available if needed. Pending vacancies in the program, parents may enroll at any time during the school year.

 

Original Testimonials from SCLC’s Family Literacy Participants

*Content is intentionally displayed as written by participants*

1) My name is Rosemarie. I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to be in this program. I never thought I’d be able to get a GED while having a 3-year-old son and a job to juggle. But, because of your Even Start program, I’m able to learn at the same time my son does.

Your program is amazing! We have a great support group here and the children just adore each other. The teachers are so smart and make learning fun We especially enjoy the field trips! We are very thankful for this program. 

The Even Start Parenting Class has been such a blessing for my family and I. All the parents in the class are so supportive. We’re not told how to take care of our children but we’re given advice that every first time parent seeks. Every new stage of your child life is a new stage of yours child’s life is a new stage of yours also, and sometimes it can be a scary thing, especially for a first time parent, but in our parenting class you will find that some of the parents have been through what you’re going through. Not only will you get great advice but you’ll also get fun tips on how to interface and play with your child.  ~Rosie

2) The Even Start Program, I think is a wonderful program that offers a good opportunity to study and get your GED while your preschool age children attend their school.

Once a week while in this program we have parenting class time. Many people would think that parenting class is someone telling you how to be a parent or what to do, but in all reality this is a time we all get together discussing parenting issues and hear from each other about situations, examples, and solutions.

A great example of something that we discussed was bullying. It made me think of my 4yr old daughter that is extremely shy and how she would handle any type of bullying. After the session we discussed it at home that evening as a family explaining to my daughter “that you should always be nice to others and if others are mean, hurtful to your feelings or rude you should tell someone.” She says “She will…and that she knows you should be nice.” This was a topic I had not thought anything about since she is only 4 yrs old and very shy to talk to others.  ~Jennifer

3) My name is Tracy Sherman. I would like to thank you for accepting me into the Even Start Program. I love how my child can learn and at the same time I can too. My son and I have benefited from the program.

The Even Start Program has made a positive impact on my son and I. We have a parenting class on every Thursday. I’m always open to learn more ways to enjoy my son and get to know him more. We’re taught how to deal with situations that arise or how to just have fun with activities to do with your child that also teaches the something at the same time. ~Tracy

4) My name is James Volland; I would like to thank you for accepting me into the Even Start Program. I really enjoy the time that Trinity and I spend together on field trips, class time at the school and the fact that both Trinity and I are in school at the same time.

Having five kids you think you know everything about parenting. But you find out you forget the small things, like in parenting class we talk about making time to talk to your kids. Plus other thing you just forget about. My son and I went on a trip to Chicago and I had him put his game down and I turned off the radio so we could talk, we had a great time doing this. ~James

5) My name is Angie Dirrim. I just wanted to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to be involved in this program. I’ve wanted to get to get my GED for years now but being a single mom there was no way until I found out about this program. Thank you so much. This program is going to change my life.

6) Thanks to Steuben County Literacy Coalition for giving me the direction I needed to finally obtain my G.E.D. My son and I have been a part of the Even Start program, and we both absolutely love the teachers and staff. We just started the program in April, and I tested in may, and found out in June that I not only passed my G.E.D. test but that I also obtained an honor diploma! Thank you so much for everything that you do with this program and my son and I can’t wait to return in the fall to further our education! I would have been lost without you (Even Start)!   ~Kris

7) In May of this year I braved the dreaded G.E.D. test and I must say Sharon and Keith (two of the best teachers you could have) really prepared me for the test. I however did not listen to most everyone in class teachers included and stressed pretty bad about the test. I froze on the math part and so I did not do as well as I had wanted to do. I did pass my test and feel so much better now that its done and over with. I really wish I had done better but for my kids I can now move on to my bigger goal at hand which is college I hope to start sometime this fall. I am a very undecided person about everything I do and so I still do not know what college I will go to or what I would like to do but I am for sure going. For me taking my test was to make my life better for my kids and I. I feel I am well on my way. The best advice I can give to others who are getting ready to take the test is to take a deep breath and relax its not as bad as you are fearing it is and Keith and Sharon are the best teachers to have. Good Luck   ~Bobbie

For more information on Even Start, please call us today at (260) 665-1414.