Local & State Communities of Practice

One organization that would serve as a positive community of practice is PEP, a Parent Encouragement Program.  Its focus is to build positive, healthy relationships between adults, parents, teachers, and children through training, discussion and support.  The organization is a non-profit and offers a variety of services, classes, and one on one consultation for parents and lectures.  PEP services are geared towards adults raising and working with children ages 1 ½ year olds to 12 year olds.  The appeal to this organization is that it examines individuals from a holistic point of view stating that human beings need to viewed as whole beings and that they are ever changing and developing.  At the core is viewing others and their behaviors from their point of view, taking a perspective different from our own.  To understand our ever changing diverse communities and families, we have to step back from ourselves in order to gain greater understanding of what needs to be met and what methods must be put into place to meet the needs of everyone involved.  This organization is also a wonderful resource for parents and families of all structures to further develop their parenting and interacting skills.  At this time there are no employment opportunities. 

I live in Montgomery County Maryland, one of the richest counties in the country, however people are still going hungry, especially young children.  Within my own preschool community, I work with teachers and families who are on various ends of the economic spectrum, however many of my teachers and families are living below the poverty line.  “There are thousands of people in Montgomery County relying on emergency food programs to put food on the table for their families” (Manna Food Center). Another organization I have chosen is the Manna Food Center whose mission is to eradicate hunger in the Montgomery County area.  It serves area food banks as well as elementary school children in the area through its weekend Smart Sacks Initiative, providing children with backpacks full of nutritious foods every Friday so that they have food to eat over the weekend.  The organization is not just about providing food for the poverty stricken members of the community, including soup kitchens, group homes, shelters and food pantries, but to provide education regarding hunger and poverty as well as to be an advocacy voice in the community.  Working with young children, it is important to understand the ill effects hunger can have a child’s development.  The impact is great, effecting social/emotional, cognitive and physical development causing poor learning academic outcomes (Manna Food Center). Although Manna Food Center is not hiring, there is a long list of volunteer opportunities that range from sorting food and packing boxes with food to Manna Ambassadors who go out into the community to raise awareness about poverty and hunger in the area.  The skill set is based on one’s desire to participate. 

One last organization that would serve as useful, educational community of practice is Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), a non-profit organization located in Washington, DC.   The organization promotes the positive well being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons while also providing “support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights” (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).  Through the website one can find appropriate terms, answers to questions and facts, family stories and experiences as well as information for parents of gay and lesbian children.  An area of interest to me was on creating safe schools for our children; “9 out of 10 LGBT students experience some form of mistreatment in school” (PFLAG).  Some of the professional opportunities include Corporate Foundation Coordinator, Planned Giving Officer and Chapter Services Coordinator.  The jobs require a financial piece with a focus on giving funds that I do not have nor have in interest in.  In addition, I would need to expand my resource base of organizations in order to be effective in these positions.

These organizations, although varied are useful resources in my work.  It is important to know where and how to direct families and educators to find support, help and information. All families, regardless of culture or family structure need to know how to cope and work within a society that is different and at times intentionally and unintentionally cruel.  The organizations are also useful tools for me to grow not only in my knowledge but to grow in terms of future resources in my work.  I too can be a voice at the opposite end of the table representing young children, teachers and families. 

Resources

Parent Encouragement Program (PEP). http://www.pepparent.org/

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).  http://community.pflag.org/

Manna Food Center. http://www.mannafood.org/