Supporting Each Other

Paterson Family Center

The Paterson Family Center (NJCDC’s preschool program) understands that to support a child’s development you must also support the family. PFC Caring Families is a monthly meeting that acts much like a support group for the parents whose children attend the Paterson Family Center.

Each month has a different discussion topic concerning the development of their children. In January the topic of discussion was “Building Self-Esteem”. The discussion reached beyond the children’s self-esteem issues and began to address the parents’ self-esteem.

One parent became overwhelmed with emotion and began to cry while speaking of the hardships she is facing as a parent. With great compassion and empathy, the other parents comforted her and began to open up and share their own experiences with the group. Many of them gave her their phone numbers and offered their friendship and help beyond the monthly meetings.

I suppose the most miraculous piece of this story is that it was only the third meeting of the PFC Caring Families group. Not only are they bonding and supporting one another, but as a group they are defining their focus and even creating a recruitment plan. I am thrilled to see their dedication and enthusiasm and am proud of what I already know they will accomplish together.