Greetings and Farewells
Happy summer! I have exciting news for all of you! Parenting Now has found our next Executive Director – Theya Joslin. Theya is a lifelong resident of Lane County. She holds a Master's of Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon. She has nearly 15 years of professional and volunteer experience serving the community in both the nonprofit and public sectors. In her personal life, Theya enjoys all the beauty Oregon has to offer while she is backpacking, snowshoeing, or kayaking with her husband. Her biggest challenge and greatest joy is raising her two amazing teenagers.
Stay tuned for more information about Theya and opportunities to get to meet her as she paves new paths into the future. Theya takes over September 1st. I look forward to rooting her on from the sidelines and seeing how her vision will grow and evolve our agency to even better serve the families in our community and beyond. Welcome, Theya!
And farewell from me. Leading Parenting Now and meeting all of you has been an amazing experience for me, professionally and personally. I’ve been moved and inspired, working with our dedicated staff, our perceptive and nimble Board and seeing true philanthropy from our donors and funders. I will miss seeing the families we serve – especially the babies! Thank you all for moving our mission forward – so that all children are raised by nurturing, skilled caregivers.
Lynne Grilley
Executive Director
|
|
We Are Excited to Share That Baby Connection Returns In-Person on August 10!
This popular program is a free gathering for infant lactation and feeding support. Families with children under 1 year of age can have their baby weighed, discuss infant development topics with Parenting Educators, and socialize with other parents. For the in-person option, Baby Connection will be set up in Parenting Now's outdoor space under pop-up tents. There will be water misters available on hots days.
Baby Connection is offered every Wednesday from 11 am to 12 pm. Our in-person option for Lane County families is located at the Parenting Now building (86 Centennial Loop in Eugene). Free to attend!
Baby Connection will continue to offer its virtual option over Zoom, expanding its reach to all families throughout Oregon and beyond. So whether you live in Oregon or Oklahoma, families with children under 1 year of age can receive lactation or feeding support and connect with other families. Please email enroll@parentingnow.org or call 541-434-4343 to register for the virtual option.
|
|
Do You Remember Sally Weston?
Sally Weston volunteered with Birth to Three during the 1980s. She helped teen moms get to doctor's appointments and run other important errands. She visited teens and babies in their homes, listened to the moms’ challenges and concerns, and celebrated their triumphs with them. Sally passed away on May 14, 2022. She championed mothers and babies her whole life. Anyone who knew Sally is welcome to attend the Celebration of Life for her at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts (in the Studio, downstairs), at 10:30 am on Wednesday, November 16. Anyone who remembers Sally well, please contact Sally’s daughter Paige, who would very much like to hear from you.
|
|
|
|
On the Blog
Water Play STEAM Activities
Summer is great for using your outside space or park to get your kids outside exploring and trying new things. Water play is fun, messy, and full of opportunities to incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) into your play time. Here are some of my favorite water play ideas. Read more
|
|
On the Blog
Tips To Keep Your Child’s Skin Protected
There are some aspects of sun exposure that can be unsafe for our skin. Let’s take a moment to remember some safe practices as we get ready to frolic in the sun.
|
|
|
SQUISHTIVITIES CRAFT:
Paper Bag Kites
Summertime means kites! You and your child will enjoy making this fun kite out of things you find at home.
You Will Need:
• Brown paper grocery bag – large
• Paper hole punch
• Masking tape
• Glue
• Crepe paper, cotton balls, paper shapes
• Strong string
• Small paper roll
Punch two holes about 2 inches from the edge of each long side of the bag that are reinforced with masking tape.
Cut two lengths of string about 24 inches long and thread one through each end of the bag through holes, front and back.
|
|
Tie the ends together to create a large loop at each end of the sack. Now cut a longer string, several feet long. Thread one end through the two loops and tie the loops together. Now tape the other end of the long string onto a small paper roll and wind the string up.
Decorate your paper bag kite with anything you have available, such as crepe paper streamers, cotton balls, paper shapes, etc.
|
|
Handpicked by the children's librarians at Eugene Public Library, here are their summer book recommendations!
A Beach Tail, written by Karen Lynn Williams, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. When his father tells him not to leave the lion he is drawing on the beach, a little boy starts making a very, very long tail--and a trail to follow back.
Ice Cream and Dinosaurs, written by Eric Litwin, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Groovy Joe is a fun-loving dog with a tub full of ice cream--which he shares with his unexpected dinosaur guests.
Jabari Jumps, written and illustrated by Gaia Cornwall. A sweet, appealing tale of overcoming your fears.
Summer Song, written by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek. Illustrations and easy-to-read text introduce the colors, songs, and activities of summer.
When Lola Visits, written by Michelle Sterling, illustrated by Aaron Asis. An evocative picture book brimming with the scents, tastes, and traditions that define a young girl's summer with her grandmother.
|
|
Imagination Library:
Now for All Lane County
All Lane County families are now eligible to participate in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The service promotes reading and learning by sending young children a new book in the mail every month, free of charge. Sign up at imaginationlibrary.com
|
|
MEET THE TEAM:
Learn more about the individuals who make the magic happen at Parenting Now
|
|
 |
CAT LUNA
Development Manager
Cat loves people and learning. She is a mother of three and grew up as the youngest in a large, low-income family with nine kids! She is passionate about supporting others in the pursuit of a better life and creating equity in higher education.
“I’m on the extroverted end of the personality spectrum and can’t wait for more in-person events where I can connect face to face with individuals!” Cat believes in the power of storytelling and would love to hear from YOU about your experiences with Parenting Now. If you have anything you would like to share, please email Cat at cluna@parentingnow.org.
|
|
|
|
SEAN COHEN
Parenting Educator
Sean started his career in child development at Cal Poly Humboldt, engaging in several service orientated jobs like street outreach and service learning coordination. Upon graduation, Sean and his wife joined the Peace Corps where they served two years in Yambol, Bulgaria. There, he worked in a center for social support, a day center for children with special needs, and a home for children denied parental care. Sean has also worked at Head Start in Portland, and Google's Children Center in Mountain View California. Sean just recently became a father, and we are thrilled to have him on our team.
|
|
|
|
WAYS TO SUPPORT PARENTING NOW THIS SUMMER
• AmazonSmile donates to Parenting Now when you shop through its website! Create an AmazonSmile account at smile.amazon.com and select Parenting Now! as your charity of choice.
• Donate Items for Families: Diapers, baby supplies, and children’s books!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
