Summertime… and the living is… strategic! |
Parenting Now recently adopted a new strategic plan for the next three years. The past year has given us new insights into the needs of families, and to that end we’ll be rolling out a hybrid plan for our parenting groups.
We will be offering in-person groups (Squishtivities!) in the next few months and continue to offer virtual options as well. While many adults are vaccinated, so far, those under 12, the core age of the children in the families we serve, are still not eligible for the vaccine. Until those children are eligible and the pandemic recedes, we know that families will need both virtual and in-person programming.
We also recognize the deep need for creating an equitable, welcoming space for BIPOC families and will be working to ensure our services are a safe and welcoming space for all.
Lastly, we’re announcing new Professional Development offerings for our suite of Parenting Education trainings, including online workshops and more.
All this is in response to the dramatic shifts in our world this past year. I hope you are also able to take time in the next few months to assess what is important in your lives and to strategically align with what you need for a healthy, happy path forward.
Lynne Grilley
Executive Director
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Join us for a summer of fun, during Parenting Now's Summer
Squishtivities Series!
Families are invited to join us for free sensory activities and messy play in our outdoor play area from 10 am to 11 am every Tuesday this summer. Families will also take home a Squishtivities handbook with lots of ideas for sensory exploration!
August 3: Paper Roll Binoculars
August 10: Sponge Painting
August 17: Trace and Color Me August 24: Foil Leaves
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Thank you to our generous sponsor:
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On the Blog
Playtime and quiet time for baby
As a new parent, you may feel inundated with information about stimulating your baby’s budding brain with interactive toys, books, things to look at, etc. But just as important as stimulating playtime is quiet time for your baby to reflect and recharge. Learning how to balance the two is something all families can benefit from. Read more
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On the Blog
Ways to support your emotional health
Stress, we all handle it differently. And we all do better when we know some ways to deal with it. Parenting Now’s Make Parenting A Pleasure program helps support parents who are experiencing high levels of stress by helping them identify ways to manage stressful moments during the day. Read more
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Volunteer Spotlight:
Christy Rigopoulos

This spring, Parenting Now was lucky to have Christy Rigopoulos as one of our stellar interns. Christy, a senior at the UO, worked hard to support our local, deserving families by coordinating a Healthy Families Care Package fundraiser. She raised over $850!
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Meet the Board:
Andrea Ash
This past year, Andrea Ash has served as Parenting Now's Board President. During this time, Andrea provided leadership and guidance through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as helped shape the agency's 3-year Strategic Plan. We can't thank her enough for all she brings to Parenting Now's Board of Directors.
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Program Spotlight: Resources for Families |
Parenting Now is proud to share its 2021 Resources for Families Guide! For over 35 years, Parenting Now has published an annual guide for the local community to find the services that they need.
The Resources for Families wall poster, booklet, and website offer parents a one-stop shop for programs, services, and assistance available to families in Lane County.
Parents use Resources for Families to connect with organizations and agencies that can help them raise their children to be healthy, happy, and ready to succeed in school and in life. It lists services from public and private organizations, faith-based and secular groups, and providers large and small. Resources for Families contains everything from basic needs to pregnancy and childbirth support to substance abuse and recovery.
The Resources for Families guide can be found online at resources.parentingnow.org or in a PDF format here— available in both English and Spanish.
Parenting Now distributes 21,000 Resources for Families booklets and wall posters each year. Every parent who delivers a baby through the local hospitals and birthing centers receives a booklet. In addition, wall posters and booklets go to public health nurses, obstetricians and pediatricians, social service agencies, schools, and many other individuals who use Resources for Families as a valuable referral resource for the families they serve.
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Updates From the
Development Team
Summertime is one of our favorite times to say THANK YOU at Parenting Now!
The Development team is so grateful for the amazing support that we have received from our community throughout the past winter and spring. Your generosity truly makes positive impacts for families in our community!
This past year, Parenting Now has served thousands of local families during one of the most stressful times to be a parent. We adapted our programs and provided parenting education to our local families – virtual style! Families that participate in our programming, whether in-person or via Zoom, leave more connected and better equipped to provide nurturing and skilled parenting.
Click here to view our Annual Report of Services for last year.
We are excited to announce a $6,000 donation challenge from Our Community Thrives!
Help us knock this challenge out of the park by donating via our Mightycause page from now until August 13th to be a part of the challenge!
Supporters like you help us create a strong and healthy community where families can thrive.
Your generosity is critical, and we couldn’t do it without you! Give now to help us meet the donation challenge!
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Ways to Support Parenting Now this Summer
• Purchase a cotton face mask with the Parenting Now logo! Now is your chance to support Parenting Now while staying safe and healthy! $12.00 each (includes shipping). Click here to purchase yours now!
• 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!
Thank you again for partnering with us to support our community. From all of us at Parenting Now, have a wonderful summertime ahead!
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Thank you, Foundations!
Foundation support helps ensure that families have access to parenting education. Thank you for supporting local families and valuing parenting education!
• LaneKids, Make Parenting A Pleasure in Florence
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