The Parenting Support Service is a curated 23-class curriculum for moms and dads that focuses on the essential parenting knowledge and life skills needed to parent positively. The Parenting Support courses teach about 30 participants topics in emotional regulation, school involvement, abuse and violence, mental health, communication, legal issues, budgeting and finance, and more! Topics are taught in an engaging group learning environment that promotes dialogue and support among participants, allowing them to learn from each other and engage with the content rather than relying on traditional lectures. And they always start with a warm, nourishing meal.
St. Joseph’s Parenting Center has always seen food as an essential part of their work. Providing meals before class reduces stress so parents aren’t rushing to feed themselves and their families. It also provides additional support for those who are financially struggling and in need of hunger relief.
In Danbury, every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., staff, volunteers, class participants, and their children—even family members who may be there for support or as transportation help—join together for a hot meal. Like any dinner table, it’s a time for them to catch up on what’s happened over the week, build relationships, and even enjoy presentations from the community to keep them informed on opportunities or services they can access. After dinner, parent participants go to class to foster strong families while child care is provided to keep youth engaged and cared for during class.
Before Second Chance Foods started cooking the meals for the Danbury SJPC in July, meals were provided by staff, volunteers, or sometimes a local restaurant would fill. There was a lot of coordinating, and the team was always trying to figure out where the next meal would come from. Now, all Marc has to do on Tuesdays is drive to Second Chance Foods, pull the trays of nourishing meals made especially for SJPC, and reheat them before class. This takes the stress off his staff and volunteers and allows them to focus on everything else that makes their programming possible. Though providing meals has always been a part of SJPC’s class structure, Marc has noticed a difference since Second Chance Foods started taking over the cooking.
Marc also said that participants have requested recipes after the meals. A recent favorite was our Spaghetti Squash Taco Bake with layers of spaghetti squash, taco meat, roasted tomatoes, beans, and cheese on top! Other meals include: Pesto Chicken with Vegetables and Fettuccine and Garlic Knots; Steak and Pepper Teriyaki; Butternut Lasagna and many more delicious and nutritious meals made with love and care.
What sets the SJPC partnership apart is their commitment to supporting Second Chance Foods as much as they are supported through weekly meals. Marc has helped get Second Chance Foods kitchen equipment and padded chairs from a restaurant going out of business. They also pass along fresh produce they can’t utilize before it goes bad or other food that needs the care of the Second Chance Kitchen to cook.
Saint Joseph Parenting Center’s vision is that all children live in a world free of child abuse and neglect.With that vision in mind, its mission is to strengthen families that are at risk of child abuse and neglect, by providing parenting education and support. They equip parents with the education, tools and resources to change unhealthy parenting patterns and to foster healthy ones in an effort to decrease the incidence of child abuse and neglect. SJPC is located in Danbury and Stamford, and recently opened a Bridgeport service center.
Other Programs- In addition to the weekly parenting classes, SJPC offers Dads Are the Different (DAD) an evidence based 12-class curriculum designed by the National Fatherhood Initiative emphasizing the importance of the father in a child’s life and The Women’s Circle, an 8-class course focused on gather of mothers and teaching them self care.
Volunteers are a critical part of the SJPC community, bringing their time, experience, and energy to the parenting programs and community events. SJPC is always looking for parenting class facilitators to share their knowledge and experiences. The time commitment is flexible; you only have to commit to two classes twice a year (but can always do more). Volunteers can request to teach a topic they have a professional background in, like finance, or lead any topic they find interesting.
Volunteers receive full training on the material over Zoom or in person. They also receive a facilitator’s guide and activities in advance (including a PowerPoint) so they can review everything and get comfortable with how a night should look.
Though we wish we could supply food to everyone in need, Second Chance Foods cannot provide meals or groceries directly to individuals. Our solution is to collaborate with existing programs in the community and supplement their food with our meals and groceries. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please refer to our resource page here for our partnerships and local options.
120 Marvin Ave
Brewster, NY 10509
Volunteer Questions contact Volunteer Coordinator Melissa Paladino 845-723-1309
For all other questions please contact us at 845-723-1315
