From the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh's newsletter:
HACP’s Virtual Parenting Program has given another group of parents, guardians and caregivers the tools to tackle the challenges associated with raising children.
Twenty-three graduates were recognized during a graduation ceremony in November 2023 after completing the six-week virtual course that teaches participants everything from positive parenting, trauma and healing, financial literacy and eating healthy on a budget.
International parenting coach, educator and psychotherapist Dr. Carol Chakua was a new speaker added to the lineup, and her program was very well received.
“Everyone really enjoyed what she taught them,” Mungereza Mayende, clinical coordinator and referral manager in HACP’s Residential Self-Sufficiency department, said. “She brought a whole new element to the program in helping parents to believe in themselves, and to parent differently from the way they were parented, especially where there was trauma involved.”
Mayende developed the program for HACP’s Low-Income Public Housing residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. With financial support from Highmark Wholecare, classes began in August 2022.
“The success of this program means a lot to me,” she said. “I have seen our graduates grow into a resource for their children and become someone they can depend on, and parent them without the trauma. It’s helping to heal the world, one child at a time.”
Participating LIPH residents are also given a stipend, books on parenting and other goodies for completing the course, such as Giant Eagle gift cards for purchasing healthy foods.
Participants are also encouraged to share feedback to let HACP know which topics they are most interested in learning more about. They have expressed interest in learning ways to respond to their children without yelling and budgeting as a single parent, among other topics.
Mayende is excited to see what the future will bring to the program, and hopes to see it continue to grow. She added it’s encouraging to see more single fathers enrolling in the class, noting the first cohort welcomed one single father and the November class enrolled seven.
“I’m hoping to introduce new subjects, including one portion that focuses on single parenting and parenting in a blended family,” she said. “I would also like one class to focus specifically on trauma, whether it’s to help parents who have lost another child be present for their other children or helping children who have experienced trauma in their lives.”
The next Virtual Parenting Program cohort is planned for mid-March 2024, and 16 residents are already signed up. The class can now accommodate 30 participants, which has doubled since its inception.
Karen Rollins-Fitch, Highmark’s Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, said Highmark Wholecare is proud to support HACP’s Virtual Parenting Program.
“Highmark Wholecare is happy to support initiatives like the parenting classes that are provided at HACP. When looking at whole person care, well informed parents make a difference in the lives of well cared for children, which results in an improved community. Highmark Wholecare focuses on physical health, but the wellbeing of the needs in mental, and financial health, are just as important,” she said.
The program is open to all parents, grandparents, guardians and caregivers of children under age 18. At least one parent, guardian or caregiver must be listed on an HACP lease in order to enroll.