Parent Classroom Volunteers Earn Holiday Shopping Spree

December 17, 2009

Renee Johnson,
Director of Media and Public Relations
(410) 547-5436, cell (410) 816-6152
rjohnson@cc-md.org

On Saturday, December 19 the parents of 250 children who attend St. Jerome’s Head Start will line-up outside its doors to await the 8 a.m. opening of the 17h annual holiday Superstore. St. Jerome’s, located at 765 West Hamburg Street, is a Catholic Charities-run program where low-income, pre-school children are taught early education fundamentals. Shopping hours are from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

The center’s multi-purpose room will be transformed into a SuperStore filled with tables of donated toys and racks of winter clothing. Parents will redeem vouchers they earned by volunteering at the Head Start program throughout the school year. Parents are rewarded for playing an active role in their child’s education
Many of the children’s parents have a limited education and are initially reluctant to participate in the classroom, feeling they have little to contribute. Parents who serve as classroom aides receive vouchers for hours served that are redeemed at the SuperStore. Most parents continue their involvement throughout the school year once they discover the rewards of being active participants in their child’s educational process.

Family Services Coordinator Marsha Dawson says, “Our goal is to partner with our families so that we focus on their strengths and to show that a hand up goes a lot farther than a hand out.”

SuperStore is made possible through donations by individuals and local businesses.

Catholic Charities is Maryland’s leading nonprofit provider of human services, welcoming and serving people of all faiths and races who are in need. We are rooted in faith and have a rich history of effective programs that significantly improve the lives of children and families, seniors, the disadvantaged, and people with developmental disabilities.

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