ABC Headstart Annual Report 2013 - 2014 (November 2013) | Page 12

annual report What you will notice the minute you walk into the centre during the Kitchen Project is the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen and then you will hear the parents laughter and chatter as they cook. It is quite incredible to watch the stress and anxiety melt away as the parents enter the space. They are learning from each other and the parents who kitchen project have limited english language can share their skills with the parents in a different way. Not only are parents learning how to prepare nutritious meals for their families but they are sharing all sorts of wonderful knowledge, everything from parenting tips to how to The Kitchen Project – Creating a Community Kitchen access community resources. The committed staff of ABC Head Start are constantly searching for ways to serve our families in more meaningful ways and strengthen communities. With “outside of the box,” innovative thinking, the ideas come to life. An example of this was our very And in the process of cooking together they have really become a family. At one session a parent could not attend because she was home with her sick children. The other parents decided to make an extra meal and deliver it to the family. The parent receiving successful Kitchen Project. the meal was overwhelmed with gratitude and was so touched that the other parents Two employees with a knack for community partnership, Teresa Ebbert & Paula Jaramillo, decided to try something brand new at ABC Head Start. Through a would consider doing such a wonderful thing for her family. What an amazing example of community being created through something as simple as a kitchen. partnership with Edmonton Catholic Schools we are able to utilize the new, beautiful kitchen space in their One World One Centre location to bring parents together once a month to learn about nutrition and cook a meal for their families. Knowing the barriers for most families living on limited income, ABC Head Start provided transportation as Of course this Kitchen Project does not come without costs, but after seeing the outcomes for families the program really is priceless. We are extremely grateful to the EPCOR Community Essentials Council for providing us with the grant funding to keep this vital program going and creating strong families and strong communities. well as child care. ABC Headstart Annual Report 2012 - 2013 ABC Headstart Annual Report 2012 - 2013 12 13