Page 6 - 2018 Annual Report Flip

A Mother’s Thoughts

At Jack & Jill Children’s Center, we work to strengthen families, while also giving
caregivers/parents and children the skills they need to be successful in life. We support
families during challenging times, encourage/highlight their hard work and celebrate their
successes. Here we are highlighting, Natalee and her son Dantonio. They have been at
Jack & Jill Children’s Center since January of 2015. In that time, Natalee has actively
enriched her family by participating in courses as part of our two-generation approach
to education. Those courses include the Nurturing Parenting Series, the First Time Home
Buyer’s Series, and FLIPANY’s Cooking Matters Series. Jack & Jill Children’s Center
connected her to Miami Herald’s Wishbook Foundation, so that her family was adopted
during the holiday season. Jack & Jill assisted her with resume writing and provided
emergency assistance to her family. She has also accessed our food and clothing pantry,
the Jack & Jill Boutique.

Together we work hard to ensure her family reaches their full potential. In her own
words, this is her story:

"My name is Natalee. My son’s name is Dantonio and he is 6 years old and in first grade at
Jack & Jill Elementary School. His dream is to graduate, go to college and become an
FBI Agent. I know he will accomplish this dream because of the support he gets from Jack
& Jill Children’s Center.

As a single mother, education is very important to me. Jack & Jill provides that
cost effective education that will not break my pockets. I could not imagine enrolling my
son anywhere else. I love Jack & Jill. The classes are smaller and their focus is always
education. The teachers and team members are always professional and willing to go the
extra mile to provide help wherever needed. I am raising a successful young man and
with my morals, as well as the educational skills and values he gets at Jack & Jill
Elementary School, I know Dantonio will be great.

We are forever thankful that we have the opportunity to attend this school. We need
more schools like this in our community. Jack & Jill Children’s Center has helped my
family to thrive."
Family Strengthening Program

Jack & Jill’s comprehensive Family Strengthening Program is designed to strengthen low income, at-risk
families by providing intensive parent education, individual and family therapy, a food and clothing bank, and
an emergency assistance fund. Through this program, families increase financial stability, maintain
employment, achieve job advancement, decrease the risk for incidences of abuse and neglect, and foster
their child’s healthy growth and development. As a result, parents gain confidence, children perform and
behave better at home and in the classroom, and families function at higher levels of stability.