PEPPI Head Start to Participate in Fun Day in the Park

7 April 2010

BELLE GLADE – Children and staff from Lutheran Services Florida’s PEPPI Head Start Child Development Center will participate in “Fun Day in the Park” on April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PEPPI (Preschool Enrichment Program with Parental Involvement) will join with other preschool and child care agencies in Western Palm Beach County at this Children’s Day event at Paul Rardin Park in Pahokee.

The event is part of the 15th Annual Florida Children’s Week set for April 11-17. Hundreds of local celebrations will be held statewide to raise awareness about children’s issues.

Child Care Provider Partners involved in the event in addition to LSF/PEPPI include State Representative Mack Bernard’s Office, Little Hands Learning Center, NOAH Inc. Mary Alice Fortin Family Development Center, Palm Beach County Head Start (Palm Glades Center, South Bay Center and the Pahokee Center), Tree House Learning Center, C.L. Brumback Health Center, Family Central Inc., Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Glades Initiative, NOAH Development Corporation - Building Blocks Development Center, Resource Depot, HIPPY, Wee Care Child Development Center, Martha Smith FCCA, Juanita P. Williams Family Day Care Center, Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation, Bright Ideas Inc., W&W Consulting Company, GENTS, Henderson Sanitation, Queen Esther Masonic Lodge, Palm Beach County Library, and the Municipalities of South Bay, Belle Glade and Pahokee.

Free activities for infants, toddlers and preschoolers will include storytelling, face painting, a child-sized obstacle course, and games such as bean bag toss. Parents, teachers, and state and community leaders are all invited to participate in the event.

Children will enjoy a picnic lunch provided by their own preschool or child care agency.

LSF’s PEPPI Head Start Child Development Center has served thousands of children and their families since it was founded in 1982. The goal of PEPPI is to improve the quality of life for at-risk preschool children in Belle Glade, an area whose population includes many low-income families and migrant workers.

Children at PEPPI learn basic educational skills in a clean, safe environment and also receive a nutritional breakfast, lunch and snack each day. Parents receive referrals to medical, dental and mental health professionals. A major emphasis of the program is to involve parents of students. Parents are required to play an active role, participating in school activities, volunteering in the classroom, serving as chaperones on field trips, and maintaining the school building and property.

Lutheran Services Florida is a statewide, nonprofit human services agency dedicated to helping all people in need regardless of religious affiliation, age or national origin. Headquartered in Tampa, the agency has more than 60 programs located throughout Florida. Since it was established in 1982, LSF has helped more than 800,000 children and families. LSF’s mission is to bring God’s healing, hope and help to people in need.

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