 The Holidays are hereIt's a tradition that most families look forward to every year. That moment that the family is gathered together eating a meal. Some families have pre-meal and post-meal traditions. 2020 brings a challenge to most traditions. It may be that some of them are cancelled, or the number of people at the dinner table will be greatly reduced. But the one thing that should stay is the tradition of being thankful for what we have.
Here at Pernet, one tradition that will stay is providing Thanksgiving meals for families and holiday gifts for children. The Little Sisters of the Assumption who started the work we do at Pernet 65 years ago sought to support the disadvantaged families and to revitalize the spirit of those degraded by poverty. Today that work continues and the pandemic makes it even more urgent. We are pleased o be able to provide 250 families in our community with holiday meals this year. Pernet Holiday Gift List This Holiday Season, please consider donating a gift for a child. These gifts go to children 0-17 years of age. Below is a list for Pernet Holiday Gifts Program
You can also purchase items on the Amazon Gift Registry at https://amzn.to/31XMJPq Please drop off gifts by Wednesday 12/09/2020. For more information please contact Yildiz Laza at 508-755-1228 or ylaza@pernetfamilyhealth.org Donate
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MASSACHUSETTS BANKERS ASSOCIATION CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
ANNOUNCES RECORD 2020 COMMUNITY GRANTS BOSTON, Nov. 10, 2020 – The Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA) announced today that the MBA Charitable Foundation has set a new record in its annual year-end community grant season. In keeping with the Charitable Foundation’s annual community grants, MBA is announcing today that the Foundation will be granting an additional 49 grants, totaling $157,500. The Foundation, supported by MBA’s 130 member banks in Massachusetts and New England, is distributing the grants over eight geographic regions across the Commonwealth. Of the many well-deserving social service agencies, this year’s awards are given to organizations that are aiding in the battle of hunger; promoting academic, social and emotional growth and equality; alleviating homelessness, promoting skill development to close the opportunity divide; addressing domestic violence, women’s shelters and empowerment, and more. Earlier this year, with the rise of the pandemic and in recognition of heightened focus on lifting communities through economic and social equality initiatives, MBA made special donations to the Mass COVID Relief Fund, Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), and the 10point Coalition. Additionally, MBA launched a three-month social media campaign to acknowledge and highlight the hard work and dedication of many organizations that are committed in providing aid and relief to their community. “On behalf of the entire Massachusetts banking community, we are thrilled to bring our collective strength to supporting organizations that are doing immense good in local communities across the Commonwealth,” said Peter G. Brown, Chairman of the MBA Charitable Foundation, and President and CEO of Dedham Savings, “As we see the impact of the Foundation’s support as well as the broader support from banks’ individual efforts, we are reminded that every gift-giving season amplifies the needs. As we recognize 49 organizations this year with the 2020 gifts, we do so with the knowledge and renewed focus that our work continues.” Since its founding in 1996, the Foundation has provided gifts totaling approximately $2.8 million, which is symbolic of the more than $106 million in individual donations banks make on an annual basis to charitable non-profits and social agencies in communities throughout the Commonwealth. Pernet Family Health is grateful for the $5,000 grant awarded. The Massachusetts Bankers Association represents approximately 130 commercial, savings and co-operative FDIC-insured banks and savings and loan associations with 72,000 employees located in Massachusetts and elsewhere in New England.  Many families in our community are facing food insecurity for the first time. We have discovered that the struggle to feed their loved ones will only intensify during the upcoming holidays. Due to the pandemic, many grocery stores are not able to hold their usual holiday food drives, which will inevitably reduce food donations for holiday meals at our local non-profits. The United Way of Central Massachusetts is partnering with Friendly House and Pernet Family Health to provide festive holiday meals for those in need.
Here’s How You Can Help Those In Need Donate Via Credit Card Or Venmo Donate Non-Perishable Food Items Sign Up For Our Virtual Road Race! Visit the event website for more details and link to register. You know your child better than anyone. But even you have a few questions.COVID-19 is putting incredible pressure on families. You might be noticing your child is struggling in new ways, or that old problems are getting worse. Should you worry about your child’s behavioral health? HandHoldMA is here to help you figure that out.
Visit HandHoldMA.org for information and resources on: Should I worry?Is your kid just being a kid, or is their behavior something to worry about? Learn about signs to look for and get suggestions on what to do next. What can I do?Tips, tools, and strategies that have worked for other families, sorted by topic, and picked by Handhold. These are things you can learn about or do from home. Who can help?Our top picks for community organizations and government resources that can help you locate the right mental health service for your child and family.  https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/helpNow.asp?a_id=C6F3F04A&ss=&r=
"My voice, our equal future." Today, October 11, 2020, is internationally recognized as the "International Day of the Girl." It is celebrated annually to recognize the strength, power, contribution, and potential for girls worldwide. In 2020, the focus is involving girls and women in the dialogue and decision-making about their lives, their futures, and their bodies. from the World Health Organization (WHO): International Day of the Girl celebrates the importance, power, and potential of girls around the world. It is also a day to highlight girls’ needs and the particular problems they can face, and drive efforts that meet these needs and fulfill their rights – not benevolently for them, but in partnership with them. While much progress has been made in the last two decades to ensure every girl is able to grow and develop in good health, there is much still to do. For example, 12 million girls are married before age 18 each year. One in five girls globally has experienced sexual violence. In Eastern and Southern Africa, nearly 80% of new HIV infections among adolescents are among girls. No decision for girls should be made without them The 2020 theme of International Day of the Girl is “My voice, our equal future.” This is a striking call to recognize girls’ inheritance of the still-unfinished Beijing Agenda, their expertise on the challenges they face especially for their sexual and reproductive health and rights, and their limitless capacity as change-makers. To commemorate the day, WHO co-organized a virtual intergenerational dialogue between girl advocates and high-level leaders about putting girls and their rights at the centre of decision-making processes. Lubinda, a 15-year old advocate from Zambia, captured the sentiment of the event: “If every child can be given the chance to express themselves and talk about issues that are affecting them, then we can have a wide range of voices being represented.” “At the same time, we have to be equipped with the knowledge, because without it, we will not be able to participate [in international systems].” *Photo credit (above): WHO “ Success is no accident, It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do” Pele
When I met my little friend and her family in January I was not their service coordinator. She was referred to early intervention because she was not walking and was about 18 months old. She was however a whiz when it came to numbers and letters. Over a series of events I did in fact end up becoming her service coordinator. This transition took place just a couple of weeks prior to covid-19. At this very same time we had a gentle conversation about some concerns that her pediatrician had as well as some concerns of mine. She was displaying some characteristics and behaviors that led us to believe that perhaps she had autism spectrum disorder. As anyone can imagine this was an extremely difficult thought for her family to process. Just as we were beginning to have this conversation, the covid-19 pandemic hit. Everything was on hold for a few weeks. Just as we were beginning to develop this relationship and I was welcomed into their home I was no longer able to go into their home. But this was not going to deter this amazing mom. She was doing everything that she could do for her child. With the coordination of early intervention, my friend’s family, and her pediatrician we were able to make the process happen so that she could have an evaluation at UMass. This evaluation was done via Zoom. Once she received a diagnosis of ASD the referral process happened so she could receive ABA services. We went from a 100% in person in home service model to completely virtual overnight. And in the midst of this and all of the chaos we were able to get this referral completed, give this family the support and services that they needed, and get services into place. All of this was done through technology. It's been a couple of months now that she has been receiving ABA services. Not only is she walking, she's putting sentences together and she is making excellent eye contact in initiating play. She responds to her name, she calls her parents by name, and has made extraordinary strides. The journey that I've gone on with this family in particular has been the one that has stuck out to me the most during this pandemic. It can be very difficult to build a rapport with a family under the best of circumstances nevermind a family that is going through such a difficult diagnosis. It is even more difficult during a time when you are not able to physically be with the family. While there were definitely many days and nights I had no idea how we were ever going to service our kids through early intervention in this new format, I can honestly say that this particular experience was a success. Colleen Fisher Margarita Santiago’s twin girls start second grade this year in the Worcester Public Schools, and she's not convinced online is the best way for her daughters to learn.
"My kids really didn't enjoy the remote learning" in the spring, Santiago said. "They spent most of the time under the table, going in the bathroom, and grabbing snacks." While district leadership can’t do much about fidgeting, Sarah Kyriazis, instructional technology and digital learning manager for Worcester Public Schools, said the district is offering other support to help parents make online learning work better for their kids. The district has launched a Caregivers Technology Academy designed to help parents, and others caring for students, understand the technology tools students will need to attend school this fall. The materials are posted in the eight languages most used by families in the district including English, Nepali and Twi. GBH News spoke with a half-dozen caregivers for their perspective of the program. No two were alike. And they ranged from finding it useful, to having never heard of the academy. “It’s going to be a process,” said Kyriazis. “We won’t get everyone ready by Sept. 15." But, she said, "working through the schools and working through the teachers, we are going to provide as much support as possible.” https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2020/09/18/how-do-you-manage-child-care-when-school-is-remote-worcester-strives-to-give-families-options So happy to get some fresh vegetables and bread. Today at the Pernet Food Pantry we will be giving out three pre-packaged bags of food and families get to pick the vegetables from Worcester County Food Bank and bread/pastries from Wegmans they like. #ThankYou   #MaskUpMA #MaskUpPernet
Kudos to our staff who took on Governor Bakers challenge urging residents to wear their masks to protect themselves and others from Covid-19. Staff continue to practice social distancing and wearing masks when interacting with families we serve |
AuthorPernet Family Health Service, Inc. Archives
November 2020
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