Hands Together
A Center for Children /
Un Centro Para Niños
The most ambitious neighborhood outreach program launched by Messiah serves almost 200 children, aged infant to pre-kindergarten, each day. In 1999 Messiah, in conjunction with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, formed Hands Together, a Center for Children, as a nonprofit public benefit, tax exempt corporation. The mission of the organization is to provide the highest quality early education and daycare to families of the working poor who are striving to gain stability, improve their lives, and emerge from poverty. Major initial funding was provided by members and friends of Messiah, who continue to support the organization. The Board of Directors is comprised of a dedicated group of persons with an intense passion for the mission of Hands Together; a majority of the Board are members of Messiah. Although Messiah provides no direct financial support to Hands Together, it does provide in-kind support in the form of facilities use, office support, and similar. The organization operates three separate programs:
Hands Together Center is a preschool and daycare program opened in 2000 that serves 94 children, age six weeks through prekindergarten. It operates in a 6,768 square foot former medical office building across the street from the church. Messiah originally leased the property and subleased it to Hands Together; in 2005 Messiah purchased the property and leased it to Hands on a triple-net lease.
The program provides an exemplary preschool experience, and includes health screenings and a robust parent participation program. It is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and has been honored by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as one of the outstanding Empowerment projects in the nation. The program is financed primarily by fee-for-services contracts with the California Department of Education, supplemented by grants and gifts from foundations, corporations and individuals.
Hands Together Literacy Center pursues its vision by providing high quality early education to children from low income families. Hands Together Literacy Center knows that a child progresses in emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development in an orderly sequence and at his or her own individual pace. The curriculum reflects this individual development through activities that appeal to children in their various stages of development and that incorporate our families’ cultural diversity. The early childhood curriculum strives to help children become enthusiastic learners. Children are encouraged to be active and creative explorers. This program is financed in the same manner as the Hands Together Center.
Morning Garden is a unique preschool and parent education program for homeless families and families in transition who have preschool aged children. Morning Garden provides a safe haven for parents to bring their children where Hands Together helps foster their social, emotional, and educational development. These especially vulnerable children are provided an early childhood education in a calm and serene environment. This program operates every week-day, 8 a.m. to noon, and is located on the Messiah campus. It is not state-funded; however it has received Federal grants for specific projects. It relies on foundation and private funding.
Parents are encouraged to participate in parenting and vocational training classes while their children engage in learning opportunities through social interaction with other children. The emphasis on the parenting program is the instruction of basic life and survival skills such as financial literacy, interview skills, resume preparation and GED acquisition. Morning Garden also teaches nutrition and low cost meal preparation. All the components support the personal and professional development of extremely poor families. Our program recognizes the potential for success in all people, including parents experiencing homelessness. Resource development funds fully support this unique and valuable program for extremely low income families.
Visit the Hands Together Website at: www.handstogether-sa.org