Partnerships
Reaching the Most Vulnerable
Families Benefit From Engagement Programs
Young children, whose brains are developing rapidly, need stimulating experiences and parental engagement in order to arrive at kindergarten ready to learn. Habitot’s Early Learning Inclusion Program was created to ensure the Museum truly serves the needs of the diverse community of Bay Area families raising young children. Helping all parents assume their role as their child’s first teacher can have a significant positive impact on their children’s school readiness.
Formal partnerships with fourteen social service agencies and nonprofits help Habitot reach the most vulnerable young children and families. Free, exclusive visit times on weekday afternoons, when the Museum is otherwise closed to the public, have benefited over 5,000 parents and children over the last six years.
The family engagement sessions are currently organized for teen parents, special needs children and their families, homeless families and recently released prisoners and their families. Sessions are supported, in part by generous grants from the Sam Mazza Foundation, the Western Digital Foundation, and the Wells Fargo Foundation.
Teen Parents
Currently partnering agencies include CalSafe - Hayward/Fruitvale and the Vera Casey Collaborative in Berkeley which bring pregnant and parenting teens to Habitot for play and bonding time with their children. Parenting support, as well as distributions of books, clothing and art supplies, help teens become more successful. Teen Times
Homeless Families
Currently partnering homeless shelters include the Berkeley Food and Housing Project, the Women's Daytime Drop-in Center, and the "Winter Nights" program of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County. Families enjoy exclusive time at Habitot to reconnect and play with their children.
At Home at Habitot
Children with Special Needs
Habitot partners with many agencies serving children with special needs and their families to give these children time and space to acclimate to the Museum, and receive adaptive support in using the exhibits. In December 2011, Habitot hosted a special holiday celebration for families that almost 100 attended. This program is currently funded by Western Digital Foundation. In addition, since December 2011 Habitot has hosted three events open to the entire community of Bay Area families of children with special needs. Special Times for Special Families
Formerly Incarcerated
Habitot is partnering with Centerforce, a California-based incarcerated support nonprofit, on a family reintegration project for recently released mothers and their children. Together Again
Thanks to Our Sponsors
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