Free Community Event for East County Families
Local parents plan event to highlight importance of the early years

—Contact: Tracy Irwin 925/335-9991 ext. 13

What: FREE “Week of the Young Child” Event for Antioch families

Who: Parents, Mayor Don Freitas, Fabulous Harlem Globetrotter Clowns, Antioch Fire Department, local parenting programs and services, and many others

When: April 6, 2002 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Where: Antioch Community Park, Jenson Family Area

Antioch — East County families are invited to join Antioch Mayor Don Freitas and City Councilman Jim Davis at a free event on April 6, 2002 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Antioch’s Community Park, Jenson Family Area. The event, called “Week of the Young Child,” aims to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families, connect families to important parenting programs and services, and provide an opportunity for East County families to get to know one another.

A group of volunteer parent who have been working with the Contra Costa Children and Families Commission, a public agency that provides funding for early childhood development programs, coordinated the event. Several months ago, these parents attended a community meeting hosted by the Commission to talk about how East Contra Costa Could be a better place for young children. One of the major concerns participants identified is the lack of affordable enrichment activities available for young children. Instead of just talking about this problem, they decided to do something positive about it.

I believe that if you want to see good things happen for children, you have to be willing to get out there and do the work,” said Michele Mendoza, parent participant. “We hope to rally other East County parents to join us to create a more family-friendly community. Supporting young children should be a community-wide priority.”

Free activities offered at the event include arts, crafts, face painting, a jumpee structure for children, the Fabulous Harlem Globetrotter Clowns, parent information booths such as Girl Scouts, local preschools, the Child Care Council, the Antioch Fire Department, among many others. Free prize bags, donated by the City of Antioch, with gift certificates and children’s books will be given to the first 150 children who attend.

The parents are planning future events, such as providing training for community members on grant writing and advocacy techniques. They will make a presentation to the Antioch City Council on March 26th at 7:00 pm about the “Week of the Young Child” event. Community members interested in joining this group should call Mari Gonzalez (925) 335-9991.

In 1998, California voters approved Proposition 10, which levied a 50-cent tax on each pack of cigarettes. Revenues generated are used to fund local health, child care and education programs that promote early childhood development, targeting children during their first five years of life, as well as anti-tobacco education. The Commission participates in a pilot-project funded by five foundations to involve community members in deciding how best to strengthen the lives of Contra Costa children and families.