Parents as leaders, advocates, and advisors.

The Great Start system is founded on some strong Core Beliefs:

• All parents want their children to have a better life; to be healthy, safe, and successful.
• Parents are their childrens first and best teachers.
• A system cannot be strong and effective without the planning input of its primary consumers. Parents are the primary consumers of all early childhood programs.

Members of the Parent Coalition are men and women from all walks of life, who are committed to becoming advocates for young children here in St. Joseph County. We believe that far too many of our children start life with social, economic, health care, and educational disadvantages. We believe that the business of our community should be to erase these disadvantages, so that all children start school with an equal opportunity to succeed. We are committed to strengthening our skills as community leaders, so that we can and will speak out for children who have no voice.

Any parent or guardian of a child under age 12 is most welcome to join us. The Parent Coalition meets once a month. We share food, friendship, and fun. We enjoy guest speakers from many areas, from personal development trainers to legislators. We add our voices to those of business leaders and human service professionals, to craft a comprehensive Great Start system of care for young children in St. Joseph County. Please contact us with your questions or requests.

Looks like what drives me crazy have no effect on you.

But I'm going to keep at it

Til it drives you crazy too!

                                                Langston Hughes