Give a Child a Voice: Kansas Parent Leadership Project
“’Each one, teach one,’ they say, but I say, ‘each one, teach every one that crosses your path.’ I thought I would never find the value within my own words until I was led to break out of my shell and give all of me that I had to give in order to show my child that his self-worth shall always be valued and to never let anything or anyone make you feel less.” --LM, Parent Advocate
Parents are a child's first teacher. They are also a child's best advocate.
Parents know what their children need in order to grow and learn and thrive. Parent voices soothe a fussy baby, praise a child’s drawing, and answer questions about the caterpillar on the sidewalk. Parents are a child’s first teacher and a child’s best advocate. Parents know when something their child needs should be created, sustained, and supported.
“After I became a single mom, I was living in a camper with my three boys. I had no idea which direction to go. Head Start has given me hope and a healthy direction. I now know the possibilities are limitless.” –KB, Parent Advocate
“For the past three years in Head Start, I’ve watched my children grow fast. Me being involved in their classroom made me learn how to talk and interact with my children. Not having good examples when I was younger, now I’m older and a single father of two boys, and I have grown a lot as a father with skills, communication ability, and also to teach my kids to be more independent.” –CA, Parent Advocate
The Parent Leadership Project equips Kansas parents with the skills and tools they need to raise their voices, not just for their own children, but for all children in Kansas
Why do these parents speak out? Because they want to bring the faces of real children and families—their own children and families—into focus for the people making important decisions about these supports and services. By talking about themselves and their children, they hope to make a difference for all children living, learning, and growing in Kansas. From the moment they raise their voice the first time, they are learning to be powerful advocates--powerful voices--for our smallest citizens.
“My daughter and I fled an abusive marriage when she was a toddler. I needed help finding resources in our new location and maintaining a routine for her. Head Start has helped us develop, learn, and grow in a healthy environment. My daughter wants to be a teacher, a doctor, and a mommy when she grows up.” –EB, Parent Advocate
Kansas Parent Leaders are training other parents in their communities to become grassroots advocates.
Parents who participate in the Kansas Head Start Association’s (KHSA) Parent Leadership Project have told their stories to legislators on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. and to state legislators at the Kansas Early Learning Day at the Capitol. These parents have given keynote addresses at local and national leadership conferences. They have been panel leaders and participants at the Kansas Governor's Symposium on Early Childhood and the Kansas Poverty Conference. Three Kansas parents are now on KHSA’s Board of Directors; one is serving as KHSA’s Board President and another is the President-Elect.
Most exciting of all, these parents have become mentors to other parents in their own Head Start programs and in their communities.
We asked parents who have participated in these experiences what advocacy means to them. They said that advocacy is:
- A voice for something you believe in and are passionate about.
- Giving a voice to someone who cannot speak loud enough on their own to be heard.
We Need Your Help
“At Head Start, my daughter and the other children are learning a mindset that helps them care for others and understand how we are all part of an interconnected community . I am amazed to see the little ways they are learning to care for each other. They are eager to share mittens to make sure everyone is covered for recess. She is learning that we all benefit when everyone has their needs met. It may seem small but it is an important mindset to learn moving forward. This mindset is contagious and helps make for a better community.” –DW, Parent Advocate
It takes a community to support a child and it takes a community to help a parent speak up for their children and for our children.
This giving season, Kansas Head Start Association is launching its third annual campaign to help even more Kansas parents raise their voices for the children they believe in.
Every dollar you give goes to cover the costs to provide Kansas parents with advocacy skills, experiences, and opportunities. Every dollar helps
Give a Child a Voice!
#ParentVoices #BePartOfTheStory
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As a thank you for your donation, we will send you an invitation to join the Parent Leadership Project private Facebook group where parents and KHSA post pictures, celebrations of advocacy visits, and other interactions. Want to know more? Vist our Parent Advocacy video page.
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Rather give to the Parent Leadership Project offline? You may pay via a check or money order and we will manually add your contribution amount to our total. Please make out your check to Kansas Head Start Association Parent Leadership Project and mail to:
Kansas Head Start Association
832 Pennsylvania St., Suite 1007, Lawrence, KS 66044
KHSA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Your donation may qualify as tax deductible on your federal income tax return.
