Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/meet-miriam-mercado-mercado-program-director-paraso-infantl-hartford-connecticut/5014374/
"When parents are needed, they are here." Miriam Mercado begins her story by highlighting parent involvement as the touchstone of the programs she directs. "Family focus and parent involvement make both our family center, Centro de Desarrollo y Reafirmacion Familiar, and our child care program, Para¡so Infant¡l, special. Families come to the center to both give and receive support. They are our board members, use services, become trainers, and receive training and advocacy support."Many parents come to the Family Center rather unsure about what they can offer; and through our parent involvement opportunities, they enhance their skills and become very active and effective in this community. When you value parents for who they are and make them feel comfortable, you create the opportunity to help them grow. Everyone who comes through the door has skills; everyone can learn from you and everyone can share with you. I am very proud of providing people with opportunities that result in the betterment of the community.
"Para¡so Infant¡l is one of many family support programs of Centro de Desarrollo y Reafirmacion Familiar, which is part of the Institute for the Hispanic Family, a program of Catholic Family Services. Three years ago, when parents involved in ...