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Creating Social Networks
Since its inception in 2002, R2LP has built the largest constituency in the city devoted to school readiness. This community includes early-care and public-school educators, city librarians, health-care professionals, family child-care providers, and, above all, parents. Institutions, such as the Providence Public Library and the Providence Public School Department, have worked hand-in-hand with R2LP in the development of programs, as have state and local agencies. More than 100 local representatives participate on R2LP boards and committees. Some 260 Spanish-speaking home child-care providers in Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls are members of R2LP's El Club de Proveedoras de Cuidado Infantil de Rhode Island. Day-long workshops provide members with valuable training as well as an important professional and social network. R2LP’s AmeriCorps program, now in its seventh year, also strengthens the R2LP community network. Thirty-five AmeriCorps members work with providers, educators, health practitioners and parents in early-care settings, libraries, WIC offices, pediatric clinics and at R2LP to further our vision. Because families are so central to its work, R2LP encourages family involvement in all its efforts. The Family Engagement Committee introduces parents to the many teams, committees and other volunteer opportunities available to parents who want to participate more fully in the R2LP community. Please read more if you are looking for ways that you, too, might join your neighbors in this exciting endeavor. For fuller descriptions of the social networks and community evolving through R2LP activities, please use the links at right. |
Ready to Learn Providence’s vision that all children will have high-quality early education and a healthy start is one that no single agency could hope to achieve on its own. The way we will reach this goal is with a comprehensive network of partners throughout the community.