For more than 20 years, Cope Family Center has been privileged to have the support of the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) which has contributed almost $5 million in that time. This generosity has transformed the lives of thousands of children and their families and helped build a stronger community for all. We are grateful to report that NVV recently announced their support will continue with a grant of $250,000.
By affirming LGBTQ+ identities and passing laws in support of the safety and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people, LGBTQ+ children and youth are better protected. Anti-LGBTQ+ laws and rhetoric actively harm children in the community, and anyone who cares about the wellbeing of children and youth should oppose this hateful and discriminatory legislation.
It is particularly difficult to be a parent in the U.S. right now; attacks on reproductive rights, a lack of affordable childcare, inadequate parental leave, and the fear and uncertainty around children’s safety in school make this a stressful time to raise a child.
These factors, as well as inadequate and inequitable medical care for many pregnant people and a lack of affordable mental health care overall can make the stress overwhelming for some parents. This stress can have a negative effect on children, making it particularly important to establish a solid support system for struggling parents.
On behalf of the entire board of Cope Family Center, I want to thank Michele Grupe for her dedicated leadership as she prepares to step away from the organization after 19 years of service. I have had the privilege of working with Michele since 2014 and have been a board member for the past six years working with Michele since she began her role as Executive Director. Michele has been an asset beyond all expectations for Cope and the community at large.
As a Social Worker for Napa Valley Unified School District, I get an intimate look at the role parents and caregivers play in preparing their children for the classroom. In supporting students through various challenges that prevent them from learning, I have seen firsthand how struggles in the home affect a child’s success in school. Parents play a vital role in their child’s academic success, and stressors in the home, such as divorce, mental health problems, insecure housing, and other economic instability can take a toll on students.
In honor of Positive Parenting Awareness Month, I want to share my story about how Cope Family Center’s parenting classes have helped transform my relationship with my daughter. Ten years ago, I was divorced and battling addiction, and I struggled to be present and committed in my daughter’s life. In fact, there were long periods when I wasn’t in contact with my daughter at all.
