Decisions

Decisions, decisions… It seems we are living in a world where we are all holding our breath on the results of the next ‘decision.’ How much longer are we in the current phase? Will schools open? What will happen with the election in November? As Rhode Island and the country decide how to move forward,…

It’s Been Ten Years!

  This summer at Children’s Friend, we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Nurse-Family Partnership program, serving pregnant first-time mothers.  This nationally recognized model has more than four decades of research that consistently proves that Nurse-Family Partnership succeeds at its most important goals: keeping children healthy and safe and improving the lives of moms…

Essential Workers

A long line had formed at Newport Creamery.  My daughter and I were midway in the line, waiting on our designated “X” when an older gentleman started talking through his mask to us about how he didn’t mind the wait and it was nice to get to know his neighbors.  After telling me that he…

Welcome Back

  This week, Children’s Friend continued on its “reopening” journey. We welcomed back almost 300 preschool children into our Summer Learning and Enrichment Program. Our summer program is operating out of 9 sites, with reduced classroom capacity, health screenings, enhanced cleaning protocols, and strict safety measures in place. It was great to see more of…

The State of Babies Yearbook 2020: Maternal and Child Health Inequities Emerge Even Before Birth

Here on our blog, we’ve been posting frequently about racism and its impact on the children, families, and communities whom we serve and with whom we partner.  All over the country and world, we see a heightened response to the ongoing systemic oppression of people who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color – and…

Today’s Word is Hope

At Children’s Friend, the recent injustices and anti-racism protests spurred a series of scheduled staff conversation circles. This is a time for staff to share their experiences and perspectives on racism, the current climate of our personal and professional communities, and the relationship of COVID with social injustices.   So far, we have met eight…

Hello Summer!

This weekend we welcomed the start of a new summer season.  The spring of 2020 has undoubtedly challenged us all in ways we could have never imagined. As such, we are all looking forward to the joys that warm, summer days can bring. Summer is a great time for kids and families to enjoy different…