Meadowbrook United Methodist Church has entered into an exciting new partnership with the City of Fort Worth and other community partners to help create a brighter future for our neighborhood. The City’s Early Childhood Matters program has opened a resource center here!

City staff from the Early Childhood Matters program of the Library Department will offer support and education for adults caring for children from birth to five years, a library of materials for adults and children, and referrals to other resources for families.

The ECRC offers parenting sessions (in English and Spanish) on Monday evenings from 5:00-6:30 p.m. and Wednesday mornings from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at no cost to participants. Parents and other caregivers are encouraged to bring their children under age five for activities, sharing, and growing together.

The ECRC will work closely with the church’s other programs and activities to create new opportunities for success for the families of east Fort Worth.

For more information or to register: minerva.gates@fortworthgov.org or 817-584-7322.

A "Ribbon Cutting" on August 26, 2010 celebrated the opening of two new Early Childhood Resource Centers – the one hosted here at Meadowbrook United Methodist Church, and another at the Riverside Community Center.

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D., who represents parts of east Fort Worth, did the formal ribbon-cutting, and Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem Danny Scarth and District 8 Councilmember Kathleen Hicks spoke to the 85 community members, parents and children who attended. Each speaker noted the invaluable support and generosity of MUMC in making ing the program possible. Both City Council members spoke of the church as a hub of activity in the neighborhood, and Dr. Burgess called the church a real "community center" for the Eastside.

The two new Early Childhood Resource Centers were established and furnished through a congressional award secured by Dr. Burgess from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Four additional resource centers are located in community centers in other neighborhoods. The centers provide group sessions and resources for parents to help their children from birth to age 5 develop the skills and behaviors they will need to succeed in kindergarten.

Parents and children who participate in the program presented Dr. Burgess with hand-made thank-you cards, and children held the long red ribbon while he cut it. Since opening on March 1 of this year, the center has reached 49 different families in the Meadowbrook neighborhood.

                                                                                                                                                              -- Sandra Lamm