We are open Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 2 PM.
Please use Door K of Hayden McFadden School (County St side)
Phone (508-979-1927)
Fax numbers (508-979-4664)
We believe that all families have unique strengths and skills and that all parents are their children’s first and best teachers. As professionals, we work with parents to expand on their strengths and learn new skills and work with their children to achieve academic success and a love for learning. Through a variety of supportive and educational programs such as adult education, playgroups, parenting workshops, support groups, and family support, we provide families with new ways to interact in positive and rewarding ways, build literacy and develop lifelong support systems.
All programs are free of charge and depending on the activity, open to all New Bedford families with children ages 4 years and younger, regardless of income, race, ethnicity or creed. We also provide free childcare and transportation for participants when needed.
Please call us at (508) 979-1927 with any questions or to register for programming.
The mission of the Family Center is to provide services to New Bedford families that build on their strengths, enhance interactions and empower all members to achieve their full potential and reach their goals.
The Family Center is a program of PACE Childcare Works. It is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Massachusetts Family Network and Parent Child Home program grants, the Massachusetts Department of Education, Pathways to Family Success grant, funding from the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts/Polaroid and Acushnet Foundations in collaboration with the New Bedford Public Schools.
Family Literacy:
The family is the most powerful influence on a child’s ability to succeed and literacy is the foundation on which all learning is based. Family literacy is a proven intergenerational approach that improves the literacy, language and life skills of both parents and children. Our family literacy program incorporates five components to support families as they learn together and reach their individual goals.
The five components are:
Adult ESOL classes for parents for both beginning and intermediate level English speakers
Early Childhood Education provided at the Family Center or at another center of the parent’s choice
Parent and Child Together (PACT) Time
Parent Education Workshops
Literacy based home visits
Play and Learn Groups:
- Play and Learn Groups: These activities meet weekly and provide children ages zero to 48 months and their caregivers the opportunity to have fun together and with others in a relaxed, developmentally appropriate environment. While these themes change from time to time, some of our offerings include:
Music & Movement
Sing & Learn
Babies Go Bonkers
Tumbling Toddlers
Terrific Toddlers
- Family Activities:
These are generally offered monthly in a variety of settings. Types of activities may include:
Family Field Trips
Performers and entertainers
Family Fun days
Discount trips to children’s theaters/performances
Parent Support:
Our Family Support is designed to prevent family problems by strengthening parent-child relationships and providing whatever supports parents need in order to be successful nurturers and providers. Our programs enhance families’ capacity to support the growth and development of all family members – adults, youth and children. Family Support programs also contribute to the community-building process.
Home visits
Parenting workshops
Information and Referrals to a variety of local agencies
The Giving Tree – Free Clothing Exchange, for babies through adults
Parent Resource Library
Lending Library for children
Opportunities for Leadership:
By supporting families to assume leadership opportunities the family unit and community grow stronger.
Parent Advisory Council (PAC) – This parent / staff committee meets once a month to discuss programming for the Family Center.
Fundraising Committee – This sub-committee of the PAC will organize fundraisers throughout the year to supplement TFC’s programming.
Volunteering- The Family Center supports parents in their efforts to volunteer at the Center, in the community and in their children’s classroom
Reviews, get directions and information The PACE Family Center.
