The center at the Main Library, 64 E. First St., is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday; and a community activity is to be held once a month on Saturday, with a varied schedule.
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The city of Mesa, in partnership with First Things First, has opened the Mesa Family Resource Center at the Main Library.
The Family Resource Center is designed to provide caregivers and families with children from newborns to age 5 with a wide range of free parenting and child activities, referrals to community resources and parenting education classes, according to a release.
The center at the library, 64 E. First St., is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday; and a community activity is to be held once a month on Saturday, with a varied schedule.
The public is invited to a grand opening celebration of the Mesa Family Resource Center at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. The program will include an open house with activities starting at 11:30 a.m.
As Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First is committed to the healthy development and learning of young children. It funds services to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten, the release states.
“Mesa is a city that believes in creating strong, resilient communities, and the new Family Resource Center is a reflection of that commitment,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles. “By connecting families to critical resources, we are ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. This center will be a place where our residents can find help, hope and the tools to create a better future for themselves and their loved ones.”
The city received a four-year grant from First Things First with annual funding of $300,000 to cover staffing and operations of the Mesa Family Resource Center. First Things First is Arizona’s early childhood agency, created by the passage of Proposition 203 in 2006, committed to the healthy development and learning of young children.
“The research is undeniable that the time between birth and age 5 is a critical period for brain development and family resource centers provide families with access to information, resources and services in one convenient location to support their young child’s development,” said First Things First Chief Regional Officer K. Vilay. “We are pleased to partner with the city of Mesa on this family resource center, which we know will bring Mesa families opportunities to learn about child development and increase awareness of what resources are available in the community.”
In addition to First Things First, The Mesa Family Resource Center includes numerous community partners and resources, such as Mesa Public Schools, Head Start, WIC (Women, Infants and Children), A New Leaf and Workforce Center @ Mesa.
“Mesa is committed to childhood literacy, developing a supportive continuum of learning and closing our achievement gaps. It all starts with resources and education to support parents and during the first years of their child’s life, which are crucial for development. The Mesa Family Resource Center is that vital first step to set young children on the path to getting a high quality education from kindergarten through college,” said Sarah Tolar, city of Mesa education and workforce administrator.
