Long Island-based parent-child nonprofit celebrates 50 years
Alvarene Godwin, center, with daughter Vaylisha, 10, will be honored by the Parent-Child Home Program. Pictured with Godwin are PCHP coordinator Sarah Benjamin, left, and CEO Sarah Walzer, right. Credit: Parent-Child Home Program
The national Parent-Child Home Program, with headquarters in Garden City, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in November, marking it with a gala in Manhattan on Nov. 13 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, during which former Suffolk County resident Alvarene Godwin will be one of six program clients honored.
Godwin progressed from a mother with three daughters living in a homeless shelter in Central Islip to a U.S. citizen and employee of a nursing home. She currently lives in Manhattan with her daughters, who are now 14, 13, and 10, and her son, who is 5.
Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) is a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged families prepare their children for school success and high school graduation through twice-weekly home sessions during which Home Visitors employed by PCHP demonstrate how to use books and toys to cultivate language and facilitate literacy skills. Families are encouraged to continue quality play and reading between visits.
“The program, to me, it just motivates me and my child,” Godwin says.
This year, Long Island PCHP sites will complete 16,000 home visits and distribute more than 8,000 books. Ten program sites exist on Long Island, with a new site planned for Bellport.
For information on the program or the gala, visit donatenow.networkforgood.org/anniversarygala.
