Services & Programs

  • Increase center-based slots for children in the ELNC targeted neighborhood through existing and new centers
  • Parent and caregiver education
  • Parent leadership training
  • Professional development: Teacher recruitment, training and retention
  • Technical assistance to partners
  • Shared back-office services
  • Voice for community children

Preschool Programs

The ELNC Preschool Programs are designed to increase the accessibility of early scholastic resources for vulnerable children. They will provide quality education to children in our neighborhoods.

The ELNC Early Learning Center (ELC)
Contact: Eva | E-mail: eva@elncgr.org | Phone: 616-430-7318

South East Community Outreach Ministries (SECOM)
Contact: Amy Brower | E-mail: programs@secomministries.org | Phone: 616-452-7684

Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
Contact: Jaenell Ott | E-mail: jott@hispanic-center.org | Phone: 616-742-0200

Baxter Community Center
Contact: Kristen Blumke | E-mail: kblumke@baxtercommunitycenter.org | Phone: 616-456-8593 x235

United Methodist Community House
Contact: Tamera Belton| E-mail: tbelton@umchousegr.org | Phone: 616-452-3226

Living Stones Academy
Contact: Karyn Farrar-Perkins| E-mail: Karynfp@livingstonesgr.org | Phone: 616-819-1902


Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI)

Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) is a 20 week program designed to help 'Parents Who Care Become Parents Who Lead'. It is an interactive participatory class, not lecture style. Phase 1 is focused on community building, cross cultural learning's and group dynamics. Phase 2 is focused on Civic Engagement with building tools for asking the right questions and leveraging change.

Class Schedule for 2013 - 2014
Retreat: September 21st from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at The Other Way Ministries
Phase 1: September 25th to December 4th
Phase 2: January 8th to March 19th
Graduation: March 19th

Wednesday Nights:
5PM - 6PM Dinner for participants and their children.
Childcare for children 12 and under with class time from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Location: Eastern Ave CRC Church 514 Eastern between Logan and Bemis
Contact: Melita Powell Email: plti@elncgr.org Phone: 616-454-4011


Fatherhood Initiatives

Proud Fathers Program is a men’s group where we discuss relationships, children and the important role of men in our community.
  • Childcare is provided
  • Free Dinner
  • Weekly Prizes

Spanish Speaking Class
Classes are Tuesday nights – August 20th to November 19th at Steepletown Neighborhood Services

Location: 671 Davis Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Phone: Call Dick at 616-451-4215
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Contacts: Dick Bulkowski - Email: dick@steepletown.org - Phone: (616) 451-4215


English Speaking Class
Class dates: TBA

The Other Way Ministries Activity Center, 704 West Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI
Contact Kurt or Karl to register or if you have any questions call 616-454-4011
Class space will be limited to 18 participants.

Contact: Eusebus Ekere | Email: pf@elncgr.org


Parent Resources Education and Play (PREP) Program

By providing education and support services to families in at-risk communities, PREP strives to strengthen the family unit by enhancing parenting skills which nurture the optimal development of children between birth and age 3 to promote educational success and foster the personal and economic success of parents. The focus of PREP is community-based intervention, which is family-centered, preventive, comprehensive, and continuous through integration and collaboration of services. One of the programs we are offering under PREP is the AVANCE Parent-Child Education Program (PCEP).

English Speaking Class
When:Tuesday, September 3, 2013 to June 3, 2014

Where: New Hope Baptist Church - 130 Delaware Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Enrollment Contact: New Hope Site Coordinator at 452-4278 | sitecoordiantor@nhbcprep.org, or Matteah Spencer-Reppart: avance@elncgr.org. Parents can enroll mornings or evenings.

Time: Morning classes – Tuesdays: 10:30a-1:00p | Evening classes – Thursdays: 5:30p-8p (Meals, childcare, and transportation are provided for both sessions.)


Spanish Speaking Class
When:Thursday, September 5, 2013 to June 5, 2014.

Where: The Other Way Ministries Activity Center, 704 West Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI

Enrollment Contact:Ivelisse Rodriquez, PREP Site Coordinator at ivelisse.prep@theotherway.org | 454-4011 ext 5332, or Matteah Spencer-Reppart at avance@elncgr.org. Parents can enroll mornings or evenings.

Time: Thursday: 9a-12p | Evening classes – Thursdays: 5p-8p (Meals, childcare, and transportation are provided for both sessions.)


Baby Scholars

Through Believe 2 Become community meetings in 2010 and 2011, local parents requested more ways to help their babies grow smarter. Local early childhood experts Strong Beginnings, Arbor Circle, and ELNC came together to form Baby Scholars to meet this need. Home coaching, fun workshops and first school programs are all based on the research and proven models of Susan Landry, a nationally recognized expert in parenting and early childhood. Dr. Landry is the founder and director of the Children’s Learning Institute at University of Texas Health Science Center.

The program is open to families with children 5 months to 5 years old who live in four B2B zones and who plan to send their children to Grand Rapids Public Schools.

When: October 1 – December 21

Locations:
Southeast Academic Center (SEAC), 1250 Sigsbee SE. Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Class Schedule:
Monday 9a-11:30a; 1p-3:30p
Tuesday: 1p-3:30p; 5:30p-8p
Wednesday: 9a-11:30a; 1p-3:30p
Thursday: 1p-3:30p; 5:30p-8p
Contact: Kimberly Spencer | Email: Kimberly@elncgr.org | Phone: 616-430-7292

Roosevelt Park Community Christian Reformed Church, 811 Chicago Drive SW.

Class Schedule:
Monday: 1p-3:30p; 5:30p-8p
Tuesday: 9a-11:30a; 1p-3:30p
Wednesday: 1p-3:30p; 5:30p-8p
Thursday: 9a-11:30a; 1p-3:30p

Contact: Kimberly Spencer | Email: Kimberly@elncgr.org | Phone: 616-430-7314


ELNC Focused Neighborhoods

      ELNC Focused Neighborhoods Map

Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative

P.O. Box 7828, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49510
Phone: (616) 819-1407
Email: info@elncgr.org

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