Working Family Education Programs
• www.firststeps.us The Rochester Area Foundation’s First Steps Initiative works with area businesses through the First Steps Business Alliance to offer high quality family education opportunities. Examples of seminars have included discipline, power struggles, self esteem and building self confidence, emotional intelligence, work and family balance, and the SEEDS of Early Learning series. If you would like to receive email notification of upcoming seminars, email info-fs@firststeps.us. To learn more, check out the First Steps website at www.firststeps.us or call 282-1027.
PAIIR • 285-8033 PAIIR is Parents Are Important in Rochester, the Rochester Public School’s ECFE program. Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a voluntary public school program for all Minnesota families with children from birth to kindergarten enrollment. PAIIR offers support, education and fun to families with young children. For more information about PAIIR’s classes, workshops and events, call the PAIIR office or visit us online at www.rochester.k12.mn.us/school86/paiir.
The Children's Museum of Rochester (CMR) is a nonprofit corporation founded by a group of area parents whose goal is to create and maintain a children's museum in Rochester, Minnesota. Incorporated in February 2007, CMR has a growing and energized board of directors who are committed to the project's success. Its mission is to provide children the opportunity to discover the world around them in a hands-on, personal way. To that end, CMR is continually making progress toward the construction of a new building designed exclusively for a children's museum and equipped to handle an array of educational and fun exhibits. For more information on the CMR visit www.childrensmuseumrochester.org or write to Children's Museum of Rochester, P.O. Box 6681, Rochester, MN 55901-6681.
Family Service Rochester • 287-2010 • www.familyservicerochester.org The
Incredible Years - Parenting Course. Experience the Incredible Years! Family Service Rochester is proud to provide our community with The Incredible Years, a parenting course for parents of 8-13 year olds. Pre-adolescence can be a challenging time, learn how you can best help your child through this stage in every way possible. The Incredible Years is an award winning, research based course, which helps parents: increase skill, learn how to influence their child's behavior, and build positive child-parent relationships. The program consists of an 8-week series meeting every Tuesday. Childcare is provided during classes (no cost). Call Family Service Rochester for the next session dates.
Hearts of Heroes • 281-8988 (Valerie) • Ronald McDonald House, 850 2nd St SW Hearts of Heroes is a support group for parents and other caregivers of children with congenital heart defects. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month, 7-8pm, at the Rochester Ronald McDonald House. Each meeting will include a presentation on various topics, group sharing and supporting, and informal mingling/networking. For more information, call Valerie Kiger at 281-8988.
Preemie Parent Connection • 634-6274, Yvonne • Ronald McDonald House (Community Room), 850 2nd St SW • www.preemieparentconnection.org
Preemie Parent Connection is a monthly support group for family members of premature babies - no matter how old your premature child may now be (some parents attend meetings while their baby is still in the NICU, while others wait until later). The group meets the first Monday of every month, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. and offers the opportunity to talk with, learn from and lean on others who share similar experiences and concerns (such as frequent doctor visits, developmental issues, or concerns about future pregnancies). It is an open group, which means that you can attend whenever you are able. Although we hope that many mothers will feel the benefits of the group and decide to attend regularly, you do not need to attend every meeting... Simply come when you can!
All mothers of preemies are invited, no matter how old your premature child may now be. You may want to attend while your baby is still in the NICU. On the other hand, you may wish to attend later, when your baby is no longer in the NICU but you are still experiencing issues related to your baby’s prematurity (such as frequent doctor visits, developmental issues, or worries about future pregnancies). Parenting a premature infant, toddler, or young child can present unique challenges. At the group, you will find other mothers who understand.
Mayo Pregnancy Loss Support Group • Rochester Methodist Hospital • 266-7360 The Mayo Pregnancy Loss Support Group serves parents who have had a pregnancy/early newborn loss. The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month, 7:30-9pm September through May, at Rochester Methodist Hospital. For information, contact Jerelyn M. (Jeri) Sehl, RN, MS at 266-7360.
Rochester Greeters • 282-9970 • www.rochestergreeters.com Are you new to the Rochester area? Rochester Greeters wants to assist you in settling into your new location. They have a welcome bag that is full of helpful information that will give you an excellent start in finding your way around the Rochester area! The welcome bag includes: county and city maps, civic information, and lists of clubs and organizations. The welcome bag also includes products, coupons, and gift certificates from local businesses. Are you interested in receiving a welcome package? Would you like to request a greeting for yourself or someone else? Contact Rochester Greeters!
Southern Minnesota Mothers of Multiples • www.mmoms.org Southern Minnesota Mothers of Multiples is an organization devoted to making the experience of raising twins, triplets (or more) a positive one. Our members are from Rochester and its surrounding communities. Membership runs January to December with yearly dues being $30 (which are prorated during the course of the year). Any parent or guardian of multiples is eligible for membership. We meet as a group every third Wednesday of the month at 7pm in "The Garden's" Community Room (located off St. Bridget's Rd in SE Rochester). The benefits of membership include a monthly newsletter, access to the "members only" pre-sale at each of our Used Clothing & Equipment Sales, monthly support group meetings, 4+ events for the entire family, access to a library of resources and connection and networking with a great group of mothers of multiples.
Single Parent Support Group • Northrup Education Center • 285-8033 • www.rochester.k12.mn.us/school86 Meet with other single parents to share feelings, gain appreciation and encouragement, and learn techniques for creative survival as custodial parents. A light supper and child care for preschoolers is included. Meets Thursdays 5:45- 7:45pm. No fee, registration required. Call the PAIIR office for more information.
Grandparents Parenting Again • Child Care Resource & Referral • 126 Woodlake Dr, SE • 287-2020 • www.c2r2.org The Grandparents Parenting Again Support Group is offered for grandparents and anyone else raising a relatives child. Meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of every month (11:30am-1pm) and the 3rd Tuesday of every month (6:30pm-8pm). Child care is provided free of charge. Daytime meetings are located at Child Care Resource and Referral. Evening meetings are located at Congregational Church. Childrens Support Programming is offered to children living in "Kinship Families." Fun activities are held once a month.
Side By Side-Rochester (formally known as Medical Spouses Bible Study) • Meeting Place (beginning in July for our summer study and then also for the fall 2007-2008 year): Autumn Ridge Church, 3611 Salem Road SW • www.sidebyside-rochester.org • sidebysiderochester@yahoo.com Side by Side is a group of women from a variety of places, backgrounds and denominations, who are here in Rochester, both short and long term with a desire to grow in their relationship with God, while supporting each other as medical wives. Being married to a physician or medical student brings with it a unique set of circumstances. We are here to pray for, love and encourage one another through whatever those circumstances might be, while spurring one another on in our personal relationships with Jesus Christ. We have weekly worship, prayer, small group Bible study and fellowship. We also get together for activities including girls' coffee nights, crafts, play dates with our children and more! See website for registration, current activities and meeting times.
Circle of Parents • Child Care Resource & Referral • 126 Woodlake Drive SE • 287-2020 • www.c2r2.org/home.htm Parenting! It's a tough job! Other parents understand... Weekly meetings at no cost to families. Parent led support group. Child care provided during meetings. Circle of Parents meets Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00pm.
Circle of Parents is a set of beliefs and an approach to strengthen and empower families and communities so that they can foster the optimal development of children, youth, and adult family members. Locally, Child Care Resource & Referral has been the sponsor of Circle of Parents since 1978. A parent support group with regular weekly meetings is available to help parents improve their parenting skills. The group offers information and support to parents as they learn new child-rearing techniques. During the meetings, parents share the difficulties and successes they have raising their children. A parent group leader is available to facilitate the meetings.
Choices • Rochester Community and Technical College, Heintz Center, Room A125 (851 30th Ave SE) • 280-3716 Choices is a Minnesota Displaced Homemaker program funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Economic Security and delivered by RCTC. Choices offers career, work, and personal development programs for individuals who are divorced, widowed, separated, affected by a partner's disability, experiencing a loss of other family assistance, or experiencing a major life change.
Minnesota Dads At Home • Ryan Shriver (Rochester MDAH contact) • rydishri@yahoo.com • http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mdah_roch (Rochester MDAH website) www.mdah.org (statewide MDAH website) Minnesota Dads At Home is a network of dads who stay home with their children, some part-time, some full-time, united by their commitment to their families. Until recently, local MDAH groups existed mainly in the Twin Cities, but recently a local, Rochester MDAH group was established. Visit the local website to find out about regularly scheduled playgroups and other get-togethers for local at-home dads and their families. Also check out their Facebook page (do a search for Minnesota Dads at Home). If you're an at-home dad (full- or part-time), this is definitely a group to check out.
Mothers & More • Quarry Ridge Apartments Clubhouse (1823 Quarry Ridge Place NW)
• 287-9076, Amy • moms@rochmoms.org • www.rochmoms.org Navigating the challenges of motherhood, work and life can be tough. Mothers & More, a nationwide organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers through support, education and advocacy, can help. The Rochester chapter of
Mothers & More consists of a diverse membership of intelligent, resourceful women. Some are full-time at-home mothers, others are employed either full or part-time, outside the home, or in home-based businesses. We meet regularly twice a month. Meetings are held at
Quarry Ridge Apartments Clubhouse on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Members are free to participate in as many or as few of the activities that are offered, according to their needs. Meetings featuring discussions and guest speakers, Playgroups,
Seasoned Moms group, Moms' Nights Out, WOW meetings (time to Work On Whatever), family outings, local monthly newsletter, and more. You may attend two meetings before becoming a dues paying member. We would love to have you join us!
A Mother's Heart • 282-3820 A Christian support network reaching out to moms while serving Homeschooling families in the Rochester area. Our monthly support meetings are held at 7:15 p.m. on the last Monday of the month at Berean Community Church, 3157 Kenosha Drive NW, Rochester. Bring a notebook and sense of humor.
Moms in Touch • 536-0584 (Teresa Carlson) • dtealcarlson@wmconnect.com You can make a difference in the lives of your children as well as the school they attend. Moms in Touch is an interdenominational, non-profit organization where two or more moms meet together for one hour each week to pray for their children and their schools. If you would like to know how to begin a group or join an existing group, please contact Teresa Carlson.
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) • www.mops.org MOPS exists to meet the needs of every mom — urban, suburban, and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single, and married moms — moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be! MOPS recognizes that the years from infancy to kindergarten (birth-6 yrs) are foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs.
MOPS is a non-denominational program. MOPS helps moms through relationships established in the context of local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today's mother of young children. Locally, there are numerous MOPS groups. The groups and their contact info are listed below.
• Join us for MOPS at Meadow Park for…
teaching, discussion, community, and creative projects and presentations. MOPS is for ALL mothers with children from birth through kindergarten. Child care is provided! The first meeting for the 2008-09 MOPS year will be Thursday, September 25 from 9:15-11:15am (meeting the second and fourth Thursdays of the month through the school year thereafter). Contact Judith for more information (judith@meadowparkchurch.com or 288-3293) or visit the Meadow Park Church of Christ website: www.meadowparkchurch.com.
• Christ Community Church - Childcare limited for all meetings-call for details
4400 55th St NW
282-5569
CCC's Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) - Meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month, September through May. Contact Betsy Ogren (Morning MOPS) at MorningMOPS@cccrochester.org or Melanie Biermeier (Evening MOPS) atEveningMOPS@cccrochester.org. Visit the CCC Evening MOPS website, www.geocities.com/eveningmops, for additional information.
CCC's Teen MOPS is an exciting ministry to encourage pregnant or parenting mothers ages 13-19. It meets 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Teen MOPS provides a meal for the teens as well as a MOPShop where the teens can purchase items they would like with MOPS Bucks. Diapers are also given away at each meeting. Visit theTeen MOPS website, www.geocities.com/mopsforteens/home, for additional information or contact Jessica Williams at TeenMOPS@cccrochester.org.
• Berean Community Church
3157 Kenosha Dr NW
289-4179
mail@bereancc.org www.bereancc.org
• Calvary Baptist Church
5905 Silas Dent Rd
289-6750
calroch@juno.com
• Rochester Assembly of God 4240 18th Ave NW 292-9694
MOPS meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Child care is provided. For more information, call.
MOPS at Autumn Ridge Church meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month, September through May, from 9:15 to 11:30 beginning on September 18, 2008. Childcare is provided.
La Leche League • www.lllusa.org/web/RochesterMN.html
La Leche League of Rochester offers both morning and evening meetings. Meetings last about 60-90 minutes. All Leader services are volunteers. Membership is offered but not required. La Leche League offers: mother-to-mother support, latest breastfeeding information and research, telephone help from accredited leaders, monthly meetings for pregnant women, mothers & babies, a lending library with books on breastfeeding & parenting, books and other items for sale. Local leaders are Beth 434-9141, Jenelle 456-8238, Aimee 536-3937, Jessica 288-4246, Jeanine 536-2874, Beth 282-5683, and Kate 288-6617. Visit La Leche League International on the web
www.lalecheleague.org or www.lllusa.org/web/RochesterMN.html.
Meetings held at Zumbro Lutheran Church, 624 3rd Ave. SW, Rochester. Babies are always welcome at meetings.
La Leche League of Southeast MN • Beth 434-9141, Jenelle 456-8238, Katie 256-4343 La Leche League of Southeast MN meets at St. Edward's Church, 2000 Oakland Ave W, Austin.
Women's Shelter Inc. • 285-1010 The Women's Shelter offers shelter, advocacy, intervention and transition housing. It is a shelter program for battered women and their children.
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) • P.O. Box 7245 • 280-6937 • www.chaddonline.org/chapters/chadd452.html With over 20,000 members and over 200 affiliates nationwide, CHADD is the nation's leading nonprofit organization serving individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). Through collaborative leadership, advocacy, research, education and support, CHADD provides science-based, evidence-based information about AD/HD to parents, educators, professionals, the media and the general public.
Locally, CHADD meets on the first Thursday of each month, October through November and January through May. Meeting and Program: 7-8pm. Support Groups: 8-9pm. CHADD meets at First Baptist Church, 415 16th Street, SW.
Do you know of other Parent Groups? Let us know. Send relevant information (organization's name, services they provide, phone number or e-mail address) to RochesterFamilies.com. E-mail us at lindy@rochesterfamilies.com.
