PRC PATHWAYS

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES

Family Services began offering classes at the Mower County Jail on March 23rd. We also recently completed the final session of the three-part Parenting Pre-Schoolers series in Lyle. Next week, we plan to offer Raising Resilient Kids in Lyle as well, pending sufficient enrollment.

Parent Support & Education Groups

We’ve started promoting several new support and education groups for parents and caregivers:

• Parents of Children with ADHD: Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, beginning May 5th, at the Community Action Building.
• Parenting…Again (Grandparents raising grandchildren or providing regular care): Begins April 8th at 1:00 p.m., held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Community Action Building.
• Foster Parent Support Group: Meets the 4th Thursday of each month, beginning April 23rd at 6:30 p.m.

Community Collaboration

We’ve met with Michelle, Jess and Makayla at Austin Aspires, Linda and Jamie at Rachel’s Hope, Amy Goette from ECFE, Jennifer Lawhead (Community Ed Director), and Julie Clinefelter from the Austin Public Library to identify service gaps and coordinate efforts. While we aim to avoid duplicating services, sometimes offering similar programming on different days or at different times can actually increase accessibility for families.

Community Engagement

We participated in the Community Connect event on March 12th at Riverland. With more than 46 vendors and over 300 attendees, it was a strong turnout. Special thanks to Dora Arizola, our Social Services Advocate, for her support and for being an important part of our team’s presence at the event.

Reframing Parenting Education

We are exploring new ways to reframe parenting education. There’s still a stigma around these classes—many people assume they’re only for “bad parents” or that they’re court-ordered. We can offer as many classes and groups as we want, but if the messaging doesn’t resonate, families who could benefit may never walk through the door.

Parenting today looks very different than it did even a decade ago. Families are navigating constant battles over electronic devices, reduced face-to-face communication, and children’s access to online content they may not be ready for. Our goal is not to lecture parents, but to create spaces where they can talk openly, share experiences, build awareness, and find practical solutions together.

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Mother’s Day Tea Fundraiser

We’re excited to host our first fundraiser led by our Family Services Coordinator—a Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, May 2nd at 10 a.m. This event is shaping up to be a lovely celebration for mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, and families.

What to Expect

We’ll be serving a selection of sweet and savory finger foods, coffee, tea, and cool beverages. Guests will also enjoy live music by Brynn Sathrie, who will be performing guitar and vocals during the event.

Fashion Show

Maurice’s and Gypsy K clothing stores are partnering with us to present a Mother’s Day fashion show, adding a fun and stylish element to the morning.

Community Support

We’re grateful to Hy-Vee and The Hardy Geranium for donating flowers for our centerpieces. We’ll continue reaching out to local businesses for additional floral donations and possibly some assistance with food items.

Professional Photos

Crystal—who is a professional photographer—will be taking photos in front of a decorated backdrop so families can capture a special Mother’s Day memory.

Tickets

$25 for ages 12 and up

$15 for children under 12

Tickets can be purchased online. Call 507-438-1270 if you or anyone you know needs help purchasing tickets or prefers not to pay online.

WELCOME CENTER

As spring arrives, the Welcome Center at the Parenting Resource Center continues to be a steady and welcoming space for individuals and families seeking support, connection, and guidance. April is a time of transition for many in our community, and our team remains focused on meeting people where they are whether that’s helping navigate public benefits, completing important legal documents, or connecting families to the resources they need to move forward with stability and confidence.

Throughout March, we saw a continued increase in families accessing support for SNAP, MNSure, and other essential services, along with a growing need for document assistance and follow-up care. As we move into April, our focus expands beyond initial services to strengthening long-term support ensuring families not only receive help but feel equipped to navigate systems on their own over time.

What’s Coming Up in April:

Support & Financial Stability
Following the close of tax season, our team will assist families in understanding how refunds may impact benefits such as SNAP and CASH, while also connecting them to stability resources.

Increased Follow-Up & Case Support
April will emphasize deeper follow-up with families served in the first quarter of the year, ensuring needs are fully met and identifying opportunities for additional support through PRC programs.

Employment & Resource Navigation
With seasonal job shifts underway, we will support individuals seeking employment resources, applications, and referrals to local workforce partners.

Community Outreach & Partnership Building
Our outreach efforts will continue to grow, focusing on strengthening relationships with local organizations and ensuring that all community members, especially those facing language or cultural barriers, know where and how to access support.
At its core, the Welcome Center is more than a service hub; it is a place of trust, dignity, and opportunity. Every interaction is rooted in respect and a commitment to helping families build a stronger future.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Welcome Center services, we encourage you to reach out or visit us at the Community Action Building. Together, we continue to build a more connected and supported community.

Taste of Nations is Back – May 16!

We’re excited to announce that Taste of Nations is returning on Saturday, May 16! This annual event brings our community together to celebrate culture, connection, and cuisine from around the world — and we can’t wait to gather again.

As we prepare for this special evening, we’re currently seeking sponsors to help make the event a success. Sponsorship is a great opportunity to showcase your support for the community while gaining visibility for your business or organization.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Sponsorship contributions can be submitted by dropping off a check at the Community Action Building, 105 1st St SE, during regular business hours, or by making a secure donation online.

PREVENTION

Spring has finally arrived and the end of the school year is on the horizon! Though the Prevention program has overgone (and continues to undergo) significant changes, it’s commitment to supporting and celebrating our local schools and youth remains unchanged.

Soon, school’s will be holding their end-of-year traditions — prom, graduation, family fun nights — which means the Mobile Action Coalition (MAC) games trailer will be busy bringing entertainment and protective factors to children in our community. This time of year, the MAC is in high demand. If you’re interested in utilizing the MAC for an event, you’re encouraged to place a request as soon as possible via the digital request form at prc-austinmn.org/prevention.

If you’d like to find out more about protective factors and how they help combat Adverse Childhood Experiences and decrease future substances misuse risks, click here!