JULY 2026
PRC PATHWAYS
Your monthly guide to Family Support, Community Resources, and Positive Action!
As summer continues, we’re excited to keep connecting with families through programs, events, and community partnerships. In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find highlights from recent events, upcoming opportunities, program updates, and ways to stay involved with the Parenting Resource Center. Thank you to our families, volunteers, community partners, and supporters for being part of our mission. Together, we’re creating a stronger, more welcoming community for everyone.
OUR CORE PILLARS
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
June was an active and meaningful month for Family Services. Our Family Fun in the Park series began on June 8 and continued through June 29. Each morning from 9:00–10:00 a.m., families joined us for movement activities such as exercise or dance, followed by story time, games, and a special take‑home craft. All children attended with a parent, and we encouraged parents to participate fully in the activities. We visited Shirley Theel Memorial Park on Mondays, Lafayette Park on Tuesdays, and Early Morning Lions Club Park on Thursdays. Attendance ranged from 2 to 10 children, with several families returning each week. We were also fortunate to have wonderful teen volunteers through the United Way Get Connected website supporting our efforts.
June 8 also marked the start of my work with Gretchen Erickson in the Reader’s Café. Gretchen, an Early Childhood Teacher, has organized and run this program independently for nearly 12 years across various school sites. This year, the Café is hosted at Woodson and provides a welcoming space for parents and children to read, play games, color, and create crafts together. It has become a natural place for parents to connect with one another and for us to learn more about the needs and experiences of families in our community. Reader’s Café operates during the free lunch period from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Since it has been such a valuable opportunity to build relationships, I will continue hosting the Café Monday through Thursday until July 30. Families are very excited about this extension.
We have also made adjustments to our Parent Connection program. The Wednesday morning session has been discontinued and replaced with an evening format. From 5:45–6:15 p.m., families share a meal; from 6:15–6:40, parents and children participate in a joint activity; and from 6:40–7:15, children spend time with volunteer caregivers while parents meet with me. Although our first two sessions had limited attendance due to scheduling conflicts and illness, as of June 23rd, we now have four families registered, representing nine children.
Parenting classes at the jail are temporarily suspended until July 1. When they resume, we will alternate weeks to ensure both the women’s and men’s groups receive support.
I also attended the 2026 Austin Aspires Community Block Party, where approximately 25 families stopped by to learn more about the services and resources we offer.
In addition, I completed two one‑on‑one sessions—one with a parent and stepparent seeking support, and another with a single mother.
Finally, an important part of my role continues to build relationships with organizations in Austin and surrounding communities. Strengthening these connections helps ensure that families facing challenges can be guided to the resources and support they need.
-Family Services Coordinator
SEIBEL CENTER
School is out, summer is here, and schedules are changing for many families. The Seibel Center is a great resource for parents who need a safe, neutral location for child exchanges during the summer months.
With children spending more time between households while school is out, exchanges can become more frequent and sometimes more challenging. Our center provides a structured environment that helps reduce conflict and stress, allowing children to focus on enjoying their time with both parents.
Families utilizing our exchange services can have peace of mind knowing that trained staff are present to facilitate a smooth transition. Our goal is to create a child-focused experience that promotes safety, consistency, and positive family interactions.
In addition to exchanges, children can enjoy our welcoming facility, including themed visitation rooms and outdoor play areas. As the weather warms up, families are taking advantage of our playground and open outdoor space, creating opportunities for connection and fun.
If you know a family that could benefit from supervised visitation or exchange services, we encourage them to reach out and learn more about how the Seibel Center can help.
Thank you for supporting our mission of keeping children safe while preserving family connections.
WELCOME CENTER
Welcome Center Connections: Building Bridges, Removing Barriers
What is the Welcome Center? Simply put, we are a place where people can find answers, support, and connections to resources that help them thrive in our community.
The Welcome Center serves individuals, families, employers, and organizations throughout Austin and the surrounding area. Whether someone is navigating a language barrier, needs help understanding available services, is applying for benefits, requires translation or interpretation assistance, or is looking for community resources, our team is here to help.
Every day, we work to solve challenges that can make it difficult for people to access the services they need. From helping someone obtain a driver’s license, complete important forms, connect with healthcare providers, enroll children in school, or understand public benefits, the Welcome Center serves as a bridge between community members and the resources available to them. We also provide translation and interpretation services that help both individuals and businesses communicate effectively and build stronger connections across cultures.
If you are unsure where to start, start with us.
SNAP Outreach: Helping Families Access Food Resources
One of the growing services offered through the Welcome Center is our SNAP Outreach program. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps eligible households purchase healthy food and stretch their grocery budgets.
Our SNAP Specialists provide free assistance with:
• Eligibility screenings
• SNAP applications
• Application follow-up
• Understanding SNAP benefits
• Connecting individuals with additional food resources
You may qualify for SNAP benefits, visit the Minnesota Food Finder website at mn.gov/dhs/mnfoodhelper to learn more and connect with assistance.
Connecting with the Community
June was a busy month for the Welcome Center team as we continued meeting people where they are.
We enjoyed participating in Downtown Dish and connecting with community members while sharing information about the many services available through the Welcome Center and PRC. Events like Downtown Dish provide valuable opportunities to answer questions, introduce new residents to local resources, and strengthen relationships throughout our community.
Our team also continues SNAP Outreach efforts at the Cedar River Farmers Market, helping community members learn about available food resources and how SNAP benefits can be used to support healthy eating.
In addition, we were proud to participate in Refugee Day Austin, celebrating the cultures, contributions, and stories that make our community stronger. These events remind us that creating a welcoming community requires all of us working together.
Invite Us to Your Organization
Would your organization, workplace, church, civic group, or community group like to learn more about the Welcome Center or SNAP Outreach services?
The Welcome Center team is available to provide presentations that explain:
• Who we are and who we serve
• Services available through the Welcome Center
• Translation and interpretation resources
• SNAP Outreach and food assistance programs
• How organizations can better connect community members to local resources
To request a presentation, contact us at associatedirector@prc-austinmn.org.
Together, we can ensure that everyone in our community knows where to turn when they need support, information, or assistance.
PREVENTION
Summer is a time for fun, freedom, and making memories, but it can also be a time when youth have more unsupervised time and increased exposure to risky behaviors. Prevention starts with connection, and one of the most effective ways to prevent substance use and other harmful behaviors is by maintaining strong relationships with the young people in our lives.
This summer, we encourage parents, caregivers, and community members to take advantage of opportunities to spend quality time with youth. Whether it’s sharing a meal, attending a community event, playing a game, or simply having a conversation, these moments build trust and create a foundation for healthy decision-making. Check out our calendar for all the events the PRC will be hosting this summer!
Research consistently shows that young people who feel connected to caring adults are less likely to engage in substance use and other risky behaviors. By staying involved, setting clear expectations, and creating open lines of communication, we can help youth navigate challenges and make positive choices.
As part of our commitment to supporting recovery and strengthening our community, we are proud to offer a Women’s Recovery Meeting every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Community Action Building. This group is open to women in all stages of recovery and provides a welcoming space for support, encouragement, and connection. We believe that recovery thrives in community, and women supporting women is a powerful part of that journey.
Together, we can create a community where every person feels supported, valued, and empowered to thrive.
World Refugee Day Celebration
On Sunday, June 28, we welcomed approximately 20–25 community members to our World Refugee Day celebration at the Community Action Building. The event brought together families and community members to recognize the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees in our community.
A special thank you to our guest speaker, Tracy, from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) for providing an informative presentation and answering many thoughtful questions from attendees. We appreciate everyone who participated in the discussion and helped make the event meaningful.
Guests enjoyed lunch from China Star along with fresh watermelon, while children had fun playing games. Thank you to everyone who joined us as we celebrated, learned from one another, and strengthened connections within our community.
We hope to continue this tradition and celebrate World Refugee Day together again next year.
Executive Director’s Corner
When people think about The Parenting Resource Center, they often think of our classes, events, and larger community programs. While those initiatives are important, some of the most meaningful work happens quietly behind the scenes.
So far in 2026, our diaper program has helped 162 families, and our Basic Needs Pantry has provided support to 55 individuals thanks to the generosity of the Austin Area Foundation and other community partners. While a package of diapers, toiletries, or household essentials may seem like a small thing, for families facing financial stress, those items can make a significant difference. Sometimes easing just one burden allows a parent to focus on paying a bill, putting food on the table, caring for their children, or simply taking a breath.
At The Parenting Resource Center, we are committed to looking at the whole picture and responding to the real needs of our community. While we continue to offer innovative programs and services, we also recognize that these smaller supports are often the foundation that helps families remain stable and resilient. By helping meet immediate needs, we can create space for families to focus on their goals, strengthen relationships, and move forward with confidence.
This work is especially meaningful to me because I know firsthand what it feels like to need support. As a young mother, there were times when my family relied on food pantries and community organizations for clothing, formula, and other necessities. Those experiences taught me that asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it is often a sign of perseverance and hope.
One of my hopes for our community is that we continue to break down the stigma surrounding the need for support. Life can be challenging, and none of us are meant to carry every burden alone. We all experience seasons in life when we need a hand up. That is part of being human. When we create a culture where asking for help is accepted and encouraged, we create a community where people can move from simply surviving to truly thriving.
Not every success story begins with a major program. Sometimes it starts with a package of diapers, a pantry item, or a neighbor caring for a neighbor. These quiet acts of support may not always make headlines, but they are making a meaningful difference every day.
We are grateful for the donors, partners, volunteers, and community members who make this work possible and help ensure that no one has to face life’s challenges alone.
— Crystal Vandevender
Executive Director
