JUNE 2026
PRC PATHWAYS
Your monthly guide to Family Support, Community Resources, and Positive Action!
Summer is almost here, and with it comes new opportunities to connect, learn, and support one another. In this month’s newsletter, we’re sharing recent accomplishments, upcoming events, program updates, and ways you can stay involved with the work happening at PRC. We are grateful for the individuals, families, volunteers, partners, and supporters who help make our mission possible. Together, we continue building a stronger, more connected community.
OUR CORE PILLARS
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
Family services enjoyed participating in the 2026 Taste of Nations event. At our table the kids and some adults made windsocks that said, “Every shade of beautiful,” greetings in several different languages and one with a globe theme. With the help of three student volunteers, we had 42 people make a windsock.
Our re-parenting classes for incarcerated men have been well attended and continue to provide valuable support to participants.
We have also had some one-on-one coaching sessions both in person and on the phone. Parents appreciate this approach because it addresses the issue they are having now and then I can then invite them to our Parent Connection group for additional support.
We received a donation of $150 from a private donor to help with expenses for the Family Fun in the Park activities. Many of the supplies we’re purchasing will be reusable, allowing us to continue offering engaging activities for families throughout the summer and beyond.
Due to demand for evening classes, we have discontinued our support groups and have decided to try a one night a week, Parent/Child class starting Wednesday, June 10th from 5:45 pm – 7:15 pm. Families will be offered a meal between 5:45 pm and 6:15 pm, then we will have parent/child activity until 6:40 pm. Then the parents will go to the support & education parent group, and the kids will stay with the childcare providers. At 7:15 the class is finished. We will cover a variety of topics, Social Emotional Learning, modeling self-regulation, Social Media and Screen Time and basic ages and stages.
I will be working with the Reader’s Cafe at Woodson for the month of June. Kids will be offered to check out books to read and even bring home. They can return them and take another one home. There will be some quiet games, coloring pages and crafts when kid come to eat lunch.
Free breakfast and lunch will be offered to all children ages 1-18 at the following locations: Austin High School Doors #6 & #1, Ellis Middle School Door #1, Sumner Elementary Door #1 and CLC @ Woodson.
Breakfast is served from 8 am – 9 am & Lunch is served from 11 am to 1 pm.
SEIBEL CENTER
As the weather gets warmer, families are once again able to enjoy our outdoor playground space at the Seibel Center. The outdoor area gives families the opportunity to reconnect and spend quality time together in a fun and active environment. Our space is fully equipped with a playground for younger children, along with plenty of open space for kids of all ages to play and enjoy the outdoors together. We are excited to continue providing a welcoming environment where families can build positive memories and connections.
WELCOME CENTER
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and supported this year’s Taste of Nations celebration. From the incredible food vendors and community organizations to the volunteers, and attendees, the event once again showcased the diversity and strength of our community.
As we begin planning for next year’s event, we invite attendees to complete our Taste of Nations survey, and share feedback to help us continue improving the experience for everyone. Community members interested in joining the 2027 Taste of Nations Planning Committee are encouraged to email associatedirector@prc-austinmn.org to learn more about how to get involved in shaping next year’s celebration.
This summer, the Welcome Center is also expanding outreach efforts through our SNAP Outreach Program. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps individuals and families access healthy food and reduce food insecurity. Our SNAP Specialists are available to help community members determine eligibility, complete applications, and answer questions throughout the process. Community members can begin the application process online through Minnesota Food Help helper, and receive additional support from a SNAP Specialist if needed. Outreach events and tabling opportunities will continue throughout the summer as we work to connect more families with available resources and support services.
PREVENTION
This summer will be filled with sober game nights! Join us at the Community Action Building for the first event in this series on Friday, June 20th for Trivia Night! Come enjoy a fun, supportive evening with friends, laughter, and community connection. More details can be found on our website.
We are also excited to share that the Women’s Recovery Meeting has officially launched! The group meets every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Community Action Building. This meeting is open to women in all stages of recovery and provides a welcoming space for encouragement, connection, and support. If you or someone you know could benefit from a supportive recovery community, we encourage you to attend because women supporting women is a beautiful thing.
Executive Director’s Corner
Those of us who grew up in the 90’s probably hears the word “prevention” and immediately think of programs like D.A.R.E. While those efforts had good intentions, prevention is so much more than just telling people what not to do. Here at PRC, we are taking a different approach to prevention—one that is holistic and family-centered. We recognize that families do not experience struggles in isolation. Stress, trauma, financial hardship, relationship changes, and mental health challenges ripple through entire households. By supporting the whole family unit, we can help create healthier patterns, stronger relationships, and more stable futures for both children and adults alike.
To us, prevention means working on challenges before they become crises. It means reducing the stigma around asking for help and reminding people that needing support is part of being human. It means reaching out to your community, connecting families to resources, and working together to create a healthier future for everyone.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what prevention truly looks like in our everyday work. Prevention can look like helping parents navigate difficult transitions in healthier ways. It can look like teaching financial literacy skills that reduce stress inside the home. It can look like creating welcoming community events where families feel connected instead of isolated. Sometimes prevention simply looks like making sure someone feels seen, heard, and supported before life reaches a breaking point. What does that look like for me as the leader of this organization? It means continually looking at what families in our community truly need and directing our programming toward those needs. It means finding ways to fill gaps—whether that’s through support services, education, prevention efforts, or opportunities for meaningful community connection. As our community changes, our programs must be willing to evolve alongside it. Ensuring that our work reflects the real and current needs of the families we serve remains my number one priority.
Every day, our staff has conversations with families who are trying their best while navigating incredibly complicated circumstances. We see firsthand how access to education, support, resources, and community can change the trajectory of a family over time.
That’s why our work continues to evolve. Whether it’s expanding parent education opportunities, strengthening language accessibility, offering community-based classes, or creating spaces for healthy family connection, our goal remains the same: helping families build stability, resilience, and hope for the future.
Strong communities are built through strong relationships—and prevention starts there.
— Crystal Vandevender
Executive Director
