The Family College Pilot Project

The South Ward Children's Alliance (SWCA) is a community-based organization that coordinates and integrates early childhood and school programs and other initiatives and services for children in Newark's South Ward. SWCA is a project of B.R.I.C.K. (Building Responsible Intelligent Creative Kids), which operates two elementary schools in the South Ward. SWCA is based in large part on the Harlem Children's Zone approach.

This project supports The Family College, a nine-week parenting education program that combines early child development and parenting skills workshops with home visits to help support expectant parents in the South Ward as well as parents and caregivers of children from birth to age three. The program helps participants increase their knowledge and skills in parenting and early child development and provides a way for families in the South Ward to connect with each other, strengthen community relationships, and build social cohesion. The program also serves as an entry point into SWCA’s pipeline of resources and services that support children and youth from “cradle through college and career.”  

Learn more:

South Ward Children's Alliance