My name is Felecia Veale-Buckson and I am a Site Manager for the Y of Central Maryland Head Start. I manage our Merritt Park, Fleming and Towson Head Start Centers. I have worked for many years servicing children and families throughout Maryland. Through my blog I hope to bring readers closer to Head Start and the amazing work we do for children and families.On March 11, 2010 our Fleming Center hosted “Lunch With Dad” as a way to boost male involvement. Each child was given an invitation to attend with a male who plays a role in the child’s life. This meant dads, step dads, granddads, uncles, male cousins… any positive male. On the day of the lunch, we were happy to see the number of men who attended and one mother. Yes, one mother. As the men filed into the room I approached mom and asked why she was going into the lunch room with the males. She responded “I am her mother and father…, and she ask me if her daddy did not show up to the house in the morning could she still have lunch and I told her yes.” Needless to say dad did not show up as promised and mom was very adamant about her decision. While we were talking, unbeknown to us, a father of twins in the program and a neighbor of the mother walked up to us and said “if you don’t mind, I will take her in the room with me and my children; she can eat with us.” I saw the relief on mom’s face; she agreed and allowed her daughter to go in the room with the others. I told mom that she did the right thing and I understood her reasons and applauded her efforts. The lunch was a great success the children enjoyed the time spent with the males, they took pictures and made plans for other activities. That’s why “IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD.”
Posted by Felecia Veale-Buckson, Baltimore County Head Start Site Manager, Y of Central Maryland
