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August 27, 2004/Elul 10 5763, Vol. 55, No. 49
JCC opens Parent Center
LILA BALTMAN
Special to The Jewish News
The Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center (JCC) has added another dimension to its Early Childhood Center - the Parent Center.
Offering a wide variety of educational, cultural, recreational and social programs for parents and their children, ages birth to 5 years, "the Parent Center is a place for you and your child to start your lives together," explains Audrey Lewis, Parent Center director. "We want parents and their young children to learn, play and laugh together and share in the beauty of our Jewish traditions."
Having recently returned to the Valley from Chicago, Lewis has a bachelor's degree in arts from the University of Arizona where she majored in marketing and psychology and minored in Hebrew. She has worked closely with the Jewish community for the past 20 years, holding such positions as the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization director at the Miami JCC and former assistant director for Temple Chai's religious school.
Lewis also has extensive experience teaching, tutoring and developing curriculums for children of all ages.
"I am thrilled to be back in the Phoenix Jewish community," says Lewis, "and I look forward to creating a special place here at the JCC where parents can connect with each other to help strengthen the bonds of our community."
Adds Joanie Char-now, director of the JCC's Early Child-hood Center, "We are extremely lucky to find and hire some-one of Audrey's cali-ber.
"Audrey's extensive experience working with children of all ages, as well as working with different Jewish communities, is a perfect fit for the Valley of the Sun JCC as well as the Early Childhood Center. We know that the children and the parents will love her the minute they meet her."
The center's first program is 10 a.m. today (Friday, Aug. 27) and features Allison Morgan from KIDSAFE discussing ways to childproof the home. Future programs will include: "Talking to Children Through Their Feet ... Reflexology" and a "Car Seat Safety Check." Most programs are open to both JCC members and non-members.
Call Audrey Lewis, 480-659-7769, ext. 1703.
Future Parent Center programs
- "Fun with the Family," a family fun day for families with preschool-age children, will be held 9:45-11:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 29. The program includes pottery painting and a snack during the first hour and staff will watch children during the second hour while the adults relax by the pool or work out in the gym. Cost is $30 per nonmember family, $20 members.
- "Raising Humane Beings," a series of parenting workshops led by Jane Fendelman, will begin 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13. The series continues on Mondays, Sept. 27, Oct. 11, Oct. 25, Nov. 8 and Nov. 22. Cost is $90 individual, $55 spouse for members; and $100 individual, $65 spouse for nonmembers.
- "Tot and Company," classes for children ages 12 to 24 months with their parents, meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Goals of the class include increasing self-esteem and social skills as well as improving physical and fine-motor coordination. Children must be walking. Members only.
All programs at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. To attend, call 480-659-7769.
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