2008 Promising Projects — Enhancing the Lives of Children and Their Families

The Petoskey Montessori Children’s House (PMCH), established in 1973, is one of only six center-based programs in Emmet County offering care for children newborn through three years of age. They received Frey Foundation funding to embark on a two-year journey to attain full Montessori accreditation of their Infant Community program. PMCH plans to partner with North Central Michigan College to increase educational credentials for staff, and Columbus Montessori Teacher Education Program to improve the overall quality of the care they provide.

Upon achieving full accreditation, PMCH would become the only center-based program in the county accredited beyond the minimum standards required by the State of Michigan.

South End Community Outreach Ministries (SECOM) received funding to support their expanded services targeted to families struggling to meet the unique nutritional needs of infants and toddlers. Typically, families with young children must make do with the items available through the food pantry, often making nutritional sacrifices that, research proves, can have long term negative effects on their children. SECOM, already a partner in Kent County’s food network, plans to make available food supply items tailored specifically to infants and toddlers including baby cereal, formula, and jarred baby food. In addition, SECOM plans provide nutritional education support (in partnership with Michigan State University Extension) and with the help of local volunteers child care for young families who access the new service.