In hopes of receiving donations for the First Place Kids Center, students of the Family and Human Services at the University’s College of Education are hosting a benefit concert tonight at Cozmic Pizza.
First Place Kids Center, a program of St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, is a non-profit therapeutic preschool for youth at risk. First Place Kids Center is different than a simple day care because it works to relieve the trauma of homelessness through a supportive environment. It is affiliated with First Place Family Center, an organization that assists families with free clothing, laundry and food bags, among other things. The Put Kids First Benefit Concert is an opportunity for the community to offer support and resources towards their services.
“First Place is a day shelter for homeless families,” said Jake Spavins, First Place Kids Center director. “It’s a challenge to balancing out and providing this great service for people who need it.”
There are currently 13 children enrolled in the curriculum, and many students are also a part of another community program partner called Head Start. The curriculum focuses on managing a child’s emotions by responding to his or her needs and offering a positive alternative.
First Place Kids Center is also a space for family interaction. Spavins said it helps parents alleviate the troubles of finding work or housing by displaying a sense of unity for their children.
“Kids don’t have a lot of stability in their lives.” Spavins said. “The more stability, structure, routine and safety, the better it’s going to be for them.”
First Place Kids Center’s internship program also helps assess a child’s emotional process on a more intimate level. University junior Cheyenne Peters, an intern at the center, said she works with children on a daily basis. Peters started the Put Kids First Benefit Concert through a class project. She wanted to organize an event that was welcoming and addressed the impact of services for homeless youth.
“What makes the preschool special is the interactions we do with the kids is very therapeutic.” Peters said. “We really work with these kids’ needs based on their previous experiences and what they’ve gone through.”
Latisha Malone, mother of a hearing-impaired child, works full-time as a receptionist at Bell Real Estate, Inc. First Place Kids Center has helped her manage expenses of paying for school and housing. The organization has also guided Malone in finding a solution for her son’s disability. She said she thinks fundraising by community members is necessary to help both new and working parents.
“A lot of children don’t have, like, the basic things, like dish soap,” Malone said. “It’s really important that the community and agencies put on all the fundraisers and charities throughout this area.”
First Place Kids Center has hosted a previous marathon relay for fundraising. Students of the Family and Human Services program are also planning a benefit talent show in March. With budget shortfalls affecting First Place Kids Center’s valuable service, Spavins said he hopes the concert will generate enough donations to keep it thriving.
“This fundraiser is a great opportunity for us,” Spavins said. “We can’t continue doing the important work we do if we don’t get community support.”
The benefit concert will include artists Lauren Walter-Rozells, The Ramblin Jacks, Sol Seed, and Scott Austin and Band. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $3.
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Students to host benefit concert for First Place Kids Center
Daily Emerald
February 24, 2011
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