Orange County Partnership for Young Children North Carolina Smart Start

Welcome to the Orange County Partnership for Young Children

The Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every child in Orange County arrives at school healthy and ready to succeed. We focus on the early years of a child's life—from birth to age five—which is the most critical time in a child's development.

The Partnership works collaboratively with the community to identify issues and create solutions to the concerns facing young children and families. We design and fund model programs to ensure children and their families have the resources they need to get off to a smart start. Our programs focus on early childhood education, child health care, early intervention, parenting education and family support.

...................Headlines....................

Growing Healthy Kids...And Potatoes

CHOOSE A THUMBNAIL

Children participating in the Growing Healthy Kids program were able to see some of their work come to fruition this weekend. The Children and their families harvested some potatoes and other vegetables from the local community gardens. They then held a pot luck dinner at the Carrboro Untied Methodist Church. Where different recipes were shared and everyone was able to sample the some great produce.

James St Garden Ribbon Cutting

On Saturday May 30th the Partnership in collaboration with Duke Energy, O.C. Cooperative Extension, and the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund, celebrated a ribbon cutting at a third community garden site on James St. in Carrboro. The garden is part the Carrboro Growing Healthy Kids Project which has started two other commnity gardens in the area. Attending the ceremony were families participating in the garden along with Partnership board members, Duke Energy employees and retirees.

It was a beautiful morning to celebrate such a wonderful project and a great example of community collaboration. The garden serves the local faith community and James St residence.

For addtional information on the Growing Healthy Kids Project or the Healthy Kids Campaign iniative click here

Community Garden Workshop

http://www.orangesmartstart.org/download.php?mode=getFile&elementID=900&type=4&atomID=652

Recently, the Partnership along with Kidzu Children’s Museum and the Carrboro Farmers’ Market put on a workshop for local children and families. The workshop helped children learn the importance of good nutrition through learning stations and activities showing the many development stages of growing fruits and vegetables. The event was held at Carrboro Elementary school which is also the location of one of the Growing Healthy Kids Community gardens. The children and their families also had the opportunity to sample locally grown fruits and vegetables provided by the Carrboro Farmers’ Market. This learning experience was well attended and is a continued collaboration with the participating agencies.

2009 Smart Start Conference

http://www.orangesmartstart.org/download.php?mode=getFile&elementID=907&type=4&atomID=653

The 2009 Smart Start Annual Conference was held May 5-8 in Greensboro at Koury Convention Center. The event highlights the importance of early childhood programs and issues and provides an opportunity for people from across the country to attend workshops and seminars on varying issues. During the conference, awards were handed out to local Partnerships who met or exceeded the Performance Based Incentive System (PBIS). Our Partnership received a Bronze Award which also included a monetary stipend of $500. "We our proud of our accomplishments, but are also aware that we would not have reached this achievement without the dedication of our program partners and this community." Said Margaret Samuels, Partnership executive director.

Other News

•THE CARRBORO GROWING HEALTHY KIDS PROJECT

457.jpg.

Now in its Second Year the "Growing Healthy Kids Program," sponsored by The Orange County Partnership for Young Children has developed 3 community gardens in Carrboro, with funding from the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund. Families with young children are particularly encouraged to apply for gardening space. Guidance and support provided.
Come enjoy friendship and fresh produce. Sign up today!

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Gardening Sites
·Martin Luther King Park
·Carrboro Elementary School
·James St Community Garden

Garden Application [Spanish]
Garden Flyer [Spanish]



 

400.jpg
.

NCSECC CODE: 3512

Support Our Efforts


Donate

Our Newsletter

View Newsletter Archives

Family Fun Day

http://www.orangesmartstart.org/download.php?mode=getFile&elementID=863&type=4&atomID=622

On Wednesday October 15th The Carrboro Farmers' Market in collaboration with Kidzu Children's Museum, Lantern Restaurant, and the Partnership, put on  Fall Family Day.  A great time was had by all, with children taking part in pumpkin decorating and healthy activities, while parents sampled Fall treats from Chef Andrea Reusing. We would like to thank everyone that came out  and look forward to seeing you next Fall.

WUNC TV Garden Story

On Thursday November 6th WUNC Television will air a feature recognizing Carrboro as a North Carolina Fit Community. Begining at 7:30pm the segment will focus on Carrboro's community wide effort to provide a holistic approach to a healthier, more active lifestyle.

 

The Partnership in collaboration with the Town of Carrboro was able to secure a Fit Community designation by the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund. The Fit Community initiative recognizes and rewards North Carolina municipality and county-led efforts to promote physical activity and healthy eating programs, policies, environments and lifestyles. 

 

The Partnership then went onto secure a grant from the NC HWTF that started our Growing Healthy Kids Project. The project is part of the Healthy Kids Campaign and is curretnly funding and supporting families in two community gardens located in Carrboro.

 

After the segment airs it will be avaiable at the WUNC website

http://www.unctv.org/ncnow/fitcommunity/.

 

We hope you enjoy a look at a very special community that is working hard to support a healthier more active lifestyle for children and families.

Parents Employers Grantees