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By Laura James Hunter

Special to The Lowndes Signal

The Lowndes County Board of Education Head Start held a Community Resources Workshop on Oct. 16 on the Hayneville Town Square. The agency invited community representatives from around Lowndes County and surrounding areas to come out and inform Head Start parents, guardians and the community of all the valuable resources they provide. 

The Council on Substance Abuse (COSA) provided a wealth of information and resources on the recovery process. Representatives from the Family Guidance Center of Alabama Kids and Kin were present to describe the free statewide program offering support and assistance for grandparents, aunts, uncles and older siblings who provide childcare for their relatives’ children. Community members learned that participants could earn $150 worth of educational material and a smoke detector or first-aid kit. 

Information was distributed by the Family Sunshine Center regarding abuse and how to receive assistance, like counseling and housing. During the event the Hayneville/Lowndes Public Library distributed applications for obtaining a library card and accepted donated books.

The Home Instructional Preschool Program for Youngsters (HIPPY) was available to register eligible children. Hope Inspired Ministries was also on hand to describe the program available to help individuals overcome life-challenging circumstances.

During the workshop, Head Start recruited families and worked to promote literacy. Program fathers also spoke to individuals about the importance of male involvement for a child to succeed educationally and socially as part of Head Start’s fatherhood initiative, Real Talk Real Men.

The Lowndes County Department of Human Resources distributed pamphlets which outlined the services they provide. The Lowndes County Disabled American Veterans held a membership drive and provided resources for veterans. 

Lowndes County Unincorporated Waste and Water Program (LCUWP) was there to explain how their board is working diligently to improve the quality of life of rural Lowndes County residents through the septic tank replacement, housing rehabilitation and community educational outreach programs.

Selma AIR, is a wellness center which works to prevent the spread of HIV and deaths from AIDS across the Black Belt of Alabama by providing comprehensive educational opportunities, access to quality health services including free HIV testing, and resources related to improving the quality of life for persons living with the virus. The agency provided free HIV/AIDS testing to community members during the workshop.  

Tenease Lawrence, a Central Head Start parent, and Chequita Surles Johnson from Jackson-Steele Head Start distributed voter registration applications and emphasized the deadlines for completing the process in order to vote on Nov. 5.

Laura James-Hunter is the Family and Community Partnerships Manager for the Lowndes County board of Education Head Start.