To the editor:
I am inspired by the first 100 days our President Obama is facing and am committing myself in the next 100 days to change something about myself, my family and my community.
The list is long and since one of my goals is to focus, I will do just that to begin.
I am calling on our community to join me in making sure every child born in Island County is given a chance to grow-up loved, secure, prepared to learn and be a happy, contributing person on this planet.
The first 100 days of a child’s life are probably the most important days of a newborn’s life. Studies indicate that the brain of the human grows more in the first 5 years of a life than at any other time. Economics tell us that the cost of imprisonment for those who have been at risk in their early childhood comes not even close to the cost of improving our care and support to parents, guardians and kids. We have far too many people in prisons, costing us $23,000 a year for one person. Let us begin to change this pattern.
With volunteers, no cost and just a few hours each month, I am proposing that we begin a Mother Mentors program. The Mother Mentor will be trained to help the mother, in her home, in anyway she might like. The volunteer would spend two hours two and three times a week during the first month, then a bit less for the next two months.
Tasks could be anything from holding the baby so that mom can nap, take a shower or read a book.
It might be reading or entertaining the older sibling so mom can be with the baby. It might be doing the dishes, folding laundry and getting something started for dinner. It might be a conversation over a cup of tea, listening to the mom, encouraging her and asking her what she needs most in her day.
Raising a child has always taken a village and in this century, with extended families often no longer available to provide support, we in the village must fill up the void.
Join me in the next 100 days to begin this very simple journey that will bring enormous results. We need to gather a group, find a sponsor or umbrella from which to proceed. The Partners for Young Children of the Island County Children’s Commission supports this idea. We want to have every child loved, secure and ready to learn. We want every child to reach their highest potential and every child to graduate from high school prepared for college and meaningful work.
Let’s start with the next 100 days. We are the village that can say, “YES WE CAN.” E-mail me at kristinlasher@yahoo.com with your interest and look for more information in this paper with a date and a location to meet.
Kristin Lasher
Clinton
