WORDS: Amy Treis
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
There is no magical algorithm to follow to become the perfect parent. Education, support, and dedication are the foundations for happy households. Katrina Bellemare, the Executive Director of Parenting Matters, focuses on ensuring that parents are supported in their most important role and that children grow up in a safe, nurturing home. She has directed her efforts in both Manatee and Sarasota counties, and as a result, the generational impact on healthy families has not reached a limit.
Katrina’s dedication to working directly with or on behalf of children led to her role as Executive Director. Her earlier days as a social worker at a residential treatment facility for boys with behavioral challenges led her to accept a position at Manatee Children’s Services residential shelter for children. She took pride in working with the kids and became a positive force during a difficult period in their lives.
Her humanitarian spirit carried her towards Parenting Matters 13 years ago. For the past eight years, her leadership has strived to fulfill the mission of ensuring that all families in the community have access to the skills and support needed to effectively parent their children.
Multi-faceted Approach to Parenting
Parenting Matters is comprised of many elements that are of value to families. It offers in-home parenting services, community-based groups, support, education groups, and parent-child learn and play classes.
These services are all possible because of the caring and dedicated Parenting Educators, who are experts on child development and parenting. Many also have additional expertise in parenting children with special needs, adoptive families, parents recovering from addiction, child abuse prevention, early learning, and predominantly Spanish-speaking families. Katrina is proud to state, “Our programs are customized, so we are addressing each family’s unique needs and goals.” These are important pieces that complete the puzzle of a joyful home life for both the parents and the children.
One of the key facets to the success of Parenting Matters is a parent’s perseverance.
Perseverance in adapting to some parenting strategies that will profoundly change how their child develops.
As Katrina said, “There is such a stigma in asking for parenting support. I believe the parents who do are the strongest parents out there. To me, it says I love my kids so much I want to learn how to be the best possible parent I can be.” Katrina is thrilled with the knowledge that parents are making real change that impacts their children’s futures.
Positive Outreach to Underserved
Although there is a plethora of rewarding benefits to being Executive Director of Parenting Matters, the one challenge that weighs on Katrina’s mind is the ability to reach all the parents who could benefit from the program. She states, “There are limited staff and financial support, and some families just do not know our program exists.” However, some initiatives and events planned for Parenting Matters should allow access to quality parenting information.
“We just launched Parenting Matters, the Podcast,” she says with pride. Steve Adams, one of the Board Members, is the host. In each episode, he interviews one of the Parenting Educators or other experts on parenting-related topics. “It is our hope that collective knowledge of our staff will be a valuable resource for families near and far.” Another great support of Parenting Matters will be the upcoming fundraiser, 10,000 Steps for 10,000 Families. This is a virtual walk/run taking place May 17th-27th, 2021.
All this valuable information can be found on the website, ParentingMattersFL.org or their Facebook page, facebook.com/ParentingMattersFL. It is truly through the community and sponsors’ support that allows organizations like Parenting Matters to continue to give back to the community and those that rely on its positive mission.
Katrina was also happy to share that Parenting Matters initiated “Ask Granny,” a blog series with one of the founders and former Program Director, Barbara Brownell. Parents can submit anonymous questions, such as, “Am I spoiling my baby,” to askgranny@parentingmattersfl.org and Barbara is quick to provide a warm, compassionate response full of practical tips and expertise.
There is nothing more pleasing than being reassured when doubt fills your heart and mind, and that is why Katrina believes blogs and podcasts can be so powerful to families, including those outside of Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Reflecting on Family Values
As Katrina cherishes helping families bond together, she herself surrounds herself in the loving embrace of her family. She is the proud stepmother to Cheyenne, Jathan, and Jewella, who are all grown, and along with her husband Jamie, is raising their 11-year-old daughter, Savannah.
They cherish their time outdoors and love to explore local shops and restaurants. She is quick to add that even though she is no Michelangelo or Monet, she shares a love of crafting and painting with Savannah. Finding shared interests is a key to developing a bond between parents and their children, and this can often open the door to parents struggling to relate to their children. Once again, Parent Educators are key in helping parents discover these precious tools.
Other Humanitarian Projects
Parenting Matters values its ability to give back to the community through its involvement in widespread initiatives. One such initiative is the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Parenting Matters desires to help children succeed in school, and with their collaboration with the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, they strive to ensure all children in the community can read at grade level by the end of third grade.
Another astounding initiative that Parenting Matters takes part in is the Two-Generation model of the Aspen Institute to end the generational cycle of poverty. This pilot program’s importance is to assist mothers, and their children in Sarasota County reach self-sufficiency through education, financial literacy training, family/parenting support, and relationship building.
These tie directly into the heart of what Parenting Matters hope to provide for the families in the community. Pride in oneself leads to inspiration for the younger generation. What parent would not want to be that inspiration to their own child?
“There is something caregivers have to understand: You have to ask for help. You have to realize that you deserve to ask for help.” – Gail Sheehy.
I believe that Parenting Matters instills this quote in every parent that dreams of providing the best life for their children. Parenting is not necessarily an innate skill, but it can be learned if the effort to learn is encouraged.
