We Love Our Head Start

  Head Start workers have been asking to meet with Children's Friend & Service to talk about the future of the program they have worked their whole lives to build, in order to ensure stability for the children and families we work with when Children's Friend takes over.  But Children's Friend still hasn't responded.

Children’s Friend should commit to work with us to continue building Head Start TOGETHER.

 

Click TAKE ACTION to send a letter in support of the future of the Head Start program to Children’s Friend Executive Director David Caprio and to RI’s Congressional Delegation.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Our Community Urges You to Meet with Head Start Staff

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am troubled by your refusal to meet with the current employees of Head Start or retain them as employees as your organization takes over management of the federal Head Start grant for Providence & Blackstone Valley. These employees have an average of 15 years of service, many of them are former Head Start parents, and they all have deep ties within our community. They are a valuable asset for the future success of the Head Start program as a large number of current Head Start parents have testified.

You have told these employees- many of whom have dedicated their entire lives to building this Head Start- that they can apply for a job with Children Friend's if they see it announced on your website or in the Providence Journal.

Your actions have turned what should have been a smooth transition into utter chaos- creating confusion and disorder where there ought to have been stability and continuity. I am adding my voice to the chorus of people calling on you to work with the current employees of Head Start to continue building the best program possible-rehiring them and agreeing to meet with them and their chosen representatives immediately.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 28, 2009


Background Information

  

This spring Children Friends and Service was awarded the Federal Head Start Contract for Providence and Blackstone Valley. But they’ve taken over the program without a commitment to retain the staff and teachers who have dedicated years in service to our community in this program. 

Lilia Roberson was herself a Head Start student. She began  volunteering and working at the program in 1994. Last year she and her coworkers voted for union representation with SEIU 1199.  Now Children’s Friend and Service is threatening their livelihood and vocation.  Lilia talked with Jobs with Justice about her experience:

“We always stayed consistent to our job.  We went there every day, knowing that we might not have a job tomorrow.  You have to understand, someone doing this for 15, 20 years – this is not their job any more, this is their calling.  They’re going to wake up every day and do it because they enjoy it.” 

Head Start Staff received support from the Providence City Council as they passed a resolution introduced by Councilman Aponte. Read more about Head Start Workers here.