Gifts for children in the Angel Tree program.
For many children, Christmas morning is a time of excitement as they race to see what Santa has brought them. But, for some living at or near the poverty line, it can be a difficult time of year. As the cost of living continues to rise, many parents struggle to meet everyday needs – while creating magical Christmas memories. The Tampa Y’s 5th Annual “Angel Tree Gift Drive” seeks to alleviate some of the holiday stresses of parents enrolled in the Y’s Early Head Start Program.
Starting On the Right Foot
The Early Head Start (EHS) Program provides family-centered resources to low-income families with young children. The Tampa Y EHS program is a delegate agency of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Head Start/Early Head Start program. The goal of the program is to partner with family childcare homes throughout specific zip codes in Hillsborough County and provide full-day, full-year comprehensive services to children and their families from birth to three years old.
Currently there are 70 families, with a total of 80 children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old receiving support in promoting the children’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Through Early Head Start, these families receive resources in a variety of ways – all designed to help parents in their role as primary caregivers and teachers of their children.
Assistance can range from promoting healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, to programs and offerings that promote healthy family functioning. This time of year, this includes rallying the Y staff around “angel” support of the Y’s EHS families.
Angels Among Us
Throughout the month of December, employees at the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA have had the chance to pick an “angel” from the tree – and purchase a present for a child enrolled in the EHS program. Becoming an angel for a young child, this staff member has the chance to positively impact the learning and development of a child enrolled in the program.
An EHS parent shares, “The program itself is great and providing a gift is that much more meaningful. The gift [my child] Angel received last year, was her only gift. I just moved to our apartment two weeks before Christmas, I couldn't afford one more thing at that point. I really appreciated it and we still have most of the music set pieces. It might seem small, but it has a great and far-reaching impact.”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play “enhances brain structure and function and promotes executive function, which allow us to pursue goals and ignore distractions.”
By providing children with toys, employees at the Tampa Y are setting them on a path to academic and social success.
Learn more about the Early Head Start program today!
Published Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022