Parent Ed Ends Year Celebrating Achievements and Honoring Shining Star, Kathy Kovalcik

The La Cañada Presbyterian Church’s (LCPC’s) Parent Education Program capped the end of its 39th year by celebrating the program’s achievements and honoring this year’s Shining Star, Kathy Kovalcik.

In the 2017 – 2018 program year, Parent Ed offered 16 classes, including three all new highly successful evening classes (Parenting Tweens, Spiritual Parenting, and Surviving Middle School) and additional daytime classes for Parents of Elementary Kids and Parents of Tweens. Over 515 people participated in the programs that were offered. Several members of the volunteer board and staff also began a detailed study of the past, present, and future of Parent Ed by exploring ways in which the program can expand to new families in the coming years.

Parent Ed’s annual fundraiser, “Keep Calm and Bowl On,” on February 24, 2018, raised over $40,000, the highest in the program’s history, as well as over $4,000 for the Founders’ Scholarship Fund, an ongoing fund to ensure that the program is not cost prohibitive to anyone. 10% of fundraising earnings, this year totally $4100, will be given back to the community in July to non-profit ministries supporting families and children. In addition, this year Parent Ed established the Christopher Erskine Compassion Memorial in honor of Christopher Erskine who passed away earlier in the year. Funds from this memorial will be used for “individuals/families in need to reflect Christopher’s generous spirit.” Over $6,000 have been donated to this memorial as of May, 2018.

Each year, Parent Ed presents the “Shining Star” to a person who “has had a significant impact on the community–especially its families & children.” This year’s recipient, Kathy Kovalcik, is a mother of 2 boys, who has been involved in Parent Ed since 1997. She has served in numerous volunteer roles with Parent Ed, LCPC, the La Canada schools, and the community at large. In addition to Kovalcik’s heart for service, she also is known through the area as an exceptional baker and hostess who generously distributes her love language of hospitality to anyone in need.

Finally, Parent Ed had the amazing opportunity to be part of and witness to the generous support of the So Cal Honda Dealers who provided a service dog to Jude Dematteis, son of long time Parent Ed participants. Jude is a four year old boy who suffers from medical posttraumatic stress disorder and was in need of a service dog to assist him at medical appointments and procedures.

Parent Ed will begin its 40th year in September. If you have a child between 0-18, we have a class for you. For more information, please go to www.lacanadapc.org/parented for class listings, staff bios, and online registration. Scholarships and payment plans are available. Affordable childcare is offered during all class times. La Cañada Presbyterian Church is located at 626 Foothill in La Cañada.