La Cañada Presbyterian Church’s Parent Ed Kicks Off 42nd Year During its Annual Board Retreat

Front Row (L-R): Stephanie Ginn, Anne Bierling, Grace Lee, Vicki Rekedal, Claudia Alcaraz – Hope Gardens, Amanda Baughman, Reverend Andy Bales – Union Rescue Mission CEO; Back Row (L-R): Charlotte Miller, Katy Ridell, Tricia MacLaren, Katrina Harbers, Georgina Mueller, Lynne Graves, Cathy Steward, Stephanie Ferguson, Sloan Walsh, Paula Giboney, Jana Van Dyck, Betty Bredemann, Monica Skeehan, Jan Roberts, Geoff Millican – Hope Gardens Youth Program Manager, Tracy Tobias, Fonda Whitehead – Hope Gardens Program Director. Credit: Yoana Orduno – Hope Gardens

La Cañada Presbyterian Church’s (LCPC) Parent Education kicked off its 42nd year recently during its annual board and staff retreat held at Hope Gardens in Sylmar on Saturday, October 17th. The retreat was led by Program Director, Anne Bierling, and provided an opportunity for board and staff members to plan for the upcoming year. They also discussed their new theme for the year: “Perhaps we were born for a time such as this” (Esther 4:14).

Continuing its renowned legacy of helping families thrive, Parent Ed has pivoted during this challenging time to offer a customized mix of in-person and online classes to meet the unique needs of parents during Covid-19. These classes provide education, friendship, and sustenance during a time when parents need it most. Daytime classes include Parent-and-Child Classes designed for both children and adults to attend together as well as Parent-Only Classes for parents to learn and discuss unique challenges of raising school-aged children. Parent and Child classes this year include Babies, Older Babies, Non-Separating Toddlers, and Parents of Preschoolers (2-5 years old). Parent Only Classes include Parents of Elementary Kids, Parents of Tweens, Parents of High Schoolers, and the Grandparenting Class. Parent Express Classes include Parenting Your Exceptional Child with more slated for Spring. Please go to www.lacanadapc.org/parented for class listings, staff bios, and online registration.

Staff members serving the program this year include: Amanda Baughman, Nanette Brown, Melanie Frey, Paula Giboney, Daniela Kim, Jina Khachik, Vicki Rekedal, Katy Riddell, Jan Roberts, Tracy Tobias, Jana Van Dyck and Sloan Walsh.

The Parent Education Volunteer Board is comprised of members, whose focus is hosting special events, outreach, expansion, and raising proceeds for the program. For the upcoming 2020-2021 year, these members are: Cathy Steward (Chair), Betty Bredemann, Stephanie Ferguson, Stephanie Ginn, Cristina Kelly, Carrie Kingston, Adri Leaw, Grace Lee, Tricia MacLaren, Charlotte Miller, Georgina Mueller and Monica Skeehan.

The Ministry Support Team supports and advises the Parent Education Board and Staff. The 2020-20201 MST members are: Anne Bierling, Melanie Frey, Lynne Graves, Katrina Harbers, Kathy Kovalcik, Maggie Mason, and Cathy Steward.

LCPC Parent Education has been touching families locally and globally for 42 years. As the tag line boasts, “If you have a child 0-18 years old, we have a class for you! ”To sign up for a class or experience a Free trial class, go to www.lacanadapc.org/parented or call (818) 790-6708 ext. 205. Classes meet weekly September through May and last year attracted over 600 participants from 22 different cities. 4-week Parent Express evening classes are also available for parents who cannot attend during the day. Scholarships and payment plans are available online. La Cañada Presbyterian Church is located at 626 Foothill in La Cañada.