Residents Engaged in Strengthening Families and Neighborhoods

Resident and family engagement by definition constitutes a promise. Whether our promise is explicit or tacit, we agree to be present at a specified time and place and we bind ourselves with our pledge to be actively involved. This commitment is carried out over time. Ours is not a casual, fleeting engagement; it is meant to be long-lasting and significant. In communities that are often the victims of lofty promises by zealous do-gooders, we must not underestimate the importance of our promises.

Often parents share their stories; they bare their souls. People cry, they come to their feet, they want to save the poor parent, but all too often the parents get nothing from it. Parents need to leave with something. Parents need to have a game plan. They need to know what they want from the experience, they should have a card, and they should network. Parents should be paid for their time, and paid equitably. After all, parents are the glue for a lot of people’s work. People love you, but what does that get you? What are the benefits for being a parent leader? Who is willing to pay a parent leader a real salary? People need to attach resources to these conversations

– Michelle Gaither McDonald, co-director, Hartford Parent Network