Self, Vision, Community workshop series: Children’s Services of Roxbury

On April 27 and 28 this year, Savesouls Inc. provided the Self, Vision, Community workshop to 21 families and children at the center La Distinction Academy in Canton MA. On the first day, the workshop started at 11:30 and ended at 3:30 due to transportation and food delivery delays. On day 2, participants arrived on time and enjoyed breakfast until the start of the workshop from 10:30 to 2:30, with the remise of participation certificates and $50 gift card incentives. Volunteer participants stayed behind to share their testimonies on the positive impact of the workshops on their overall well-being and expressed interest in staying connected to Savesouls.

The workshop series was presented by Patricia Mura Desert, President, and Obelle Milien Pluviose, CEO, along with volunteer mental health professionals contributing to the success of the series. Participants reported feeling at ease to participate in the exercises of the workshops, to share their experiences and develop personal and professional plans to improve their socioeconomic mobility in the US. Safety guidelines were established from the beginning and adhered to until the end of the workshop. Short 15-minute breaks were provided every hour for parents to check in with their children and a 1-hour lunch break on both days toward the end of the program. Presenters completed a summary review at the beginning of day 2 and the end of day 2, and surveys were collected from participants. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, certificates, workbooks, and Visa gift cards were provided to all participants who completed both days of the workshop series.

Of the 25 individuals who participated in the workshops, 21 surveys were collected. 2 participants reported literacy limitations and these individuals were encouraged to participate verbally in the group activities and discussions. 2 did not complete the survey, which could be due to checking on their children in daycare, late arrival, or not returning to the workshop room on time.

Overall, all of the objectives set for the workshop series were met and participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the method of delivery and collaborative nature of the activities.

Two different surveys were provided: day 1 on mental health education, and day 2 for professional development and community integration combined.

Collaborative impact of workshop delivery. Participants reported benefiting from the group activities talking about their dreams and planning specific ways they can attain these objectives. The workbooks provided allowed participants to work on their plans in real time and take these plans and resources home for further application.

Culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approach. Cultural music was played throughout the workshop and Haitian food was served, which strongly contributed to the participants expressing that they felt “alèz” (comfortable) for the duration of the workshop. The workshop was also provided in Haitian Creole and participants with literacy limitations were encouraged to speak and participate in verbal planning.

Childcare services. Onsite childcare was a major benefit for parents who have not been able to attend previous educational programs due to childcare. All teachers providing care were EEC-certified teachers who were bilingual and multilingual. Volunteer staff from the shelter sites were also great support for the success and management of the series.

Follow-ups. Savesouls identified participants who expressed strong interest in seeing a mental health professional and provided a referral for therapy along with contact information to receive sponsorship for the first 6 sessions. Not all participants provided their contact information for follow-ups with Savesouls.

Transportation. On day 1, participants arrived 1 hour after the workshop was scheduled to start, which significantly delayed program delivery. Parents also needed an extra hour to drop off their children for childcare.

Standard procedures. Preparations for the workshop were delayed due to a missed disbursement deadline; also the chain of communication was unclear regarding submitting the invoice and obtaining the deposit.

Childcare. Savesouls collaborated with La Distinction Academy to serve 25 families with 12 children and did not account for 25 children well in advance. Thankfully, there were other empty rooms on the second floor of the center to accommodate children older than 5 years. Day 1 was challenging due to staffing limitations, so program activities prepared for the children were not completed because staff had to focus on classroom management. Savesouls’ email agreement with Roxbury was to serve children 5 years old and under, but over 10 children older than 5 attended the workshops, which also meant that food was provided for older children as well. Day 2 went smoothly with La Distinction Academy scheduling more full-time staff to support the workshop.

For future workshops, there needs to be a Memorandum of Agreement between Savesouls Inc. and Children’s Services of Roxbury highlighting service expectations and deliverables between both parties. The Savesouls Needs Assessment should be completed at least 3 weeks before the workshop so presenters can gather adequate and appropriate resources for program participants.

Workforce development. Savesouls will be conducting a 15-minute follow-up with each workshop participant to provide further resources. In case participants need more than the allocated support, Savesouls is currently building capacity using existing office space in Canton to provide short-term workforce services to Afro-Caribbean immigrants. However, this will require an updated service sheet or agreement.