Families with young children are invited to join other parents and children for activities, information and resources, fun, friendship, and sharing at these centers. All programs and activities are free or low cost. These projects are supported by grants from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care through the Hampshire Educational Collaborative. HEC manages two networks, The Palmer Monson Family Network and the Hampshire County Family Network.


Palmer/Monson Family Network

This network serves and connects families with young children under the age of four and expectant families living in Palmer and Monson. All programs and activities are free of charge. The Network is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care. Services include: The Family Center and Gym Play Space; recreational programs and events; resources and referrals; workshops for parents; playgroups; home visiting; and a clothing exchange. There are no income or developmental requirements and participation is voluntary. The Family Center is open several days a week. Please call for the current schedule.

The main Family Center is located above The Learning Factory on Springfield Street, across from Hryniewicz Park in the Three Rivers section of Palmer. Parking is available in spaces bordering the park. Our Gym programs are held at the Hillside School, located at 29 Thompson Street, Monson.

The Family Center is equipped with toys and other materials for children under the age of four and their parents or guardians. Older siblings are always welcome, too. The engaging space is sure to delight your baby or toddler! Children can play, learn, explore, and make new friends in a friendly, family-centered setting, while parents have an opportunity to meet and connect with other parents. We offer activities and programs designed to provide entertainment, enrichment and learning for young children. Ongoing activities include drop-in hours at our Family Center and our Gym, Toddler Time, Parent/Infant Group, a Preschool Pals program and a Young Parents Group.

Palmer/Monson Family Network News-Spring 2009 (4 Page PDF)

For more information, please contact:
Carol Wood, Coordinator
Palmer/Monson Family Network & Family Center
4 Springfield Street
P.O. Box 5
Three Rivers, MA 01080
(413) 283-6246

To learn more about the communities we serve, please visit:
Town of Palmer: www.townofpalmer.com
Monson Tourism Association: www.monsonmass.com

Hampshire County Family Network

There are eight Family Centers in Hampshire County. Each is unique and reflects the character of its local community. Family Centers have toys, books, and activities that young children enjoy. Parents can meet other local families, children can socialize, and parents and young children can play together. Children can play, learn, explore, and make new friends.

By investing in children when they are young, and by supporting families throughout these formative years, we are laying the groundwork for a greater measure of success in school and social relationships. All of the below centers sponsor events at times other than those listed here. Many programs have different summer schedules. Please contact the centers for more information.

Family centers offer support to families with young children in lots of different ways. Parents, grandparents, and others who spend long hours caring for infants, toddlers and preschoolers go to family centers to find a fun place where children can play and learn while adults enjoy each other's company. Some come to meet families in their new community or are looking for information about preschools, pediatricians or parent support groups, to name just a few resources that might be requested. Parents find that participating in activities at a family center teaches children skills like sharing, listening to stories and taking turns. They notice that the family center experience helps their children make a smooth adjustment to preschool or kindergarten.

No preregistration is needed and there are no fees, so families can drop in on the spur of the moment. Limited funding is provided through a Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care grant to Hampshire Educational Collaborative, but most centers also need to rely on donations from families, businesses, and community groups. All families are welcome, whether or not they can make a financial donation. Parent Advisory Councils provide leadership to the family centers, so contributions of parents' time and talents are always needed and valued.

This list will help you locate the Hampshire County family center nearest to you:

AMHERST FAMILY CENTER
Unitarian Meetinghouse
121 N. Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
413-256-1145
www.amherstfamilycenter.org (under construction)
www.cshrc.org/familycenter.php
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9-1; Wednesday and Friday 9-12
Schedule: September through July
Directions: Located downtown in the church building between the Post Office and Bart’s. Please use rear entrance.

BELCHERTOWN FAMILY CENTER
720 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
413-283-7594
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/Belchertown_Kids/
Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9:30-11:30 (school year)
Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-11:30 (summer)
Directions: Located on Rte. 181 five miles south of Belchertown Center.

CUMMINGTON FAMILY CENTER
33 Main St.
Cummington, MA 01026
413-634-5362
www.cummingtonfamilycenter.org (under construction)
Hours: Wednesday and Friday 9:30-11:30
Thursday 11-1: drop-in time for parents with infants
Schedule: October-May
Directions: Enter in back of the Community House on Main St. in Cummington.

EASTHAMPTON FAMILY CENTER
PO Box 23, Easthampton, MA 01027
Play-and-learn groups: Christ United Methodist Church
271 Rocky Hill Rd. (Rte. 66), Florence
Call or check website for special events in Easthampton
413-563-7672
www.easthamptonfamilycenter.org
Hours: Wednesday and Friday 10-12
Wednesday 9 to 9:45: drop-in time for parents with infants
During September, October, May, June, July, and August families gather weekly
at an Easthampton playground, weather permitting. Call for location.
Schedule: Public school calendar for indoor play-and-learn groups

GATEWAY FAMILY CENTER
Hilltown Social Services Building
9 Russell Rd.
Huntington, MA 01050
413-667-2203 x3
Hours: Wednesday and Friday 10-12; Monday 3-4: parent-child exercise group
Schedule: Year round
Directions: Located across from the Fire Station at 9 Russell Rd. (Rte. 20).

NORTHAMPTON PARENTS CENTER
297 Main St., Lower Level
Northampton, MA 01060
413-582-2636
www.northamptonparentscenter.org
Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:30-11:30
Schedule: Mid-September through end of May
Directions: Located in the Edwards Church building, lower level, corner of State and Main Streets. Please use rear entrance.

SOUTH HADLEY FAMILY CENTER
7 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
413-533-7096
www.shfamilycenter.org
Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:30-11:30
Schedule: Mid- September through May
Directions: Located in the All Saints Episcopal Church building on Rte. 116, across from the Post Office in South Hadley Center.

WARE FAMILY CENTER
49 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
413-967-8127
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 9:30-11:30
Schedule: Mid-September through early June
Directions: Located in the United Church of Ware building.
Church St. is uphill from Rte. 9 in Ware Center.
All Family Centers sponsor activities at times other than the drop-in play-and-learn times listed here.

For more information about family centers, please contact:

Corky Klimczak
Hampshire County Family Network Coordinator
Hampshire Educational Collaborative
413-586-4998 x104 or 800-519-1882 x104
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Hampshire County Family Network Brochure (2 Page PDF)