THREE RIVERS – Residents of Palmer and Monson who are looking to get their child involved in a playgroup, exchange or donate clothes, enjoy some fun bonding and enrichment time or even connect with various resources have an option with the Palmer-Monson Family Network.
It’s a free service, too.
The PMFN is a Collaborative for Educational Services program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care through a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant. This service, designed for young ones from infants through age 8, is not only open to Palmer and Monson residents, but surrounding communities as well. It’s
located near the Three Rivers Fire Department on Springfield Street.
Inside the PMFN’s building, parents and their children can engage in a play period, followed by story time, and a chance to sing some songs. Resources include the ParentChild+ Program, Early Intervention services, and a clothing exchange program, where families can bring anything they would like to donate.
PMFN Coordinator Margaret White said they also collaborate with the Three Rivers Women’s Firefighting Auxiliary regularly to distribute clothes, blankets, and more to community members who need them.
“They collect winter stuff for us to give to families, which is awesome,” White said.
Another initiative the PMFN is currently offering is Welcome Baby Bags, which the Three Rivers Women’s Firefighting Auxiliary put together.
“We have a nice blanket, a little knit cap, and books,” White said.
“We’ll also insert some information about us and a Walmart gift
card in the bag as well.”
Kathy Drzewianowski, PMFN administrative assistant Kathy
Drzewianowski said this is a service she recommends to all parents.
“When I started coming here with my daughter, she was three
and we didn’t have any kids around us,” Drzewianowski said.
“We come here and everything’s clean. It’s a safe place where if I lose her for a second, I’m not worried, because it’s safe here. Here, you get close to the families and develop a relationship, which it’s just nice to have.
Margaret cares about everybody and the families here are all great.
They come from all different backgrounds. We’ve never had any kind
of issues or any kind of disagreements or people not treating other
people nicely. It’s always been a great safe, fun place for the kids to
come to.”
The PMFN is located at 4 Springfield Street in Three Rivers and is open on Wednesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. This service is available for children who are between the ages of newborn and 8 years old. For
more information on the network, call 413-283-6246 or visit them on
Facebook at palmermonsonfamilynetwork.
