Parent University, United States

About Parent University

Mona Partner Since 2019

Founded in 2002, Parent University helps to break the cycle of persistent generational poverty and crime in Savannah, Georgia by educating parents on how to enhance their parenting, life, and leadership skills. Their simple but revolutionary approach recognizes that parents are the first teachers of their children and helps parents be more involved in their education. Parent University is a whole family model. Mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and children all come to celebrate learning and community.

The Challenge

The neighborhoods that Parent University serves are among the poorest in Savannah with 95% living under the US poverty line. For this population, 97% of whom are African American, failure in the school system is the norm versus the exception.

The Solution: Parent University Programs

Traditional Programs

Traditional programs serve the parents of children of all ages. Training sessions are offered for both parenting skills and life skills, and courses are designed with input from the community. Sessions are generally held at a local High School and attract 150-200 parents each.

Early Learning College

Early Learning College offers weekend trainings on parenting skills for parents of children from birth to 5 years old, which is the stage of life in which the vast majority of brain development occurs. Held in local elementary schools or community centers, the trainings are tailored to attract parents in each neighborhood area.

Tech College

Tech College was launched in 2020 to help parents fill the technology gaps they were experiencing due to a lack of devices or internet service, or in understanding how to use them, or both. Training sessions are created by Tech College instructors. Classes begin with basic knowledge and maintenance and expand to using software and learning about cybersecurity and online threats.

How we help

Mona Foundation began partnering with Parent University in 2019 and helps fund their sessions and provide educational materials, including access to technology.

Parent University has served as an agent of change in the city of Savannah for over 20 years. Change has come not only to parents’ access to education and empowerment, but also to the improved lives of their children, their family, and their friends.

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2023 Achievements

670 parents attended several sessions were trained and empowered to create quality learning environments for their children
28 sessions held
385 parents graduated

2024 Needs - $35,000

To offer 28 sessions on topics such as:

Early childhood education
Leadership
Technical training
Parent U Experiences (including preparing children for school, navigating the public educational systems to ensure success of children at school, detention center community re-entry program)
Community Garden
Job Training, Adult Education, Financial Training, Health and Wellness Education

Support Parent University 2024 Needs

Updates

Expansion to Pensacola, Florida

The community of Pensacola, Florida became Parent University’s first outreach location in October 2020 with the official launch of Parent University Pensacola. City and county government officials, community leaders, agencies and individuals have all met their new community program with excitement and support. Parents have also shown much enthusiasm with growing attendance at each of PU’s virtual events.

Over the years, Parent University's proven educational model has attracted the attention and interest of other communities and organizations throughout the United States, While replicating it requires strong relationships and dedication to community, Pensacola certainly seems up to the task! We look forward to watching them grow and blossom in the years to come.

Watch Video

While many companies and organizations shutdown and services were halted, Parent University did the opposite. Not one event was canceled as the team understood the gravity of the situation and the increased needs of their members. Parents were now homeschooling their children whether they were prepared or not. Some were unable to go to work with children at home, while others lost their income due to shutdowns. Families were facing many hardships and Parent University was determined to be there for its community members. Events immediately moved to a virtual platform. Staff worked together to ensure all forms of communications were being used to keep members connected. Additional events were added throughout the month of June 2020 to relay urgent and relevant information and resources, including health education, food distribution events, mental health and well-being awareness, and homeschooling support. The Parent University family was strong with attendance at 100+ per online event.