LAKEPORT >> The Lake County Hero Project is reminding families that there is a superhero inside each and every parent.
Parents are a child”s first and most important teacher. The new program operates on the premise that the small and large choices parents make every day can determine their child”s success in school and life.
The Hero Project provides parents free tips and tools, challenges families through monthly themes and offers cool prizes as reward for challenge completion. The focus of the Hero Project is parenting adults with children ages 0 to 8, but all families with young school-aged children will benefit from the resources available.
The Hero Project primarily uses technology and social media to communicate with their League of Participants. The website is live and the application, available on iTunes and the Google Play Store, is set to launch in November. Daily tips, tools, challenge reminders and inspirations are posted on the website and shared through Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram and text messaging.
Last spring the Lake County Office of Education 0 to 8 Task Force, which focuses on supporting children in that age group, collected survey data revealing that 97 percent of parents use smartphones, 84 percent use social media, and 89 percent prefer to communicate via email. Hero Project director and creator,
“We designed the Hero Project around parent needs and requests, instead of what experts assume they need,” Hero Project director and creator Shelly Mascari said. “This is a different approach. We want to communicate with parents through the tools they are most comfortable using. We”re trying something different, and so far we”re thrilled by the response.”
Every month during the school year the Hero Project provides a singular monthly focus to help parents hone their parenting powers. In October, families are urged to take a 3:15 Reading Challenge. By accepting and completing the challenge via the website, and by reading three times a week or 15 times a month, parents will receive a free book specific to their child”s age and/or reading level. In November, families will be challenged to Eat Together. By following SEAT (Sit Eat And Talk) families will be challenged to enjoy a meal together at least three times each week.
Future monthly challenges include; unplug, play, advocate, breathe, protect, and be resilient.
The Hero Project features real Lake County families who are showcased on billboards, on the website, and in various print materials. Real parents making choices that make a real difference in the lives of their children.
“It”s important that we show real families,” project team member Robyn Bera explained. “These aren”t models or actors, but real people that you might see at the grocery store or at school. Every parent has a superhero inside them. We want to show parents that it doesn”t require money to bring that hero out, just a bit of time and knowledge. We”re here to provide that knowledge so that busy parents can make the best use of their time.”
Hero Project team member, Laurie Allen added, “The response since our initial launch in August at the Lake County Fair has been tremendous. To date over 970 families have registered. Our October Read Challenge is underway and our first Hullaballoo event is scheduled for November. Our free Hullaballoo”s will offer even more resources and fun activities for families while providing a free meal.”
The Hero Project is made possible through sponsorships from First 5 Lake, Health Leadership Network, Lake County Office of Education, St. Helena Hospital-Clearlake, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, First 5 Lake, and Redbud Health Care District; and additional contributions for the current Read monthly focus from The Lake County Literacy Task Force and United Way of the Wine Country.
For more information about the Lake County Hero Project visit www.lakecountyheroproject.com.
