Children's Resource Center

Summer movie nights are back in Newton!

Grab your blankets, lawn chairs, and favorite movie snacks, and join us for a summer of family fun under the stars.

Coming up next, Lilo & Stitch on June 19!

For the full schedule, visit www.newtonnc.gov/moviesinthepark

All movies begin at dusk. Movies in the Park are FREE, and Dive-In Movie admission follows regular pool rates.

Tag your movie crew and make plans to join us this summer!

Want to stretch your SNAP/EBT dollars? Shop for fresh, local produce at the Catawba County Public Health Farmers Market and ask us how you can double your SNAP/EBT benefits at the market! The market is open to the public on Thursdays from June through September from 10am to 1pm in our front parking lot. We hope to see you there!

This week, Ashley and Marisa had the opportunity to visit the Hickory Soup Kitchen and connect with families about resources available for children throughout the summer and school year.

We are grateful to the Hickory Soup Kitchen & The HOPE Center for welcoming us and allowing us to share information about programs and services that support children and families in our community. Thank you for your partnership and for all you do to serve our community each day! 💙

Access to high-quality child care is a critical resource for families with housing vulnerability. The NC Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) network is vital. Share this free, confidential statewide number with caregivers today: 888-600-1685.

You can find your local CCR&R at childcarerrnc.org/services/for-families/agency

Partners for Impact

Check out PEEPs Playgroup this summer! Visits from the Catawba Science Center, Hickory Public Library, and more! ☀️🛝🖍️

On the days the Catawba Science Center joins us; they will be there at the beginning of the group. On days Stephanie from Patrick Beaver Library joins us; she will be there the last 15 minutes to share stories and songs.

Help us wish Ashley Benfield, Children's Resource Center Program Director, a very happy birthday! 🎂 We appreciate everything you do each day to support our families. Have a great day! 💐

To support whole families, we must lower barriers to high-quality child care for children birth–12. Access to care allows parents to pursue essential solutions like employment, education and healthcare. Services and supports must be better integrated to address the unique needs of children facing homelessness.

Learn more and take action: earlyyearsnc.org/the-young-child-homelessness-outreach-project

Partners for Impact

A heartfelt thank you to Target Hickory for volunteering their time to wrap donated diapers for Our Nest Diaper Pantry at the Children's Resource Center! Your generosity and support will help children & families in Catawba County access essential resources. ❤️🐣

If your organization would like to host a diaper drive or volunteer at our diaper pantry, please reach out to Breanna at [email protected].

We hosted our first Storytime last Friday at RISE Resource Center! Families enjoyed a story focused on social-emotional learning, puppet making, and playtime. 📖

Our next RISE & Shine Storytime is Friday, June 26, from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Families will explore emotions and create an emotional check-in chart to use at home.

Storytime is a FREE monthly event for caregivers and children ages 0–5 focused on social-emotional learning through stories, hands-on crafts, and playtime. Light snacks are provided! Questions? Call us at 828-695-6565. 💚

Children can easily overheat when outdoors in the summer and young children may not be able to communicate if they are too hot. That’s why it’s important for caregivers take steps ahead of time to keep them safe.

✅Make sure to take lots of breaks and go inside, especially if it is over 80 degrees and you have been outside for two hours.

✅If you are cooling off in a pool or at the beach, make sure an adult is always watching the children. If child goes missing, check the water first.

✅Never leave a child in a car, even with the windows rolled down or just for a few minutes. The temperature inside a car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes.

✅Babies under six months have very sensitive skin and should be kept out of the sun. If you must be in the sun, use protective clothing, sunscreen, hats and trees or an umbrella for shade.

For more information about heat safety for children, visit: https://www.safekids.org/heatstroke