The program, sponsored by the MultiLingual Center of Catholic Family and Community Services, is open to parents of all children but especially Spanish-speaking parents. It draws 70-80 parents each and every month for workshops on parenting, sibling relationships, education issues and substance abuse issues. Workshops are available in both English and Spanish.
Child care is provided with special activities for the children.
In New Jersey, a recent ruling by the State Supreme Court means that millions of dollars in program enhancements has poured into communities like Paterson which have a low tax base in order to achieve parity with suburban districts. Some of the Saturday workshops help inform parents about the new programs so that their children can benefit. Padres de Ninos Especiales utilizes the Multi Ethnic Substance Abuse Model in 8 consecutive workshops. It helps them get in touch with their roots and gives value to the traditions handed down by their ancestors. Participants are referred from a broad spectrum of community sources and attendees often bring their friends and neighbors.