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Parenting Village
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Summer Bash
When Emily Horowitz first moved to Rochester, she found that Rochester was lacking a place where moms and professionals in the community could share the ups and downs of parenting. As a mental health professional who often worked with people who were transitioning into parenthood, Emily wanted to offer a place where parents could come for support and community. With this idea, Parenting Village was born.
How did Parenting Village get started?
In 2013, after Emily had her second child here in Rochester, she began to feel isolated during the winter months and she became dedicated to the concept of a nonprofit parenting center that would help parents find connections to one another and to essential area resources. She put out a call on Facebook to see if anyone would want to come to a community meeting on this topic. Figuring she might get a few responses and the interested parties could meet in her living room, she was surprised when over 40 people — moms, dads, birth and childhood related professionals, and interested community members — all came to the first meeting to share their thoughts. Out of that meeting a founding board of directors developed, and they met over the next few months to figure out what was needed and what they wanted to offer. Parenting Village was incorporated as a nonprofit in New York State in July 2013, and their first Summer Bash was held in August 2013.
What is the goal of Parenting Village?
Parenting Village offers connection and support for expecting, new, and experienced parents. Connection and support are not luxuries afforded to the lucky few but are essential components for raising healthy families. The organization envisions a mutually supportive community in Rochester in which all parents are empowered to confidently raise healthy, thriving children. They want everyone to know that the cliché adage is completely true — it really does take a village to raise a child!
Tell us a bit about the Summer Bash:
Parenting Village’s Annual Summer Bash is a free family festival that creates an opportunity for parents and children to connect while getting a taste of the many wonderful family related businesses and services our community has to offer. This past year more than 40 organizations attended and hosted activity tables and mini-classes to children and their parents. Children had a blast exploring and experiencing all that was offered while parents had a chance to learn, listen, soak up information, meet one another, and play with their children.
What are the goals for the future?
Eventually Parenting Village will have it’s own home, a fully-funded budget, paid staff, and programming. The board envisions a place with flexible drop-in play spaces that can accommodate a range of ages and needs; a full schedule of support groups targeting different populations such as single parents and parents of children with special needs; classes on a variety of topics; and a robust volunteer and peer-support network. 
To learn more about the Parenting Village, visit their website at www.ourparentingvillage.org
Jillian Melnyk is the Editor of Rochester & Genesee Valley Parent Magazine. Do you have an organization or non-profit group that you would like to see featured in our Community column?
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