ABSTRACT

"The Pre-K Community Project" by Angela Youngblood documents an initiative to bridge gaps and build community to help address the epidemic of loneliness and isolation of young families during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The initiative began with a pre-assessment of family needs. Data was collected through a survey and in-depth one-on-one conversations with parents and children. The data was used to determine the needs specific to families with children ages 5 and younger currently enrolled in a Pre-K program. The information gathered as well as data based on recent studies. One indicating loneliness increased the likelihood of an earlier death by 26 percent and another that reported the highest rate of self-reported loneliness was among adults ages 18 to 25 and mothers with young children, with more than half of both groups reporting serious or frequent loneliness. The goal of this initiative is to enhance relationships, encourage well-being, and improve the social and emotional health of young families by creating monthly support groups with different opportunities to learn, grow, and share their lives. Partnerships with local businesses and organizations are instrumental in the success of this initiative. Through these partnerships, local businesses will also have opportunities to build connections with new customers providing a needed boost to the local economy. The Pre-K Community Project is stepping up in this time of greater need and working to build a sustainable network of relevant resources and authentic support. In a world learning to reopen and reconnect, this initiative intends to help young families not be left behind and left out.