February 25, 2005

Innovative church program provides support for
Evergreen preschoolers, elderly

By Will Sousae
Special to the Times

Church buildings often go neglected and underutilized on weekdays, but not St. Francis of Assisi. The parish has developed two innovative programs to address the pressing need for preschool and elderly care in the larger Evergreen community.

FUN, FUN, FUN for everyone was the prescription for Valentine’s Day at St Francis of Assisi. Photo by Jerry Szelong

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic community opened a licensed preschool program in September 2003. It is the only part-time preschool in Evergreen offering families a choice between two-day weekly (Tuesday and Thursday) and three-day weekly (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) morning or afternoon three-hour sessions.

Class sizes are kept small with a maximum of 15 children per session to increase the amount of individual attention provided to students. The preschool offers a play-based program focused on socialization and kindergarten readiness.

Preschool parent and Evergreen resident Colleen Alger says, “This preschool has made such a difference in my daughter’s life; she has made many friends and getting ready for preschool each day is the highlight of her week.”

Rochelle Leggett, a 35-year Evergreen resident with 10 years experience as a preschool director, directs the preschool.

Rochelle states, “It’s a joy to be able to work one-on-one with the children in this small and beautiful setting.”

Right across the way, on the opposite side of the parish hall, lies an equally energized but far different clientele.

St. Francis of Assisi Preschool children eagerly filling their Valentine’s Day goody bags. Photo by Jerry Szelong

Catholic Charities’ “Day Break” program provides center-based activities for older adults. The wide range of socialization, recreation and health promotion activities include daily exercise, art and music therapy, reminiscing, gardening activities and health screening.

“Daybreak provides a wide variety of activities and socialization opportunities that a family cannot provide at home and provides caregivers at home a much needed break,” says Fran Kiernan, Daybreak volunteer coordinator.

In addition to these direct services, Day Break staff serves as a resource by providing information and referrals to the Evergreen community. I had first hand experience of this when I suddenly became responsible for the care of my elderly uncle, and the information provided by the Daybreak staff proved invaluable.

Occasionally, the preschool children or the elderly adults will extend an invitation to one another to join in on a special activity. For example, the adults invited the children to join in a mask making activity for Halloween, and most popular, in telling Santa their hopes for Christmas.

The preschoolers reciprocated by asking the older adults to join them for a concert by local guitarist Wiley Rankin. The latest shared activity was the visit of the Sunshine Dancers on Valentine’s Day. As one can imagine, the joining of young and not so young on these occasions is the highlight of everyone’s day.

St. Francis of Assisi Preschool and the Day Break programs are open to all Evergreen residents. For information about the pre-school, contact Rochelle Leggett at (408) 223-1562, ext. 309 or rleggett@sfoasj.org. For Day Break, call (408) 270-4900.