202(2)Gen SUMMIT

Evolution of Family-Centered Programs

The Literacy Cooperative hosted the 5^th annual 2Gen Summit on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. We worked diligently with our 2Gen Planning Committee to make sure that this event could be offered in a hybrid manner while still maintaining the interactive and informative nature of the event – boasting over 80 individuals in attendance. To see photos from the event, scroll down.

The Literacy Cooperative’s President and CEO, Bob Paponetti was joined by Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Laureen Atkins to kick off the event with a warm welcome and overview of 2Gen throughout the years. A two-generation (2Gen) approach builds family well-being by intentionally and simultaneously working with children and the adults in their lives together. It is a family-centered, highly positive service delivery mechanism that focuses on everyone’s needs in the family unit, empowering families to learn and succeed together.

This year the 2Gen planning committee chose to celebrate the evolution of 2Gen work within Cuyahoga County. This event featured a presentation by Aysha Wilburn of The Centers,  a panel conversation with FamilySpace partners, a presentation by Kate Carden of CHN Housing Partners, networking and table discussions, and the 2Gen evolution video. To watch the recordings, click the button below.

The Centers presentation discussed a 2Gen journey of connecting their services of integrated health and wellness; early learning and family support; and workforce development.  Aysha Wilburn explained their plan that first connected workforce and early learning and later connected early learning to health services as well as the continued implementation of whole family service.

The FamilySpace panel discussed the efforts to create spaces designed to meet the needs of families in select library locations.  Opening this September, FamilySpace locations are inclusive of all family structures, provide a family resource center, and are equipped with specially trained staff. The unique programming is responsive to families’ interests and was developed in partnership with neighborhood-based parent advisory committees. Keesha Toliver-Funches of Family Connections summed up the description by saying, “we hope to provide a space for you to be you”.

FamilySpace panel speakers included Alyssa Swiatek of Invest in Children, Erica Marks of Cleveland Public Library, Keesha Tolliver-Funches of Family Connections, Maria Trivisonno of Cuyahoga County Public Library, Renee Timberlake of United Way of Greater Cleveland

CHN Housing Partners ended the Summit with a presentation detailing their Louise C. Stokes Scholar House, which provides a 2Gen approach designed to interrupt the cycle of poverty for parents and their children and permanently change the trajectory of their lives.  The scholar house will open in the summer of 2023 with the capacity to house more than 40 single-parent families.

To learn more about the evolution of 2Gen in Cuyahoga County:

• Watch this video.
• Read this report.
• Add your organization to the 2Gen directory. Add your organization to the tab that best suits its services; you may add your organization to more than one tab.

2Gen Summit-related resources:

• View this presentation.
• View the Twitter Moment of the 202(2)Gen Summit.