It wasn't a big move in terms of distance, but moving a few doors down has made a world of difference to the Monessen School District Family Center. In its ninth year, the family center recently relocated from its previous location at Sixth Street and Knox Avenue to a new location at 420 Reed Ave., the former site of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Church. At the ribbon cutting for the new location, Kim Egidi, program supervisor, said, "Just moving a half block has really created a lot of opportunities in this area--being on this campus that SPHS (Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services) created." The Family Center originally stemmed from a collaboration between the Monessen School District and Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services. It is a community-based program geared toward children and families that offers support services and specialized programs. "We have an open door for kids and families to come in and certainly they've taken advantage of that," said Egidi. Since making its move to the new 3,600-square-foot space on the first floor of the former church, the family center has signed up about 20 new clients, according to Egidi. That increases the total number of families actively participating to about 250, she said. "We'll be able to expand with numbers (of families) and programs because of the space," said Egidi, adding that the center was able to add a General Equivalency Diploma program since the move. A number of the families have come from the new townhouses next door that provide housing for low-income families. Growth would not have been possible at the former site, said Egidi: "We were packed in like sardines at our old place." Services offered at the center include: Baby Think It Over Program--Students are given a lifelike infant to care for over a weekend. Teens experience loss of sleep, interference with social time, the financial impact of a child and beginning understanding of the responsibilities involved in parenting. Alternative Education Program--An alternative setting for students experiencing academic, behavioral and attendance problems. The program addresses many topics, including anger management, drugs and alcohol, violence and conflict resolution. Preschool--This program offers programs for three different ages--2 to 4--to prepare children academically and socially for school. Foundations of Fatherhood--A 12-week workshop for fathers and men is dedicated to support, educate and challenge fathers to become a positive force within their families. Parent-Child Home Program--This is a home-based program for parents and their 2-year-old and 3-year-old children. It promotes learning and language development through the use of books and toys. Pregnant and Parenting Teen Program--This program encourages teen mothers to stay in school and complete their high school diploma requirements while also learning parenting skills. The center also offers after-school tutoring, support groups for parents and grandparents, homebound instruction and a support network for parents of children with special needs. Additionally, the center operates the Mon Valley Academy, an alternative education program for truant, and behaviorally and academically challenged students from Charleroi, California and Monessen school districts. Programs, which are state-funded under the Department of Welfare, are open to any resident of the district. Egidi added that families outside the district can pay a fee for service for the preschool and alternative education programs. The idea for the family center originally started under R. Gene Malarbi, former superintendent of schools at Monessen. Malarbi's daughter, Rebecca, works at the school as a preschool teacher. Noting the family center was first located in the old high school building, Rebecca Malarbi said she recently toured the new location with her father. "He thought it was beautiful. He was really impressed," she related. Rebecca Malarbi said she's just as excited, noting that the new space is brighter and more conducive to education. The new location was made possible by SPHS Connect, which purchased the former Holy Name church in late 2000. Services were last held at the church in the winter of 1990. Headstart is located in the basement of the building.

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