Imprints Cares — a nonprofit named for the lasting imprint it makes in a child’s formative years — is transforming the lives of children and their families in Forsyth County.
“I think we’re one of the best-kept secrets in Forsyth County,” said executive director Claudia Barrett. “We’ve been serving the community for 54 years by nurturing children for lifelong success.”
She went on to explain the key areas of need they address.
“Imprints Cares’ framework of services is centered on family systems and addresses health and educational inequities. Our evidence-based programming provides a holistic, multigenerational approach that promotes positive parenting, improves social determinants of health, and enhances opportunities for children and their families to break the cycle of poverty.”
These are some of their key programs.
Ready for School programming serves families with children from before birth to age 5. Their cornerstone program, Parents as Teachers is an international evidence-based curriculum that walks alongside families through intensive home visits and helps parents get their child ready for school.
“A parent is a child’s first best teacher, and we support them in achieving goals with their children.”
Even small goals make an impact — and the proof is in the data.
Recently, Forsyth Futures Data Sharing Project found that students who participated in the Parents as Teachers program statistically performed one year higher than their comparison peers in literacy, language, math, social-emotional skills and problem-solving abilities.
Expanded Learning provides before- and after-school care and a summer enrichment camp for students pre-K through middle school.
Imprints Care has nearly 500 employees. This past school year, over 2,500 families benefited from these programs, as well as over 1,000 local employers. The economic benefit to the community is substantial.
In addition, they provide on-site programming for students with exceptional needs.
Kerri Sigler, a local domestic violence attorney, has a son who has attended the program for years.
“I could not do what I do for domestic violence victims if Imprints didn’t do what it does for special needs kids,” Sigler said.
Center for Thriving Families
Imprints Cares is entering into its first capital campaign to renovate its new location to create the Center for Thriving Families.
“This education hub is revitalizing part of our community and will increase our impact in addressing the need for out-of-school care for exceptional students. Through this center, we will be able to serve 100 students every day who otherwise would not have anywhere else to go,” said Barrett.
A child says it best
Perhaps the best person to convey the impact of Imprints Cares is one of the thousands of children it has helped.
Kelsey Camarena, director of development and marketing, was talking to an elementary school student and asked what Imprints Cares meant to her.
The girl talked about learning math and reading, then looked directly at Camarena and said, “It makes me feel good, it makes me feel safe and it makes me feel like family.”
To support Imprints Cares Center for Thriving Families and programs, visit imprintscares.org/donate.
