Dozens of children and parents gathered in the basement of the Lynn Family and Children’s Services building on North Common Street last Thursday to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Lynn Family Network. The ten-year-old network offers numerous free programs and support to families with children from pre-natal months up to age four. “This is the only program in the city that serves its youngest residents for free,” said Francie Sudak, who has been the Family Network’s lead program teacher – and its only true full time teacher – since it began. “There are opportunities for parents to part and playgroups and story-reading hours and other workshops… It is a great place to come meet families and found out that you are not the only one that’s struggling.”

Sudak, who was a first grade teacher for 28 years before being asked to head the newly founded Family Network, is quick to point out that reading is the foundation for academic success, which is why many of the programs run through the Family Network are aimed at encouraging parents of infants and toddlers to read to their children. The Network offers various reading workshops, as well playgroups, field trips and other fun activities for the families it serves. A family’s involvement with the Lynn Family Network often begins before the child is born. Sudak calls Salem and Beverly hospitals on a daily basis to ask if there are any new Lynn babies or expectant mothers from Lynn. She visits new Lynn parents at both hospitals and presents each mother with a gift bag filled with educational materials, such as a sippy cup, an outlet safety plug, a calendar and – naturally – a book.

The visits, which are called “Cuddle Up and Read,” are intended to introduce parents to the learning process and make them aware of the services offered by the Lynn Family Network, as well as other pre-school programs in Lynn. While children from all backgrounds are welcome, Sudak makes a point to reach out to working class families who are struggling to find early childhood education opportunities for their children (and even those who may not be aware of the importance of such opportunities).

Sudak and fellow program manager Jill Whelan personally work with teen parents throughout the city, as well mothers and fathers who have recently been released from incarceration or rehabilitation programs and want to build a positive connection with their children. She also runs a weekly parenting support group at the Bridge House Family Shelter on Willow Street, and serves families in each of the three homeless shelters in the city. Another benefit for families whose children participate in Lynn Family Network programs is the fact that experienced educators like Sudak are able to help parents identify vision or hearing problems and developmental disorders (such as autism) at an early age. The Network staff works with the Special Education department of Lynn Public Schools to recommend speech therapy, occupational therapy or any another necessary tools to help their children develop.

Sudak told the Journal that she planned to expand the age range of those served by the Network to include families with children as old as age 5 for the coming school year. This news comes despite the fact that the Lynn Family Network has seen its funding dwindle at an alarming rate over the last five years. In 1999, the early childhood learning grant that funds the Network was for $150,000. That figure was cut down to $150,000 in 2004 and to $100,000 last November. Sudak said that she has been informed that the Network will receive a grant of only $35,000 for the coming school year. Still, Sudak says that she will manage and that the Network will offer the same programs that it has in recent years, though some programs may be held on a less frequent basis due to budget constraints. And, of course, the Network will continue to encourage parents to read to their children, which does not cost a dime.

“We are the link from the home to the schoolhouse door,” said Sudak. “The best gift you can give your kid is to take a few minutes and ready them a story and introduce them to books.”