(Somerville) Pioneer Family Success Center (FSC) and parent organization EmPoWER Somerset invite local youth ages 5 to 17 to nominate a frontline or essential worker that has inspired them. Each participant may nominate up to two individuals by completing a simple online entry form at poineerfsc.com/eventofthemonth by September 14th. A separate entry is required for each nominee.
A winning entry selected by random drawing will receive two $75 gift cards – one for the youth participant and one for their nominated hero. The winning entry will be announced on the Pioneer FSC Facebook page on Thursday, September 17th.
The contest encourages youth to use their own voice and creativity and ask questions from the heart that illustrate the special way the person has inspired them. Part of the entry process involves interviewing the person being nominated. The entry form includes space for up to five open-ended questions that the interviewer gets to design him or herself. A nominated hero could be a first responder, a retail worker, a teacher, or anyone who has made a positive impact by serving on the front line during the pandemic.
The contest is the latest family event-of-the-month offered by the Pioneer FSC, which is part of nonprofit organization EmPoWER Somerset. Pioneer FSC connects families to helpful local resources and brings families together through free events, programs & local activities. Pioneer FSC’s signature free monthly family fun events typically include outdoor movie nights and family pool parties, which were not possible this year due to COVID-19.
“It has been disappointing that we haven’t been able to hold our usual events this summer, but it has been exciting to find creative new ways to stay connected with our families,” said Jessica Dale, the Community Relations and Volunteer Coordinator for the Pioneer FSC.
In addition to fun contests, Pioneer FSC has also helped to deliver 557 care packages to adults and families. First through the Pioneer FSC Cares project that ran May through June, 260 care packages were delivered to healthcare workers who were staying in hotels to protect their families from possible exposure to COVID-19. Then in a partnership with the Somerville YMCA during July and August, a total of 294 care packages were distributed to local children as part of the Y’s food distribution effort. A new Pioneer FSC effort that is underway will virtually link high school student volunteers with younger students in third through eighth grades for homework help.
From the outset of the quarantine, a special section of PioneerFSC.com has been regularly updated with information on local community resources as well as opportunities to give back. Pioneer FSC staff are available to help direct residents to local resources. Call 908-722-4400 for assistance in English or Spanish, or click We Want To Hear From You at PioneerFSC.com.
“We miss seeing our families in person,” said Pastor Tim Wolf, Pioneer FSC Director. “We want the community to know that we are still here to support our local families. If you are experiencing a need and you’re not sure where to begin, we can help.”