Strong Families from the Inside Out: Family Engagement at Martha’s Table

How Family Engagement at The Commons Helps Parents and Children Thrive

At Martha’s Table, we know every parent is their child’s first teacher, and supporting families means investing in a child’s lifelong success. Through our family engagement program led by Cara Wilner and Jazmine Bush, we create opportunities for parents to learn, connect, and grow right alongside their children. We sat down with Cara to get an inside look at our approach to family engagement at Martha’s Table.

A Framework for Family Success

Our work is founded on the powerful belief that every family has the inherent capacity to thrive. We utilize the research-backed Strengthening Families Framework, focusing on five essential protective factors critical for success: Parental Resilience, Social Connections, Parenting Know-How, Real-Life Support (connecting families with essential resources), and Kids’ Emotional Smarts. Every service we offer is intentionally designed to strengthen these factors.

Listening First: Programming Rooted in Family

We start by really listening. Every year, we check in with parents and caregivers through surveys and open conversations to find out what’s on their minds—things like financial literacy, emotional support, or just everyday parenting tips. What they tell us directly influences the programs we offer families in our early childhood center. Our goal is to make every household stronger, so parents feel confident in their role and their children come to school ready to shine.

Supporting Parents

Family engagement isn’t only about education, it’s also about well-being. One of our newest offerings invites parents to gather twice a month before pickup for interactive sessions on topics like stress management, setting boundaries, and building patience. Led by our emotional wellness team and art therapy interns, these sessions blend conversation and creativity, which helps parents recharge and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Calming the Morning: Regulation Routines for Parents and Children

Transitions can be tough, especially at the start of the day. The family engagement and emotional wellness teams noticed that both children and parents sometimes arrived at drop-off feeling rushed or anxious. Their solution? Regulation stations.Now, before heading into the classroom, parents and children can take a few moments at a regulation station to breathe deeply together and center themselves in the midst of everyday noise.

Inside the Parent HQ, a special space created just for parents, they can find cozy regulation kits that provide calming tools such as weighted blankets, lavender oil, and affirmation cards. Parents can stop by anytime to center themselves before heading to work. The impact has been immediate; parents model healthy emotional regulation, and children start their days calmer and more engaged. A few children have begun to recognize the need to emotionally regulate during the day and have asked for deep breaths with their teachers.

Strengthening Community Through Connection

In addition to workshops and wellness activities, we celebrate families with events like Parent Appreciation Breakfasts and the Parent Policy Council. This leadership group gives caregivers a voice in shaping our programs and representing families organization-wide. Newly elected Parent Council Chair Linda Thompson will serve on Martha’s Table’s Board of Directors, aligning with our commitment to being community-led and ensuring parents’ perspectives guide decisions.

Everyday Essentials with Dignity

Finally, supporting families means finding ways to alleviate day to day stress. Every month, families enrolled in our education programs receive access to no-cost healthy produce, pantry items, diapers, wipes, and even household goods. These resources help reduce day-to-day stress and support families to focus on what matters most to them.

Looking Ahead

As Cara puts it, “When we support parents, we support the child.”

From morning breathing rituals to community breakfasts, every detail of family engagement at Martha’s Table is carefully designed to uplift the families who make our centers feel like home, reinforcing our mission of supporting strong children, strong families, and strong communities.

Because when parents feel seen, heard, and equipped to thrive, the entire community grows stronger.

Learn more about our Early Childhood Education programming.