Family Connections (fka Shaker Family Center)050

Family Connections, formerly known as Shaker Family Center, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides programs, resources, and opportunities to encourage and support families in raising young children.

Programs include the Patricia S. Mearns Family Playroom for parents and children from birth to age five. The playroom is open at various times during the week and membership includes use of the gym (but not the Saturday Indoor Gym program).

The Saturday Indoor Gym program provides a safe play environment promoting motor skills and interaction for children of all abilities. The gym offers riding toys and climbing equipment for parents and children to enjoy together. Gym sessions are held on Saturday mornings from late October through March ($7/child or $10/two or more children; Discount passes available).

The center also offers free eight-week parenting classes, as well as Parent University, a series of monthly discussions/workshops held September through April, featuring guest speakers discussing a variety of topics of interest to families with young children.

Learning English As a Family (LEAF) is a free family literacy program designed to introduce the English language and increase literacy skills for non-native families with young children. The program combines weekly group sessions at the center with twice-monthly home visits from an early childhood educator.

Outdoors, the Learning Garden transforms an underused asphalt area into an outdoor learning environment for adults and children of all ages and abilities. When not in use by center programs the garden is open to the public.

The center also runs a Play and Learn Station on the second floor of Shaker Heights Public Library. The interactive play center promotes early literacy and offers hands-on activities for caregivers and children.