It's incredibly rewarding to work in early childhood. Yet, for those interested in launching a career in early childhood, getting started can be overwhelming.
Enter the Project Flourish Child Development Apprenticeship Program, which helps those who want to pursue a career in early childhood.
Project Flourish was developed by Family Services of Central Massachusetts, an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation that has served the Greater Worcester Community for more than 135 years, with strategic and fundraising support from Edward Street. It provides training to early childhood workers recently hired in group childcare programs serving low-income families.
Sherley Avila is a Project Flourish apprentice and Head Start Teacher Assistant at Worcester Public Schools (WPS).
Thanks to Project Flourish, Sherley earned a child development associate (CDA) credential, a nationally recognized credential that assesses and validates knowledge, skills, and experiences caring for children under 5. She's using what she's learned from her time in the program to serve children in Worcester.
'I Knew It Would Be a Great Opportunity for Me to Grow Personally and Professionally.'
Sherley learned about Project Flourish through Denise Nelson, a Continuing Education Consultant at Worcester Child Development Head Start.
"(Denise) recognized my potential and passion for working with children and encouraged me to apply," Sherley says.
Though hesitant to apply at first, Sherley took a leap and joined Project Flourish. Next, Sherley was paired with Pam Lapoint, who served as her coach and provided her with support alongside the Project Flourish community.
"From the beginning, I felt drawn to the program’s mission and values, and I knew it would be a great opportunity to grow both personally and professionally," Sherley points out.
'My Experience with Project Flourish Has Been Incredibly Rewarding.'
In Project Flourish, Sherley was welcomed into a supportive and nurturing environment where she was given the tools, mentorship, and hands-on experiences necessary to grow as a CDA.
The program challenged me in the best ways, helping me build confidence in my skills while allowing me to accomplish things I didn't know I was capable of," Sherley notes.
Most importantly, Sherley has learned how impactful consistency and compassion are in early childhood education, she says.
'Project Flourish Helped Lay the Foundation for My Role as a CDA.'
Through Project Flourish, Sherley has completed her CDA coursework, created a portfolio showcasing her work with children, and implemented developmentally appropriate activities in the classroom. She was also proud to receive positive feedback from her supervisors, friends, families, and students, which she says reassured her that she was making a real difference.
"Project Flourish helped lay the foundation for my role as a CDA. It provided real world experiences that helped prepare me for the classroom and helped me develop the confidence to lead, plan, and support children in their early learning journey. It has also helped me understand the importance of a reflective practice and ongoing professional development," Sherley says.
Today, Sherley is encouraging anyone who's passionate about working with children and eager to learn to join Project Flourish.
"Project Flourish is more than a program—it's a community that invests in your growth and believes in your potential," Sherley points out. "This program and its team will give you the skills, knowledge, and support you need to thrive."
Moving forward, Sherley is ready to use what she's learned in the program to continue to help children.
"I feel more prepared and inspired to continue making a difference in children's lives, and I carry a deep sense of gratitude for everything this program and the community that I have come to love and appreciate being a part of has given me," Sherley notes.
Want to Learn More About Project Flourish?
Edward Street continues to support Project Flourish and those who are using the program to make a difference for children and families in Worcester and its surrounding communities.
"Project Flourish has become an invaluable resource to welcome and support new professionals to the field. It's a near perfect design that is meeting the pipeline and workforce challenge for early education and care," says Kim Davenport, CEO of Edward Street.
Read our blog posts below for more information about Project Flourish and what it's like to be a program graduate:
- Worcester's New Childcare Apprenticeship Program Opens Career Pathways
- They're Flourishing: Project Flourish Apprentices Graduate with Childcare Certifications
- From Project Flourish to Flourishing in the Classroom: Catching Up with Project Flourish Graduate Nicole Peterson
If you're interested in a Project Flourish Child Development Apprenticeship, contact Luz Nunez, Lead Workforce Development Coordinator at Family Services of Central Massachusetts, at 508-454-2734 or lnunez@sevenhills.org or Leslie Baker, Program Director, at 508-454-2742 or lbaker@sevenhills.org for further assistance.
Edward Street supports Project Flourish and high quality early education and care programs in Central MA. Donate today so children, families, and our community can thrive, and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.