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Family Nurturing Center to open classes in Phoenix Lisa O'Connor, executive director of the Family Nurturing Center, left, Louise Horn, supervisor, and Julie Webb, therapeutic teacher, prep a classroom Friday in their modular at Phoenix High School. Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch Tuesday Dec 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune A preschool program targeted toward low-income families and run by the Family Nurturing Center will begin classes within the next two weeks on the Phoenix High School campus. A relief nursery program will begin after the New Year. “Phoenix is a poverty hot spot,” said Lisa O’Connor, executive director for the center. “Most (families we serve) are in poverty or home insecurity and food insecurity. They move around.” Family Nurturing Center approached the Phoenix-Talent School District to see whether it had land to accommodate the programs. The district approved location of a separate building in the northwest part of the high school campus under a lease agreement. A few spots remain for the Preschool Promise program, which can accommodate 18 students. Children of families with incomes up to 200 percent of the poverty level are eligible.  “Our kids need a little more dosage duration,” said O’Connor, explaining that both programs will operate year round with 48 weeks of classes. Relief nursery accepts children from up to 5 years old. Referrals come from the community. The program is designed to break patterns of abuse and neglect. The nursery will provide a classroom environment, with two teachers and aides to serve 22 children. “The child nursery classes are for the children so they have a place to learn and love and deal with their emotions,” said O’Connor. “We also work with the families, which is the basis of our program.” Funding for the relief program comes from the Oregon Association of Relief Nurseries, a program approved by the state Legislature that covers 75 percent of the cost, while the agency provides a 25 percent match. Grants from Oregon Community Foundation, Southern Oregon Early Learning Council and local donors support the preschool. Community 101 at Phoenix High donated $1,000 toward the establishment of a butterfly garden at the site. There is no federal funding at this time. Carrico Foundation paid for the 1,700-square-foot modular building that was moved onto the site. Adroit Construction served as the general contractor, working with subcontractors who donated a portion of their services. The preschool will collaborate with Phoenix Elementary School’s kindergarten program, said District Superintendent Teresa Sayre. “There will be a nice transition to our kindergarten classes,” said Sayre. With O’Connor, the high school will explore development of courses and classes to allow students to interact with the center and possibly develop a credential, said Sayre. The parent coordinator at Phoenix Elementary will be recommending siblings of students there who might benefit from the classes. The on-site director will participate in district professional development activities. “With them willing to be a partner to serve the families in the city of Phoenix, we are fortunate to have them reach out to us,” said Sayre. Family Nurturing Center ran a similar program at Kids Unlimited but lost the space as that organization grew. The city of Medford offered space, but similar services were already offered in Medford, and the agency wanted to serve another area, O’Connor said. Family Nurturing Center operates programs in Jackson and Josephine counties. More information can be found at http://familynurturingcenter.org. — Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected].