Group to gauge local interest in CAN
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 21, 2018 5:50 AM
The public is invited to a meeting to determine interest in forming Wayne County CAN, Child Advocacy Network, designed to focus on public policies at the local, state and federal level to benefit children and families.
It will be held Tuesday, March 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at WAGES on Royall Avenue. Dinner will be provided at no cost from 5:30 until 6 p.m., and free child care will be available.
Adam Sotak, public engagement director for NC Child based in Raleigh, said that the potential site in Wayne County will be one of three hubs planned to have up and active by year's end. In addition to the Triangle location, the other will be in the western part of the state.
"Our vision moving forward is that we have more resources down to the community level, so we might be able to provide some funds, for example, to the local agencies," he said. "We're going to be able to connect advocates in Wayne County with others around the state facing similar issues."
The main goal is to work collaboratively with a wide range of partners in this community and build a stronger advocacy voice for key children's issues, Sotak said.
The purpose of the March 27 meeting is to gauge interest in forming Wayne CAN, a group that would leverage the strength of organizations and individuals who care about Wayne County's children, he said.
Sotak said preliminary meetings have been held to gauge interest from area organizations, with an eye toward building partnerships. In addition to that, individuals, particularly parents and community members, are encouraged to support the effort.
The program for the initial session will include input from five local organizations, giving brief presentations on the work they do. These include WATCH, Goldsboro Pediatrics, Partnership for Children of Wayne County, Read Wayne and WAGES.
"That's going to set the table, because they're going to talk about the different important issues," Sotak said. "We will try to do a prioritizing exercise, essentially focusing on the issues they feel are important for children and families."
To register or find out more, contact La-Mine Perkins at 919-827-7558 or email lamine@ncchild.org.