THE SONS and MOTHERS (Photos by Nikki Denton)
Small Seeds Development, Inc. believes in uplifting and celebrating families. In recognition of individual and family achievements, the Small Seeds’ Mother to Son Program (MTSP) held its 14th annual anniversary banquet at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers building on Pittsburgh’s South Side.
The MTSP is a strength-based program designed to improve the quality of life for single mothers, their sons and their siblings. The MTSP is unique as it offers specific services and activities to single mothers and their sons ages 8 to 15—as they journey from boys to men.
The program offers a single mother support group; manhood training and “Rites of Passage” for the sons; and a Council of Elders, a group of mature volunteers who offer advice and family mediation based on life experiences and skills.
“Our services and activities not only speak to the need for goal setting, academic improvement, self-esteem, financial literacy education, health and fitness, cultural education for the entire family, but also stresses family interaction and support,” said Andrew Cheeseboro, Small Seeds CEO.
Highlights of the 2012/2013 program included financial literacy workshops, parenting education, the “Rites of Passage” event at Camp Guyasuta, a field trip to Penn State University, and other civic events. Currently, the MTSP aids 56 families and plans to expand its mission of family unity and cooperation to the North Side and South Side of Pittsburgh.
Mothers and sons in the program expressed the impact that MTSP has made in their lives. Several mothers thanked program leaders and Small Seeds for encouraging them to gain employment, go back to school, live healthier lives, and one mother was inspired to write a book.
Deborah Evans, a new mom enjoying her first year in the program, expressed her gratitude to the staff.
“It is great people who make it easy to write a note of thanks. I will share with others the work of MTSP,” she said.
Davida Peterson remains thankful for the persistence of her son, Tyler. After seeing a flyer regarding the MTSP program some five years ago, he continued to encourage his mother to sigh him up. Peterson and her family are grateful every day for the support, manhood training and sibling care (her daughter has a disability) that has been given. She is amazed at how her family life has improved while being involved in the MTSP.
The MTSP encouraged Tiwanda Alston, to write and publish “He Held me Close: Reflections of a Life Almost Lost,” a memoir of her life beginning with her teen years overcoming bad relationships, a suicide attempt and other obstacles. Alston said she was able to complete the last section of the book after embracing the concept of forgiveness, which had been taught at one of the single mother support group sessions.
Shiane Prunty, another mother, stated that the consistency of the group sessions and follow up with her family allowed her to understand her son’s developmental progress allowing her to make headway in family improvements.
The MTSP is excited about the opportunity to empower single mother households and expose families to education, entrepreneurship, social and health-related issues.
The program also promotes and stimulates a greater appreciation for family development and civic involvement and informs families about emerging economic, communal and political issues.
“We know we can achieve more by working together,” says Cheeseboro. “And the success of families in the MTSP proves this to be true.”
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