Great Start Family Coalition
Great Start Shiawassee Family Coalition

Parents play a critical role in the healthy development of young children, ages 0-8. Great Start Shiawassee recognizes the expertise and value of parents. The Great Start Family Coalition supports efforts to engage, empower, and recruit parent leaders.
Family Coalition Meetings
Join us at our next meeting to enjoy dinner and conversation with other parents. Fun learning activities for parents and children.
Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the Month from 5:30 - 7:00 pm, September through May. Dinner is served at 5:30, and discussion starts at 6 pm. Supervised care is available. Meeting details are located on the Great Start event calendar. Location: 114 W. North Street, Owosso, Michigan.
Contact Us
To find out more information about the Great Start Shiawassee Family Coalition contact our
Great Start Family Liaison
Jennifer Babcock
989-725-2581
babcockj@sresd.org
Great Start Shiawassee at Work
These materials are funded through a grant provided by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.
Talking Is Teaching
Great Start Shiawassee provided four Talking is Teaching signs in Grand Avenue Park to encourage conversations with the families around senses, numbers, community and how things move. How do you use your senses in the park?
Look for Talking is Teaching signs in Grand Avenue Park, Collamer Park, Bentley Park, and Harmon Patridge!
Parent Cafe: Cup of Calm
Join Erica on October 19th from 10:30 to noon at the SRESD Early Childhood Center, 114 West North St., Owosso, for a relaxed conversation with other parents and caregivers. Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be available, as will supervised care for children.
Free with RSVP at bit.ly/4itgaAZ
Questions? Ask for Erica at calling 989-725-2581.

Book Nooks & More
- Book buckets are available at Lounge Barber Shop, Cutting Edge Salon, Foster Coffee Co., Cakey Cakes, Dowen's Barbershop, Stompin' Grounds, Young Cadillac, Lunghammer Ford, and It's A Deli.
- Book nooks are at the Shiawassee County Health Department and DHHS.
- A book shelf is at Smokin' Jacks BBQ.
Story Walks
Families looking to explore the outdoors with their children will enjoy the Story Walks. As they walk along the designated path, they will find pages from a book, which they can read together. The walk at DeVries Nature Conservancy is a 1/8th of a mile or as far as your imagination can take you. The stories shared on the Story Walks vary by season.

Mobile Story Walks Available
At your next event, encourage families to take a walk and explore their imaginations with the Great Start Shiawassee Family Coalition’s Mobile Story Walks.
Books available include:
Fish Eyes
Let's Go Bikes
Hey Coach
Farm Animals
Belly Breathe
Be Who You Are
Gardens are for Growing
Five Little Ducks
Free to non-profits and educational institutions with advance registration. Book the mobile story walk by contacting Jennifer Babcock at email or 989-725-2581.
Join Us! Great Start Shiawassee Event Calendar
Subscribe to Join Us! Great Start Shiawassee Event Calendar Calendars-
19 October
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Parent Cafe: Cup of Calm 10:30 AM to 12:00 PMParent Cafe: Cup of CalmDate: Mon Oct 19Time: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PMLocation: Early Childhood Learning Center, 114 W North St, Owosso, MI 48867, USACalendar: Great Start Shiawassee
October 19th from 10:30 - Noon
SRESD Early Childhood Center, 114 West North St., Owosso
Free with RSVP at bit.ly/4itgaAZ
Relax around a table with other parents and caregivers with coffee, tea and light refreshments.
Supervised care for children is available.
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