The saying “It takes a village to raise a child” is about to take on a whole new meaning.
Since Boulder Creek resident Krystal Long floated the news that she is working to start a family enrichment center in Scotts Valley, messages of support, ideas and interest have poured in.
“I’m getting an average of 20 emails per day,” said Long, the mother of two boys, Noah, 3½, and Kellen, 11 months, at the site of the new center this week.
Long’s planned business, The Village Birth and Family Enrichment Center, will be located in the Scotts Valley Corners center near Surf City Coffee, Quizno’s and Red Brick Pizza.
Long’s goal, as she articulates it, is simply to serve families in any and all aspects of parenthood. The Village, for short, will host classes and workshops on topics from birth education to yoga, parent support groups, play dates, arts and crafts, dance, family planning and more.
Professional services by massage therapists, life coaches, doulas and photographers will also be hosted at the facility as resources to parents and their children.
Long hopes the center will be open seven days a week with opportunities for working mothers to attend in the evenings.
“This feels very hopeful for parents,” said Elizabeth Green, who is helping Long launch the center. “I think there really is a need and that there is an opportunity here.”
Long is a graduate of University of California, Santa Cruz, with 10 years’ experience working with families. She has led mothers’ groups, worked in a prenatal drug treatment facility, worked in adolescent mental health and tutored young people in the Friday Night Light program at juvenile hall.
She is starting The Village to provide easy-to-find resources for parents, grandparents and children of all ages.
“After I had my first (son), I felt a little depowered,” Long said. “I felt like I didn’t have much choice.”
She hopes the center will be a place for parents and grandparents to find what they need and feel supported when they have children and grandchildren.
“You’re always a new parent, no matter how old your kids are,” Long said. “There’s always something changing.”
The Village will have a sponsorship and launch party Dec. 4 to raise some more money to get the center’s operations started, likely in the spring, Long said. The launch party will include a silent auction and information on The Village’s offerings.
Even early in the process, Long is thrilled with the response she has received and is open to more ideas. She can be reached through the center’s website, www.santacruzvillage.com, or at 216-6262.
“The all-encompassing theme I’m hearing from people is ‘I wish I had this when my kids were growing up,’” Long said.
The Village launch party
When: 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 4
Where: 6006 La Madrona Drive, Ste. D, in Scotts Valley
Info: www.santacruzvillage.com
