History of TTIPS
Mission:
To empower, inform and encourage innovative parenting for
the upliftment of our children, our nation and our world.
Motto:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
citizens can change the world: indeed it is the only thing that
ever has.”
Margaret Meade
1993 - 1995
Parenting Support began as the project of three parents working in
the areas of Education and Early Childhood Development. Marilyn
Atherley, Barbara King and Marina Torres. We were all frustrated by
our frequent encounters with parents and caregivers who were making
severe mistakes due, partly, to lack of good information and
largely, to a lack of solid support. We also saw that many parents
who want to parent well cannot always afford to access the services
and information available. Inspired by the TIBS newsletter, we had a
model to follow, but a new direction to take.
September 1995
Started producing and distributing the Parenting Support Newsletter
quarterly at our own expense. Photocopied and sold 200 copies.
July 1996
We started getting subscription orders, increased production to 500
copies and enlisted the services of a printery.
1998
Funding support from the Canadian High Commission fully sponsored
production of the newsletter for 2 years. This enabled us to:
Increase to 8 pages and print 2000 copies per issue. Give space to
allow children to air their views, Increase the scope of the
Parenting Support Directory Increase readership by more than 300%
1999 - 2000
Reaching out to the nation and beyond Hi Lo Food Stores assisted in
distribution to out-of-town areas. Subscribers from Arima to
Marabella. One subscriber and regular readers in Aruba, samples sent
to contacts in London, Barbados, US.
Funding support, received from the J.B. Fernandes Memorial Trust
1, enabled production increase to 5000 copies.
2000-2001
Introduction of Parenting Support Workshops
Hosted parenting workshops in St. Augustine (2), Santa Cruz (2) and
San Fernando (1). 1 workshop for staff of the national Airline.
T&T Innovative Parenting Support registered as a non-profit
organization.
2002
Introduction of Support Groups.
- First group established in Santa Cruz
- Facilitators Training Course conducted. 13 persons trained
to establish and lead new support groups.
- New groups established in Arima and Port of Spain
- Funding support from J.B. Fernandes Memorial Trust 1 enabled
production increase to 8000 copies.
2003
- TTIPS establishes first office at 48 Green Street, Arima, to
co-ordinate activities and provide services to the public.
- Funding from J.B. Fernandes Memorial Trust I supports the
development of infrastructure and capacity building.
- Parenting Support production increases 10,000 in 2003.
September - December 7000 newsletters delivered directly to
homes in Cedros, Arima and environs through TTPost.
- 16 new Parent Empowerment Facilitators trained.
2004
- Focus Group meeting with teachers and school representatives
from the Arima area to establish needs of parents in the
community. 20+ persons attended.
- Funding received from Canadian High Commission for office
equipment
- 6000 newsletters delivered to homes in Central Trinidad
- 18 new Parent Empowerment facilitators trained -including 5
from Servol, Toco Foundation.
- May 5th Launch of TTIPS website –
www.ttips.org
- June: 2 Trainers attend International Association of
Facilitator’s Conference, Arizona.
- Director and Facilitator Trainer Barbara King certified
by IAF as Certified Professional Facilitator - first in
Trinidad and one of 5 in the Caribbean.
- August: 22 facilators trained for specifically for Toco
Foundation
- September – October: Hosted courses for parents in Effective
Discipline and Anger Management.
- Newsletter is increased to 12 pages with full colour cover.
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