In Conversation | A Pilgrimage Opens the Heart and Mind

“One of the strongest interventions you can do with a parent is to build that capacity in the brain, and to say really simple questions like what do you think your baby needs right now?”

Karen Longenecker, Clinical Social Worker and member of the Program Committee for Episcopal Relief & Development’s Board of Directors, sat down with Rob Radtke, our President and CEO. Listen to Karen and Rob reflect on the work they observed during a recent pilgrimage in Zambia. As you learn more about our integrated Early Childhood Development program, check out ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE, Episcopal Relief & Development’s grassroots Church-wide fundraising campaign dedicated to improving the lives of children.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS:

Early Childhood Development (ECD) : In order to reduce illness and death among expectant and new mothers and their children, Episcopal Relief & Development supports local initiatives that train health workers and community volunteers to actively engage with families and monitor child health.

Empowering Parents: Education about early stimulation and growth and development is critical for children to reach their full potential. Using a holistic and integrated approach, we focus on teaching parents and caregivers skills and activities that involve play, nurturing and stimulation through home visits and family support networks.

Asset-Based Community Development: Episcopal Relief & Development seeks to assist individuals and whole communities to believe in themselves – their knowledge, their abilities, their values, their worth and to act as facilitators that engage and energize people through an appreciation and affirmation of the gifts that exist within a community.

Karen Longenecker serves on the Program Committee for Episcopal Relief & Development’s Board of Directors. She is a former member of the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, where she served as the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on World Mission.

Rob Radtke is the President & CEO of Episcopal Relief & Development.