There is a new program with a big name that is searching for little ones on the west side.  The Washington Addition Prenatal & Early Childhood Education Project (WAPECEP) is a 5-year project that was launched earlier this year thanks to a grant from the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation. WAPECEP, pronounced “wah-puh-sep”, is administered by staff in the Human Capital Development Division of Jackson State University–a department headed by Angela M. Gobar, Ph.D.

The purpose of the project is to assist children (prenatal to 5) with school readiness.  The project also seeks to link the resources of Jackson State Universities with expectant mothers and families with children ages 0-5 in the Washington Addition Neighborhood.

WAPECEP kicked off it’s family enrollment on November 6th and is continuing recruitment with enrollment  sessions planned for Thursday, December 2nd (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) and Thursday, December 9th (2 p.m. – 5 p.m.).  Both sessions will take place at Love Outreach Ministries (1436 Hair Street).

Interested families can visit Love Outreach Ministries at any time during the scheduled session times to enroll in the program.

If you or someone you know have a child between the ages of 0 and 5 (or are expecting a child), you are encouraged to attend the enrollment sessions. If you would like additional information on the Washington Addition Prenatal & Early Childhood Education Project, contact Cynthia Azogini, Project Coordinator, by phone at (601) 979-0663 or by email at cynthia.w.azogini@jsums.edu.