"I love their connection!"

Dominique Sam, ROSS Health and Wellness Specialist for the Housing Authority of the City of Austin, has been engaging families through the Housing Authority of the City of Austin for eight years. As a specialist and recruiter, she’s always looking for ways to engage resident families and she sees value in the relationship between The Housing Authority of the City of Austin and Austin PBS.

“Austin PBS and The Housing Authority, I love their connection!”

For her, this connection centers on families learning and growing together. Recently, Dominique recruited families to attend a free Molly of Denali Family and Community Learning workshop series held virtually with Austin PBS staff. This series of five workshops engages families in active, hands-on learning experiences and digital media around PBS KIDS programming, like Molly of Denali.

One family that participated, Catherine Martinez, caregiver of Noah Ruiz, says that the experience gave Noah something to look forward to and be excited about. In fact, 62% of participating families reported that the workshops increased their child’s excitement about reading, writing, or literacy.

“I think I would recommend it to every parent to participate in because it really challenges them to do just something different,” says Catherine.

Dominique Sam has seen first-hand the impact Austin PBS makes by providing opportunities for families to come together and get excited about learning new skills. She recognizes how important and beneficial it is to families when adults are able to connect with their children through these workshops.

“Seeing a family that comes in that may be shy and get to a program and see them grow throughout The Housing Authority is a wonderful feeling.”