MEMPHIS, Tenn. — New parenting centers were just one of Memphis’ solutions for curbing teen violence, but almost a month after opening their doors, few parents are showing up to use them.
Couches were ready for parents and guardians.
The playrooms were filled with crayons and toys for children.
The only thing missing: people.
When WREG stopped by the city’s two new parenting centers Monday afternoon, we saw a lot of empty rooms.
Directors of the Universal Planning Places or UPPs at Baptist Women’s Hospital and Knowledge Quest in South Memphis told WREG people have been coming, but lines were not out the doors.
“We have had 17 individual clients come into the center,” Paige Marcantel with Baptist’s UPP said. “We have eight new clients scheduled for this week.”
Knowledge Quest’s UPP has about seven clients who come in on a regular basis.
One parent told WREG she loved the idea, especially considering the UPPs are free for families, but they would only make a difference if parents committed to using them.
“When they get the idea out there that this is not something that’s against them, that it’s for them they will come out more,” they said.
The UPP’s offer information and counseling about health, behavioral issues and other problems.
“I think sometimes parents are just looking for some additional guidance on how to handle some of those types of things,” Marcantel said.
She added that lots of calls come into the center, but some parents just were not willing to admit they needed help.
She has been pleased with the growth they have seen in the three weeks they have been open, but said she was hoping for more.
“I think we’ll be able to meet a great deal of need at these two centers,” she said. “But yes, we would love to grow.”
Baptist’s UPP is located at the Women’s Health Center at 6225 Humphreys Blvd.
Knowledge Quest’s UPP is at 990 College Park Drive.
