Parents Program Overview

"We can't say enough about the SEEDS experience. Most of SEEDS programming is the academic and social preparation before the independent school experience, but it's beyond that. John Alexander's roommate freshman year was from a similar program and had trouble adjusting to his new surroundings. John Alexander was never on his own. In addition to our family's support, SEEDS sent members of the team to check in on him at school and touch base periodically. SEEDS goes so far beyond other programs. SEEDS was an opportunity for our family through our son. SEEDS has been a God-send for John Alexander and for our family. Attending Concord Academy before going on to Davidson would have been unattainable otherwise."
~John and Adina Hall, parents of John Alexander Hall, SEEDS Scholars Class of 2007, Concord Academy Class of 2011, Davidson College Class of 2013

Guided by a 22-member Parents Committee (with Area Captains and a Parents Focus Group), the Parents Program is overseen by a full-time SEEDS Parents Coordinator. Now approaching its sixth year, the Parents Program continues to provide invaluable support to all SEEDS families. SEEDS parents provide support in a variety of ways, including sharing their expertise and experience at parent education workshops, recruitment information sessions, student mock interviews, family nights, the annual independent school fair, and the Alumni College Day. In addition, parents also support the mission of SEEDS by telling their own stories at many donor-related events, Board meetings and retreats, at the annual Parents Luncheon, and at parent association meetings throughout the area. SEEDS parents also provide each other with invaluable translation assistance and emotional support as their children move into the new worlds of independent schools and colleges.

Highlights of the Parents Program include:

• Increased Parent Giving and Volunteer Hours – In 2011, SEEDS parents volunteered 2,000 hours of their time. SEEDS parents increased their financial support as well. Total parent giving was more than $30,000 including a matching gift from the Reitman Foundation, and the number of parents who contributed to SEEDS was up 26% from the number of parents who contributed in the previous year.

• Precious Passdowns Boutique– An annual event, this two-day boutique makes school and dress clothing available free of charge to SEEDS students and their families. Thousands of items, including shirts, ties, suits, slacks, dresses, sweaters, winter jackets and party attire, are donated. The donations are helpful to students as they prepare for independent school and upcoming events, including interviews, convocations, commencements, bar/bat mitzvahs, Sweet Sixteen parties and proms. By partnering with Jack and Jill of America (Essex/Hudson Chapter), Friends of SEEDS and the Board of Trustees, Precious Passdowns serves more than 200 students and families each year. Photos of this year's boutique can be found here. Community organizations interested in organizing a clothing drive should contact Parents Coordinator Jamie McClintock at 973.642.6422, ext. 226.

• Counseling Support for Students and Families– SEEDS continues to provide referrals for counseling services to members of the SEEDS community.

• Care Package Project –The Parents Committee worked with Friends of SEEDS to distribute care packages to SEEDS Scholar Alumni attending independent day schools, boarding schools, parochial schools and magnet schools. The packages included treats to help students get through exams, as well as personal notes of support and inspiration. 

SEEDS Parents interested in volunteering should contact Parents Coordinator Jamie McClintock at 973.642.6422, ext. 226.   

New Jersey SEEDS is grateful to Barclays and the Reitman Foundation for their support of the Parents Program.