Family Programs

Attendance at Family Nights has grown tremendously over the last four years. Rather than concentrate on increasing attendance during the next two years, we hope to add to the positive impact of family nights. We will continue to offer a variety of activities, some educational and some just for fun. Family Nights will include dinner (often donated by local restaurants), and will be free. We will add new activities each evening designed to contribute to the cohesiveness of families. These will include games, challenges, contests and other interactive activities in which whole families participate. Also, at every Family Night we give families written and verbal information on protective factors and developmental assets, using Search Institute materials. Family Nights are currently attended by an average of 18 families, compared to average attendance of 7 families four years ago. We will continue to offer 8 Family Nights each year, providing a variety of educational and fun activities. Family Nights provide families with education, access to community resources and positive activities. They also enhance parent/child relationships, reduce social isolation, and help reduce stress in the family. Family Nights will serve at least 30 families per year.

New this year, will be a family retreat to an accessible, attractive location. We will serve 4-6 families the first year, and up to 10 families the second year. Families will have opportunities to learn and play together and separately. Activities will include recreation, parenting workshops, stress relief such as yoga and massage, and life-skills workshops such as financial management and nutrition. The first year, we will take families away for one day and night. The second year we will expand to three days. The family retreat will enhance parent/child relationships, reduce social isolation, and reduce stress in the families.

A family newsletter goes out quarterly to 200 local families and 150 community members, and is posted on our website. It gives families information about family-friendly community events, highlights accomplishments of local children and youth, disseminates information relating to children, youth, and families, and offers parents practical tips on family life. It also heightens public awareness about issues facing families, and community efforts to address those issues. Search Institute information on the 40 Developmental Assets is distributed at events and in our newsletters.