In-person sessions starting Tuesday, April 1, at the JCC Rec Center
Register here!
The Strengthening Families Program 10-14 is a FREE multi-week series of classes that uses games and playful activities to teach family communication—which is proven to reduce conflict and prevent youth substance use. The program is open to any family with a child or children ages 10-14. Childcare for children younger than 10 will be available, and dinner will be provided to all attendees.
Next session:
- Tuesday nights on April 1, 15, 22 & 29 and May 6 & 13
- 5:30pm-8:00pm, with dinner running from 5:30pm-6pm
- James City County Rec Center, 5301 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188
Dinner’s on us! Receive dinner each week your family attends.
FREE $25 Gift Card for families who complete the program!
What to expect:
- Entire program is FREE to participants
- Meal provided for each family
- Child care from a qualified, background-checked Bacon Street employee or intern
- Interactive family games and activities to promote family-time
- Peer-to-peer group workshops: adults in one room, youth in another
- Full-family wrap-up to talk about the night’s activities
What past participants have said:
- Youth expressed a better understanding of how to handle peer pressure and what makes a good friend. They especially enjoyed the friendships they formed during the program and the activities they did in the family sessions with their parents and caregivers.
- Adults noticed the positive impact the program had on their kids – noting that their kids were more open and receptive to having conversations with them. Having a better understanding that many of their youth’s behaviors are age-appropriate also made them feel less alone. They finally shared that finding a balance between the two parts of the program’s motto of “love and limits” really helped them feel more confident in their skills, and that they gained useful tools from the program, like holding regular family meetings.
Questions? Contact: Allison Jarvis, ajarvis@baconstreet.org or (757) 253-0111 ext. 201
Strengthening Families 10-14 was developed by Iowa State; our program is made possible by a grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth.
More about Strengthening Families: Parents want to protect their children, but it’s challenging. Youth need skills to help them resist the peer pressure that leads to risky behaviors. Research shows that protective parenting improves family relationships and decreases the level of family conflict, contributing to lower levels of substance use. To learn more, visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/sfp10-14/