January 2010

THRIVE – YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thanks to Evelyn Beussink of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services for serving as the Chair of our THRIVE Committee for the past two years.

Congratulations to our two new Co-Chairs who will assume office this month.  Welcome to Kristen Foltz-Schlegel of Child Care Resource and Referral and to Jessica Belanger of Missouri Mentoring Partnership!

Kristen has been an active member of THRIVE since its inception in 2005 and Jessica became involved a year ago as a Social Work Intern working at the Community Caring Council.

Both Kristen and Jessica have experience in putting assets into action and will be effective THIRVE leaders, helping to promote asset building throughout the community.

The next meeting of the THRIVE Committee will be Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 3:45pm at the Jackson Jr. High School, Room #1.  Laura Baugh, School Social Worker will be present with several Jackson students who belong to the Student Advisory Groups at the Jr. High and High Schools in Jackson. Committee members are looking forward to learning from youth during the coming year and will plan future meetings at other participating schools.

Membership is open to anyone in the community interested in promoting positive youth development in our community. Please give Stacy Taylor a call at 651-3747, ext 118 for more information or just attend one of our meetings. We would love to see some new members!

PARENT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION – BUILDING STRONG FAMILIES
Follow-up evaluations were recently mailed to participants of our Building Strong Families sessions in the fall. These evaluations allow us to determine if participants are actually putting into practice some of the knowledge gained during the sessions.

A total of 13 evaluations were mailed in early December and 7 were completed and returned. Here are some very positive results.

All (100%) agreed or strongly agreed that:

• The program contributed to my setting up meaningful time with my children.
• The program contributed to my using at least one idea to build my family’s strengths.
• The program contributed to my spending more quality time with my children.
• The program contributed to my making my home a healthier environment.
• The program contributed to my child using better reading skills.
• The program increased my ability to manage stress.

When asked about specific changes that had been made, the participants shared the following:

• “We did something once a week on the material presented.”
• “I tried hard for more patience.”
• “Reading together and listening to each other”
• “More quality time together” (3)

When asked what they liked about the program, the participants stated:

• “The group interaction and the gifts”
• “The food and fellowship and information I did not know”
• “The door prizes, the joking, time spent with other parents”
• “Family time”
• “The friendly atmosphere”
• “Topics were great”
• “Learning about decision making and positive choices”

Another group of Building Strong Families sessions will be offered at Cape Area Family Resource Center in March/April 2010.

UPCOMING PARENTING OPPORTUNITIES
Please share this information with your clients and co-workers.

Survival Skills for Parents
Tuesdays, 1:00 -3:00 pm
January 26 – March 3, 2010

Lutheran Family and Children’s Services
3178 Blattner Dr.
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Call to register or to get more information – (573) 334-5866

Kay Azuma
Community Coordinator