|
|
WINNER!
|
The Problem:
Large numbers of families are homeless due to the impact of substance abuse on their lives.
We know that chemical dependency tends to run in families, which means that a significant number of children served in homeless shelters will themselves become victims of the effects of their parents’ chemical dependency. These children are also at risk for continuing the cycles of chemical dependency and homelessness.
The good news is we know who these children are and what to do to help them break these cycles!
Our Solution:
Family Connection fills a significant gap in the continuum of care for homeless children and their families by offering a program of supportive services in family and battered women’s shelters and transitional living centers.
Family Connection provides three types of core services:
- Support Groups for Children
- Support Groups for Parents
- Life Enrichment Activities
"Family Connection" Benefits and Goals
The Goals of Family Connection are to:
- Protect the Children -- to interrupt and prevent the intergenerational cycle of family chemical dependency and homelessness by helping children to build individual coping skills and personal resiliency (the capacity to withstand and overcome adversity and hardship).
- Help Parents Protect Their Children -- to help parents build their parental coping skills, improve family bonds and restore personal resources…which in turn helps protect children from the risks they are unable to avoid.
- Help the Community Protect Homeless Children -- to help identify gaps and to build the knowledge, networks and resources needed to meet the unique needs of homeless children.
"Family Connection" Site-Based & Life Enrichment Activities
Site-Based Activities
Children’s Support Groups: Children meet in small groups with Family Connection staff to participate in guided discussions and activities, which help them learn about themselves, their feelings, friends, goal setting and how to make healthy choices.
Parent Support Groups: Parents meet in small groups with Family Connection staff. This group provides a support system for the parents, focusing on their children.
Tutoring/Homework Assistance: Family Connection staff assist children with their homework or other school-related assignments as needed.
Learning Tools Kit: Family Connection staff use activities in the Learning Tools Kit to assist parents in teaching their children basic life and educational skills.
Family Play Time: Family Connection staff model for parents how to spend recreation and relaxation time with their children through activities such as reading stories, watching videos and participating in gym activities.
Life Enrichment Activities
Art With a Heart: Children are matched one-on-one with performing arts mentors to create their own "performance" together.
Family Outings: Monthly social, cultural and recreational outings for the whole family (away from the shelter).
Camp Broadway: A week-long camp emphasizing the performing arts and culminating in a production.
Kids’ University: A week-long summer learning experience on a University or College campus.
Camp We Can: A week-long outdoor camping experience including swimming and horseback.
Back-to-School Party: School-age children receive backpacks filled with new school supplies while celebrating at a back-to-school party.
Fall Harvest: An annual drive designed to provide each child with new clothes for the beginning of the school year.
Community Service Projects: Family Connection staff coordinate a variety of service projects for parents and their children.
"Family Connection" -- A Program That Works!
1999 HUD "Best Practices" Award Winner,
Building A Better Tomorrow
In July, 1999, Rainbow Days’ Family Connection program was chosen as a "Best Practice Program" by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Family Connection was one of 100 programs that were selected from an applicant pool of over 3,500 agencies and organizations across the U.S.
A HUD Best Practice is defined as a program or project, management tool, and/or technique that fulfills at least two of the following characteristics:
- It generates a significant positive impact on those it is intended to serve or manage.
- It is replicable in other areas of the country, region, or local jurisdiction.
- It demonstrates the effective use of partnerships among government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or private businesses.
- It displays creativity in addressing a problem and demonstrates effective leveraging of resources.
Benefits
Evaluation of the Family Connection program indicates that children and youth involved in the program derive the following immediate benefits:
- increased understanding of the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use
- increased understanding of the impact of chemical dependency on the family and society
- increased self-awareness
- improved self-worth
- increased pro-social attitudes
- increased ability to express feelings effectively and constructively
- improved communication skills
- improved understanding of relationships
- increased capacity to make decisions and solve problems
- increased sense of purpose and future
Family Connection training includes written curricula -- which equip the staff and volunteers of emergency shelters and transitional housing programs with the skills needed to implement the Family Connection program.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided funds for a portion of the activities described on this site. This does not imply their endorsement or concurrence with statements or conclusions contained herein.
|
Contact webmaster