Parent Resources
Parents provide the most influence on a child’s life. Educating yourself and your children about the dangers of substance abuse is the most important step in helping your child live a drug-free life. Be open and honest with your children about drugs and alcohol.
Parents and your youth ages 10-14 are invited to attend this nationally recognized program designed to build family strengths.
Strengthening Families is a program for adolescents and their families. The program is 7 weeks, with a weekly 2-1/2 hour session. Each session begins with a family meal. Parents and youth then move into separate classrooms for one hour. The final hour is a family session, in which parents and youth come together to share what they have learned. See the brochure here.
El programa esta disponible en espanol. Vea el fotello aqui para Familias Fuertes.
Parenting Wisely
Parenting Wisely is a 4-hour CD-ROM or video-based program for parents of adolescents. It can be done individually or in small groups. Children can participate with their parents but are not required to do so.
Available in English and Spanish.
Contact TOGETHER! for information about partnerships with schools, educational agencies, faith-based communities, and other organizations about these classes and their benefits to families.
Family Partnership Alliance
The Family Partnership Alliance helps parents prevent youth from accessing alcohol and other drugs. This alliance provides a way for families to network with one another when their youth are visiting each other’s property, and to pledge to one another that during such time, every effort will be made to prevent youth access to alcohol or other drugs.
More information on the Family Partnership Alliance and New Member Sign-up Form
Little Red Schoolhouse
2010 dates: There are several upcoming opportunities to support Little Red Schoolhouse, and the 2010 Distribution Day is Aug. 19. Click here for more information.
Little Red Schoolhouse was founded in 1991 by social service agencies, churches, businesses and individuals to help kids who, because of their family's economic circumstances, are forced to start school without supplies or adequate clothing.
The program provides a backpack, school supplies and clothing to thousands of needy students at an annual distribution day before each school year begins. The clothing and most supplies are gathered through donations, and the organization purchases some of the more expensive supplies. The event is entirely volunteer-run. Little Red Schoolhouse has been sponsored by TOGETHER! since November 2006.
The distribution day grows every year. Ten years ago, more than 1,000 children received supplies. In 2009, 2,343 students were helped at the event.
Check out this video montage of the 2009 event!
Here are some quotes by attendees at 2009’s event:
"The Little Red Schoolhouse tells me that there are people out here that still care and have hearts. This event allows me to pay another bill. My water will stay on and I don't have to choose between my child and basic necessities. We are very grateful for the volunteers. I don't think they get thanked enough."
– Anika
"This event helps me tremendously. My husband just lost his job three weeks ago. We didn't know how we were going to pay for everything.... It was all overwhelming."
– Victoria, with 2 children
"This our only source of all supplies. If we didn't have this, there would be no supplies or clothes for our kids."
– Tiffany, family of 6
"Financially, we are very tight this year. It really takes a load off my mind to know my children can go to school with everything they need. This event was very well organized. Everyone was very helpful!"
– Christina, family of 5
Go to www.redschool.org to find out how you can volunteer for or donate to Little Red Schoolhouse.