What’s happening this month at the Family Resource Center

Welcome 2012! May this be a healthy and prosperous year for all families.

We begin the new year offering our first family education class of 2012:

Strengthening Families

A seven-week interactive class geared for parents/caregivers and their 10- to 14-year-old children.

Both parents and children attend each session. Classes run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9.

A complimentary, light dinner will be offered at 5:30 p.m. and childcare is available with RSVP by calling 221-0484.

Strengthening Families has been shown to help parents learn nurturing skills that support their children, teach parents/caregivers how to effectively discipline and guide their children, teach both youths and parents to deal with stress and peer pressure while giving youths a healthy future orientation and an increasing appreciation of their parents and caregivers.

Please join us for this wonderful opportunity. Call 221-0484 to sign up.

Holiday House 2011

This year’s Holiday House was a big success both on South Whidbey as well as Coupeville. More than 300 children were served in each location.

A big thank you to all community, individual, volunteer, service club, faith-based and business owners and employees who contributed to this most-celebrated event.

This project would not be possible without your support!

Mother Mentors

“Free vital support for families with young children.”

Mother Mentors is a program offered by volunteer women who remember what it is like to be at home with little ones.

Do you have a newborn? An older child (or children) and a newborn? Mother Mentors is there to assist!

Want to become a Mother Mentor? The next Mother Mentor’s training day is at 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 in the Fireside Room at United Methodist Church on Anthes Avenue and Third Street in Langley.

To sign up for the training, call Janet at 341-1442 or 206-972-2420 or email wamothermentors@gmail.com.

Mother Mentors is our newest program under the Readiness To Learn Foundation.

Relatives as Parents Program

Are you raising a relative’s child? Is the child your grandchild, niece or nephew? You are not alone.

There are more than 35,000 grandparents and other relatives raising children in Washington state.

Would you like to join an informal group of relative caregivers who understand what you are going through? You are invited to attend a RAPP meeting once a month in the Family Resource Center. We also welcome drop-ins.

We are located at South Whidbey Primary Campus in the light green portable next to the small playground.

For more information or to sign up, call Marilynn Norby at 221-6808, ext. 4602.

Single Mom’s Group

Our group is open to any mom who is parenting alone, or feels alone, and needs the support of other moms. Join this group in a casual and confidential atmosphere at the Family Resource Center.

We meet once a month and provide a light dinner and free childcare (upon request). Bring yourself, your ideas, your joys and your challenges to this supportive environment.

For more information and to RSVP with childcare, call 221-6808, ext. 4602 or the direct line, 221-0484.

Parents of Special Needs Children Group

All parents and caregivers of special needs children of any age are welcome to join this monthly support group. Relax with other parents who share the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs.

Meetings take place in the Family Resource Center. Childcare is provided upon request. Call Norby at 221-6808, ext. 4602 to RSVP and for more information.

Volunteer of the Month

We are happy to announce our January Volunteer of the Month, Nick Reitz.

Nick is a seventh-grader at Langley Middle School. His mother, Mary Michell, also works in the Family Resource Center.

Nick came to us wanting to volunteer at the Back To School project and kept going right into Holiday House!

Nick is a tireless worker and cheerful team player. We encourage any student who is interested in volunteering to give us a call.

Thank you Nick! You are a welcome addition to the Family Resource Center.

Contact Information:

Readiness To Learn Foundation/South Whidbey Family Resource Center

South Whidbey Primary Campus, in the light-green portable, 5476 S. Maxwelton Road, Langley. Call 221-6808, ext. 4322 or ext. 4602.

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