Strengthening Families program starts in Rainy River tonight

Submitted by
Hal Wilhite

A new program called Strengthening Families for the Future Program begins tonight in Rainy River.
This program will provide a unique opportunity for parents/ caregivers and their children to learn how to maintain a home environment free from violence and/ or addictions. In general families will benefit by learning to have improved family relationships due to an increase in parenting and children’s life skills development.
Families wanting to participate must have at least one child between the ages of 7 to 13 and be able to attend 14 once-a-week sessions. There will be no cost for participating in the program and there will be a free meal prior to the beginning of each session.
Meals will be served starting at 5:30pm at Riverview Elementary School and the evening sessions will start at 6:30pm at Rainy River High School. The program is offered through separate one-hour sessions for the children and the parents followed by a one-hour family session. The programming is fun, stimulating and interactive. Family participation prizes will be given away nightly.
Strengthening Families will begin on March 20 and will be run each Tuesday night thereafter until June 19. The following community organizations are facilitating this family opportunity: Riverside Community Counselling Services, Rainy River District School Board, Ontario Early Years Centre, Rainy River Transitional Services, Big Grassy Community Care Program, Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team Northwestern Health Unit, Family and Children Services Rainy River Child Development Program, and the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health.
You can register up until the third week of the program by contacting Hal at 852-4462, Gabe at 852-3362, Rosanne at 852-4117, Alison at 488-5917, Gaylene at 852-3268, or Carolyn at 852-3387. Please register early because the number of families that can participate is limited and ask if you need child- care assistance.