As many of us reflect on our Christmas celebrations, I’m mindful of a dear friend whose celebrations are filled with joy, sorrow and hope. One of her precious grandchildren again is not at the table, forever snatched from this life at the hands of an abusive parent. It is due to tragedies like this that members of the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) strive to encourage healthy families and promote awareness of 5 identified foundational factors of healthy families. Healthy families are better equipped to nurture their children; something we all can appreciate as worthwhile.
These factors are:
• Concrete supports for parents: Meeting basic needs for housing, food, medical care, clothing, employment, or emotional support
• Nurturing and attachment: Parents and children share warm feelings and children develop trust in their parents’ care
• Knowledge of parenting and child development: Parents learn what to look for and provide at each age, helping their children reach for their full potential
• Parental Resilience: Parents creatively problem-solve and address daily challenges and they are also willing to seek additional help when needed
• Social Connections: Parents with a network of family, friends, and neighbors have better support in their time of need
Many in our community are reaching out to families in their sphere of influence. Won’t you join us in supporting an effort to build up healthy families in our community? CAPC has a fund-raising opportunity Jan. 8, 2011, 8 to 10 a.m. at Applebee’s, in Baxter. Come for a $5 pancake breakfast and join us for this worthy cause. Proceeds will go locally to Bridges of Hope, specifically funding a program that supports families at risk by providing for their needs including offering training, resources and encouragement. We hope to see you the morning of Jan. 8. My dear friend plans to be there, supporting the development of healthy families, for the benefit of us all.
SHERRY SOLSTAD is a citizen member of CAPC in Crow Wing County.
