Community Impact Team Offers More Free Parenting Workshop

This October, the Guiding Good Choices parenting program will again be offered as a free workshop series to the North Reading Community. The evidence-based program aims at helping adults prevent high-risk behaviors among youth. The program is open to all parents, grandparents, and caregivers of children.

“We know through years of research that caregivers matter to kids,” said Drug-Free Communities Director Amy Luckiewicz. “Research has shown that when children are bonded to their caregivers, peers, and schools in safe and supportive ways, they are less likely to initiate substance use and other high-risk behaviors.”

Program Instructor Jen Ford explained, “The key to the success of this program is the focus on open and honest discussions. We really strive to provide a confidential atmosphere while teaching specific strategies to help parents guide their kids.”

The series topics include:

October 5th Workshop 1: Family Fundamentals and Values

October 12th Workshop 2: Facing Family Conflicts and Risk Management

October 19th Workshop 3: Setting Your Family Up for Success

October 26th Workshop 4: Youth Substance Use and Mental Health 101

The program is facilitated by North Reading Youth Services Director Ford and Youth Services Committee Member Jason Slattery who have been trained in the curriculum as well as led previous workshops.

One program parent graduate encouraged others to participate, “I'm glad that I attended these four workshops which are very informative and educational, especially the last workshop. I’m a believer in helping to build a strong family bond and develop resilience positive youth. I wish I had these kinds of workshops when my son was a teenager. I'm sure it would have made my life easier.”

The four-part series will be hosted at the Flint Memorial Library Activity room and will include dinner and a gift card raffle to all participants each week thanks to a grant from Winchester Hospital. Attending all four workshops is recommended to maximize learning.

To register for the introductory webinar or any of the program workshops, please visit www.northreadingma.gov/CIT and click on EVENTS. Please contact Christie Perrone at northreadingCIT@gmail.com, or call (978)357-5054 with any questions.