Neighbor News
Wellspring to Offer "Family Night Out" Program in North Brunswick
Family Night Out program offered to parents, caregivers and youths starting January 25th at Livingston Park Elementary School in North Bruns
A Family Night Out program will be offered to parents, caregivers and youths ages 10-14 starting January 25th at the Livingston Park Elementary School located on Ridgewood Avenue in North Brunswick Township.
Family Night Out is a seven-session program that works with children ages 10 to 14 and their families to address teen behavioral problems and issues of substance abuse.
The evening starts with a free family meal. “We serve a well-balanced, nutritional meal and the families sit down together and enjoy that family meal time, which sometimes doesn’t happen anymore,” said Helen Varvi, Deputy Director at Wellspring Center for Prevention (formerly NCADD of Middlesex County, Inc.).
After the meal, the parents and children meet separately with Wellspring Preventionists and staff.
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The adults learn and discuss parenting techniques to help them deal with their children during adolescence. They review subjects that include parental love and limits, making rules, encouraging good behavior, using consequences, protecting against substance abuse and getting help through community resources. During student time, subjects such as having goals and dreams, appreciating parents, dealing with stress, following rules, dealing with peer pressure and reaching out to others are discussed. After dinner, youths work as a group while parents work together; later, the youth and parent groups come together to play games and work on activities, such as skill building.
The first Family Night Out session in North Brunswick is scheduled for Monday, January 25 starting at 5:30 pm. Subsequent sessions will follow on Mondays February 1, 8, 22, 29, March 7 and 14, and a booster session to be offered April 28th.
Find out what's happening in South Brunswickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Free childcare is available for children younger than ten. Enrollment is limited so interested families need register ASAP to reserve their spot.
A gift card will be provided to each family at the conclusion of the program, with good attendance.
To register, contact Johanna Pagan at 732-254-3344 ext. 111 or via email at Johanna.pagan@wellspringprevention.org
This program is made available through a grant from the NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
