Strengthening Families

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND THE OLD COLONY YMCA

How Developmental Assets and the Five Protective Factors can help make our families stronger

The Old Colony YMCA has adopted the Strengthening Families framework as a means to provide greater support for families.  Through this framework and our Developmental Asset model (developed by the Search Institute), we hope to promote healthy parenting, youth development, and strong families.

All families, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, economic status, or place of residence, can use Developmental Assets and the Five Protective Factors outlined below. 

Because all families need help, no matter how little, the Old Colony YMCA is committed to providing the resources necessary to give that help.  When the parents are busy supporting their child, they might not be getting the support they need. Parenting is One Tough Job, so... Who is helping the helpers?

The Protective Factors, designed to do just that, are outlined below:

1. PARENTAL RESILIENCE

Being a parent is hard work.  The ability to bounce back from and cope with all types of challenges has never been more important.  It is during times of distress that your child needs you most, and you must be able to be strong through those times.  When a loved one is sick, when a financial situation turns dire, or when there's trouble at work, your child needs you to overcome that adversity and maintain a positive attitude.

At the Old Colony YMCA, Mental Health Clinics are often utilized to overcome the stresses of parenting.  If that's not for you, then participating in one of our fitness programs might prove to be a truly cathartic experience.

 

2. SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Social connections help parents build positive networks of support.  Ultimately, parents need friends to maintain a connection and an involvement in their community.  Friends also give parents a break from parenting.  It is important to have social connections outside of your children so that when you are with your children, you can be at your best.  If you don't have time for friends or social activity, try putting together a schedule of your time to find out where the openings are!

At the Y, our East Bridgewater location now features a family fitness room.  Here, you can exercise with other parents experiencing the same things that you are. 

 

3. CONCRETE SUPPORT IN TIMES OF NEED

Almost all families need help somewhere along the way, and eventually we will all need support and the resources to get that support.  Access to food, shelter, clothing, and services such as support groups, counseling, and even Parent Cafès are important for parents in need.  A parent in need can be defined as a mother who is exhausted from working multiple shifts, a father who has just lost a loved one, a family experiencing financial difficulties, or any other situation that requires the parent to ask for help.

The Y has long been committed to proving parents with resources and support.  Through our Street Outreach Program, food and emergency/everyday essentials are providing to those who need them.  Our substance abuse program serves those in need of group or individual support, and our Family Services division supports those who are experiencing homelessness.  The Y also offers convenient child care services and after school programs for families in various towns and schools.

 

4. KNOWLEDGE OF PARENTING AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Parents with access to accurate information about child development are better equipped to understand a child's behavior, and therefore better able to relate to their child.  As a start, parents can seek information from the Developmental Asset model.

Making information easily accessible for all parents is a priority of our child care program.  Learning from other parents and sharing common experiences is another way to learn about child development. 

5. SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE OF CHILDREN

The Developmental Asset model frames this Protective Factor perfectly.  Parents often wonder how they can continually promote morals and values with their children, and assets can help you do this!  A child's ability to interact with others, self-regulate, and effectively communicate has a significant impact on the parent-child relationship.  The more you promote Developmental Assets, the more proficient your child will become in these areas.

Our YMCA Developmental Asset model encompasses all that contributes to positive child development, and Strengthening Families reinforces it from the perspective of the parent.  Combined, these two concepts can help any family in any situation.


RESOURCES FOR PARENTS: Copy these links into your address bar!

The Search Institute: 
http://www.search-institute.org/

Strengthening Families: 
http://strengtheningfamiliesprogram.org/

Massachusetts Childrens Trust Fund: 
http://mctf.org/Pages/welcome.aspx

One Tough Job: 
http://www.onetoughjob.org/

OCY Child Care Site: 
http://www.oldcolonyymca.org/childcare/

OCY Social Service Programs: 
http://www.oldcolonyymca.org/socialservices