2019 PROGRAM:

Strengthening Families

Strengthening-Families-2018

Families BUILD positive relationships. Parents LEARN techniques to support their children. Youth DEVELOP skills to deal with stress & peer pressure.

Strengthening Families Program

Free Registration

Eventbrite - Strengthening Families

 

April 18, 25  May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 , 2019

6:15pm - 8:45pm

McMurray Middle School

Parents want to protect their children, but it’s challenging. Youth need skills to help them cope with stress and resist the peer pressure. This seven-week “Best Practice” program brings parents and their children together to learn and practice skills for improving family relationships, decreasing family conflict and risky behaviors, and building stronger bonds.


This seven-session interactive course is designed to bring families closer by addressing some of the difficulties households face as children navigate the adolescent years.


The sessions are broken into segments developed specifically for kids and adults.  Each evening a culminating activity will bring family groups together to discuss what they learned and make a plan for how to bring the lessons back into their homes.


Session topics include:
Parenting with Love and Limits
Encouraging Good Behavior and Using Consequences
Dealing with Stress
Peer Pressure and Good Friends
Understanding Family Values
Building family Communication
and much, much more...


Childcare will be provided for children under the age of 10 at each of the eight sessions.


Each Week...
Parents and youth meet in separate groups for the first hour and together as families during the second hour to practice skills, play games, and do family projects. Sessions are highly interactive and include role-playing, discussions, learning games, and family projects.

  • Parent sessions consists of presentations, role-plays, group discussions, and other skill-building activities.
  • Youth sessions engage each youth in small and large group discussions, group skill practice, and social bonding activities.
  • Family sessions use specially designed games and projects to increase family bonding, build positive communication skills, and facilitate learning to solve problems together.

Parents/Caregivers...

Using Love and Limits      
Making House Rules
Encouraging Good Behavior    
Using Consequences
Building Bridges            
Using Community Resources
Protecting Against Substance Use    


Youth…
Having Goals and Dreams       
Appreciating Parents
Dealing with Stress            
Following Rules
Handling Peer Pressure I        
Handling Peer Pressure II
Reaching Out To Others        


Family…
Supporting Goals and Dreams    
Appreciating Family Members
Using Family Meetings        
Understanding Family Values
Building Communication        
Reaching Our Goals
Putting It All Together and Graduation


Lead Facilitator: Woody Pollock

Woody2

Woody Pollock attended the University of Idaho and LIOS Graduate College of Saybrook University. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Communications and a Masters in Psychology with a concentration in Systems Counseling.


He has worked in the fields of leadership, education, and training for over 20 years, and has supported individuals, families, and groups as they connect more deeply with themselves and others in a variety of settings. He specializes in working with youth, adults, and diverse populations in a therapeutic counseling setting.


He has extensive background in alternative and experiential education, working with youth as a mentor and vocational teacher, and with adults as a facilitator for leadership and group development. He is currently a community trainer for national curricula, delivering evidenced-based parenting, prevention, and mental health programs across the state. Woody is also trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and is completing certification in Process Oriented Psychology at the Process Work Institute, Portland.


Woody has a deep passion for menswork, and is an active long-time participant in ManKind Project meetings and weekends. He leads mens’ groups as part of his practice, as a way for men to connect and explore their deeper selves and hold themselves accountable in a culture that encourages men to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence.


Currently running a successful counseling practice in West Seattle, he also provides support to the Vashon Island School District teaching Healthy Living and leading student support groups.