AFFILIATES:
Family
Studies show that a strong family unit improves the chances that a family can escape the poverty maze. A strong family unit is supportive of its members. A strong family unit has the ability to work together and succeed. A strong family takes seriously its obligation to learn how to become healthy and transfers that knowledge to other members of its core family group.
Encouraging Family Foundations
SECOM helps people who have entered the poverty maze build on the strength of their family unit, through a Kent County program called Encouraging Family Foundations.
SECOM’S Encouraging Family Foundations (EFF) is one of three offered in Kent County and it is the only EFF program that is offered in Spanish.
SECOM provides transportation to and from EFF classes for families who do not own a car or who do not have access to GRATA services
The series of six sessions is designed for low income (below 150% poverty level) parents in Kent County who would like to learn more about parenting issues.
Weekly classes include instruction on balancing family and work, securing the baby’s future, healthy relationships, managing money, parenting skills and family planning.
In keeping with SECOM’s fundamental mission to reduce hunger, the EFF program includes a nutritious four course meal at each session.
Pailalen (To be in peace)
The program provides a strength-based prevention-intervention group experience, for parents with children between 3-18 years old, that addresses violence against themselves (drugs/alcohol, depression/suicide), violence in the family (child abuse, domestic violence), violence against the community (juvenile delinquency, crime, gangs).
The parent training Curriculum is structured into an Orientation, Twelve weekly 3-hour sessions, plus the graduation ceremony.
Additional to service, providing childcare, snacks/meals, incentives are built in to dissolve barriers to attendance and encourage a positive connection with each participant.
Pride for Parents
Parents earn a Christmas gift for their child by completing volunteer services during the year. To volunteer or learn how you can donate a present, please call Cher at 616.452.7684 ext. 3001.
Pets
One Saturday every three months the Kent County Humane Society provides low cost pet services at SECOM. Visit the Humane Society's website (http://hskc.org/we-help-pca.htm) for information on their services and call Mildred at 616.452.7684 to reserve a place for the next Humane Society visit.