I'm the therapist for a program that works with young mothers (in their teens and early 20s) to help them develop the skills and resources they need to provide for themselves and their children. The program provides education (both for high school diplomas or GEDs and for college or technical training programs), job training, group and individual therapy, parenting education, workshops in life skills and wellness topics, and lots of support to help these women overcome the barriers they face.
Most of the participants in our program live in poverty -- and most of them come from generations of poverty. Many, many of them have experienced some type of abuse or neglect or were exposed to domestic violence or parental substance use as children. Some of them struggle with their own substance abuse issues, and others have themselves been victims of domestic violence.
In short, they have many challenges and many barriers as they work to become self sufficient young women and competent, confident parents -- as if being a parent (especially a young one) isn't challenging enough on its own.
They come to our program looking for tools to help them change the future for themselves and their children. They are often inspired by their children, and their desire to give their children a different life than the one they have known. I'm inspired as I watch how hard they work, and I'm often humbled by their courage in confronting the barriers in their lives.
I share all of this because we have started a blog in the program. You'll find it at http://www.familieslearningtogether.net/, and I hope you'll click over and visit -- and come back often. The participants are just getting into the swing of blogging, and I know they'd love to have some followers and commenters.
I think you'll find their journey over the course of the next few months truly inspiring.
Shared on
0 comments:
Post a Comment