Southside Family Project’s Post

Churches That Help Single Mothers Navigating life as a single mother can present many challenges, but it's important to remember that you're not alone. Many churches and religious communities offer a wide range of support services designed to assist single parents in need. Here's how you can get help:   Reach out for support. The first step is to contact the churches near you. Many churches provide direct assistance or can connect you with local resources tailored to single parents. This could include counseling, financial assistance, food pantries, childcare, or educational workshops.   Participate in community programs. Churches often host community programs that cater to single parents, offering a safe space for you and your children to connect with others who are in similar situations. These programs not only provide emotional and social support but can also include practical help like meal sharing, clothing drives, and school supply giveaways.   Ask about specific services. Don't hesitate to inquire about specific services you may need. Some churches offer counseling services, which can be particularly beneficial for navigating the emotional and logistical complexities of single parenthood. Financial assistance programs are also available in many congregations, providing crucial support in times of need.   Volunteer for reciprocal benefits. Consider volunteering at church events or programs. This can be a great way to give back to the community that supports you, and often, volunteers have access to additional resources or early information about upcoming assistance programs.   Utilize child and youth programs. Many churches offer programs for children and youth, which can be a great way for your children to engage in positive activities, learn, and make friends in a safe environment, while you take some much-needed time for yourself or attend to other responsibilities.   Remember, the key is to ask for help. Churches are typically welcoming and willing to assist, or at least to guide you to someone who can. You're taking a brave step for yourself and your children by seeking out support, and there's a community ready to stand with you. #SingleMomSupport #ChurchCommunityHelp #FaithBasedAssistance #ParentingTogether #CommunityOverEverything #SingleParentsUnite #HelpingHandsCommunity #SpiritualSupportSystem #LocalLove #FamilySupportNetwork

It's been a sad week in that we announced the closure of a v special charity. Tower Hamlets Opportunity Group was estab 37 yrs ago by Lorraine Dooley. Lorraine had encountered exclusion & felt unwelcome in local EY services with her child with additional needs. There was little understanding of neurodiversity and no support for those navigating an unexpected parenting path. Together with Kim May, they found a space and opened the doors to all families who felt isolated and alone in caring for their children with additional needs. THOG pioneered an inclusive approach to early years ed, registering with Ofsted and ensuring that at least 51% of places were for children with complex physical, emotional & social needs. The team welcomed 100's of families through the doors over the last 4 decades, offering radical hospitality, love and welcome to all. I've been humbled to be part of THOG since 2005. I've learnt and benefited so much more than I've been able to give. It's shown me the strength of community led work. I've been challenged to think differently about how we partner with & trust the expertise of comms & VCSE sector. Too often we view communities like mine in LBTH from a deficit lens, when in fact there is much strength & richness in community despite the challenges we face. In the public sector we've more recently developed an industry of kindness & compassion, recognising the importance in delivering better services. We've built a language around this, instructed staff to "be kind" & researched what makes some places kinder than others. Whilst this is great, what strikes me with projects like THOG is: 💚 THOG staff didn't need a framework or academic paper to know that kindness & compassion matters 🌻THOG staff didn't need to be told about inclusion, it was automatically at the centre of all they did. A deep belief that every child matters & that each child needed an ind. approach to enable them to thrive ❤️ Early intervention should focus on supporting families as much as the children 💠 Enabling children to thrive is multifaceted. It is not about education quality alone, but a holistic approach. Staff would and still go above and beyond to support wider family needs, providing food, signposting and helping with housing, financial and health needs 🌟 THOG staff have never spoken about "hard to reach" children and families. When families in need were referred but couldn't access the centre, the team arranged home visits, and negotiated the use of mini buses to support with transport. They knew it was services being poorly accessible rather than "hard to reach people" 🥰 THOG understood the isolation that many families experienced, their feelings of disempowerment in navigating rigid statutory pathways, the sense of helplessness and feeling devalued. For the charity, seeing the value and the potential in all families & children was core to the incredible impact they've had Thank you THOG (& thanks for indulging my long post)

I am here to help young people and children in Scotland to thrive. To help young people to become successful both as individuals and as members of the wider community.  To help young people understand their thoughts and feelings, where they come from and how their experience of life is created. So that they can get to a point of understanding where their true skills and gifts lie, so that they can bring these to life in the service of the wider community. Strong, confident, resilient, creative and wise people are a vital element in creating a successful community and country. And we all have the ability to be strong, confident, resilient, creative and wise. It's who we are, it's the part of us we have lost sight of, to put it in today’s terms it's our factory setting. We now have the knowledge to support this transformation in children and young people and it is way simpler than we thought it was. It doesn’t take tricks, techniques, years of talking therapies, exercises or pills and pharmaceuticals. As a result it is incredibly cost effective. 11 simple hour long sessions with 9 - 18 year olds will do it for most young people, and it can be taught in the classroom, in small groups online or as 1-2-1’s. This is the ‘instruction manual for the mind’ which allows kids to step out of the infernal triangle of victim, rescuer and oppressor. Yes, absolutely things in their outside world will need to be sorted out to enable some to start to thrive, some will have way more challenges than others and some have way fewer than they think. If we bring kids to the understanding that allows them to access their peace of mind, wisdom, resilience, love, gratitude, internal security, hope, kindness, they will be in touch with everything they need to navigate the situation they find themselves in.  The more people that grow up knowing this, the more we break the cycle of abuse that is currently being perpetrated. The tool I am using is iheart Innate Health and Resilience Training and it has been developed by a tiny charity in London, with the support of a wider Three Principles community. When I teach this course I see the light come on in the eyes of the kids.  It's truly empowering and it's ready to be rolled out. I need help as do a couple of other facilitators in Scotland and the charity in London to get some real momentum behind this. The understanding that iheart is developed from, turned me from a ‘victim/rescuer’ in my mind, to an active participant in my life, so I know it works.  Iheart have also done a good deal of research on this and have got fantastic results. If you or anyone you know is looking for help with their child 9 - 18 and wants to try something new, maybe other approaches haven't helped or waiting lists are too long - Contact me. You never know this could be the answer you were looking for and you will be so relieved if you find out that it is.

This report details the reality of what those of us in schools, colleges or alternative provision, those of us who are parents, or supporting parents, those of us working within local authorities or within child and adolescent mental health services, those of us in charities or social and community support groups…are seeing, feeling and deeply concerned about. Child and youth voice led systemic and radical change is needed. Banning things, fining and punishing, compliance based policies, looking at human behaviours through a lens of ‘won’t’ not ‘can’t’, lack of belonging or human connections…are some of the most damaging factors at play. Despite all of the potential to remove barriers and enable, all the tools to adapt and include, unless we can reframe, empathise and comprehend the reality of the genuine and hugely devistating situation for the children, young people and their families we will simply be chipping away at best. ‘Feel it to heal it’ - when you know, you know and once seen you can’t unsee. So many of us know how, we just need authentic, relational, evidence based and research backed excellent pockets of practice to inform policy. Beyond Inclusion Ltd Childhood Matters Consulting Ltd

🌟 Nurturing Families, Strengthening Nations: The Ripple Effect 🌟 In the intricate tapestry of life, families are the invisible architects, weaving threads of resilience, compassion, and legacy. Let's explore how these threads connect us to a greater purpose, creating ripples that extend far beyond our immediate circles: 1. Family as the Bedrock of Society: - Families aren't isolated islands; they're the bedrock of society. Imagine parents working tirelessly to provide for their children's education, health, and emotional well-being. These efforts ripple outward, shaping not only individual lives but also the collective consciousness of our nation. 🌱 2. Strong Families Build Strong Communities: - Families don't exist in isolation; they interact with their communities. When families thrive, they create a ripple effect. Picture a close-knit neighborhood where families support each other—whether through childcare, resource-sharing, or volunteering. This strengthens the community fabric, creating a resilient network that uplifts everyone. 🏡 3. Nation-Building Starts at Home: - A nation is a collective of its citizens, and these citizens come from families. Therefore, strong families collectively contribute to nation-building. Consider this: Families that emphasize honesty, hard work, and compassion pass down these values. Citizens who uphold these principles contribute to the nation's progress. The ripple effect? A society built on integrity and shared purpose. 🌎 4. Learning Values in the Family: - Families are the first classrooms for life's essential lessons. Children learn moral, spiritual, and cultural values within their family circles. These values shape their character and guide their actions. The ripple effect? A generation that carries these virtues into workplaces, schools, and civic spaces. 📚 5. Challenges and Healing: - Families face challenges—economic hardships, health issues, emotional struggles. Addressing these challenges contributes to societal well-being. Imagine a family dealing with addiction seeking help and healing. As they recover, they become advocates for addiction awareness, supporting others facing similar struggles. The ripple effect? A compassionate movement that touches countless lives. 🌿 6. Elderly Care and Intergenerational Bonds: - Caring for senior family members matters. Abandoning elders harms both families and society. Picture grandparents actively participating in their grandchildren's upbringing. They pass down wisdom, traditions, and cultural heritage. This intergenerational connection enriches society, creating ripples of continuity and shared memories. 👵👴 Remember, when we work for our families, we indirectly contribute to the greater good of our nation. Let's celebrate the strength of families—their love, resilience, and interconnectedness—as they set forth ripples that shape our collective destiny. 🌟✨ #FamilyFirst #CommunityStrong #NationBuilding #RippleEffect

Do you work with grandparents and other kin raising high school seniors? If so, please use and widely share this new resource from the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network - it has detailed directions for students raised by kin to complete the FAFSA, the federal financial aid application that opens doors to money to pay for college. As with most things, the instructions for these students are different than for students being raised by parents. The great news - in most circumstances, only the students' income and assets are considered in determining aid! So, it's very important to fill out the application correctly because it can help ensure bright futures for these young adults. https://lnkd.in/ggV-fZyS #KinshipCare #Grandfamilies #FAFSA

🌟 NEW 🌟 NEW 🌟 NEW 🌟 NEW 🌟 MONDAYS (Starting Monday 30th September) Set Up: 3.30-4pm (Welcome to come and help) GROUP RUNS: 4-6pm Tidy up: 6-6.30pm (Not required by all help welcomed) LANCASTER METHODIST CHURCH, SCOTFORTH ROAD, LANCASTER LA1 4TE Fee: Donations/ Pay what you can afford. (If you are coming from outside of Lancaster and are happy to car share/ offer the spaces in your car, please let me know.) The After School Hub is a 'stay and play' group for parents/ carers/ adults and their children (all ages welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult). Children must be supervised at all times. This group is a community; A safe space. We all muck in together and we are all there to support each other. If you're coming along, you're part of our community, even if you're not a regular. Put any skills you have to use; if you're good at making brews, good at cleaning up, good at crafts, good at being a homework help, good at singing- anything that can be of use, let us know and get stuck in! Everyone has a place and role if they want one. It's not the group to come along to and leave the kids to it whilst you sit and check your emails or the like. (No judgement, this just isn't the group to do that at.) Different activity areas available; all ages, interests and social development catered for. Is there something missing? Let me know. Is your child showing a particular interest in something? Let me know. Is your child struggling with something that we can help with? Let me know. I will try my best to provide. Teamwork encouraged between both adults and children. Do you have a junior, pre-teen or teen that help the younger ones out? Bring them along. Play will be offered slightly differently. Children may need some support with this- It's all part of building the community, please persevere if this is new to you or your child or you/them are finding it tricky to navigate. *Is it a birthday or a special occasion? Let us know so we can celebrate with you!* THE RULES: - No judgement. - We also don't judge other children's behaviour. If there is an issue or concern, we have a conversation. We have to drop our ego's and also be mindful that other children will need different levels of play/ exploration. - No social media or games apps. - We are a team- equals. Adults and children. - We respect the environment and work together to do this. Adults and Children. - You are responsible for your children and they must be supervised at all times by someone. This group is a not for profit group. You can contact me, Emma, via message or by emailing thenonperfectparentsclub@outlook.com

“These numbers prove that England has a broken educational system” warns the Chief Executive of Ambitious about Autism. According to the leading charity, autistic pupils are more than twice as likely to be excluded from school than their peers 👇 https://lnkd.in/eqtSgTpB With research showing that more than a quarter of autistic children in England are persistently absent from school, we’re interested to hear from education professionals on this matter. Share your thoughts with us in the comments section! #educationnews #education #educationcareer #educationresearch #autismawareness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EmpowHer Enterprises Inc Announces Partnership Between Children's Aid and Family Services and our signature program, Journey Totes EmpowHer, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young women, is thrilled to announce a new partnership between Children's Aid and Family Services and Journey Totes, one of EmpowHer's signature programs. This partnership aims to provide suitcases filled with personalized items such as toiletries, school supplies, and clothes to children in need. Journey Totes, an initiative developed by EmpowHer, focuses on supporting vulnerable children who are transitioning between homes or foster care placements. By providing them with essential items and personalized care packages, Journey Totes aims to bring comfort and stability during challenging times. The partnership with Children's Aid and Family Services will further strengthen the impact of this program and allow for even greater support to be provided to children in need. "We are excited to join forces with Children's Aid and Family Services to expand the reach of Journey Totes," said Zaza Farrell founder and spokesperson for EmpowHer. "Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of these children by providing them with the essential items they need and showing them that they are cared for and supported." Through this partnership, Journey Totes and Children's Aid and Family Services will work together to identify and support children who can benefit from this program. EmpowHer encourages individuals and organizations to join in this worthwhile cause by making a donation to support the provision of Journey Totes. Donations can be made by visiting https://lnkd.in/eW6Zy43Q and contributing to this worthy cause. EmpowHer, Children's Aid and Family Services, and Journey Totes express their gratitude to all individuals, organizations, and partners who contribute to this partnership and support the mission of providing personalized care packages to children in need. For more information about EmpowHer and the Journey Totes program, please visit www.empowherinc.org ### About EmpowHer: EmpowHer is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young women and equipping them with the skills, resources, and support they need to thrive. About Children's Aid and Family Services: Children's Aid and Family Services is a leading non-profit organization committed to supporting children, families, and individuals in need. With a focus on providing comprehensive services and programs, Children's Aid and Family Services strives to create a safe and nurturing environment for all individuals to thrive. About Journey Totes: Journey Totes is one of EmpowHer's signature programs that provides suitcases filled with personalized items such as toiletries, school supplies, and clothes to children in need.