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Across seven counties, the Real Life Choices program serves more than 4,000 students by providing a curriculum based on healthy relationships, personal responsibility, and avoidance of high-risk behaviors. Over a six-week period, students learn how to set goals, maintain self-sufficiency, and utilize powerful decision making skills that will follow them into their futures.  Sometimes the best way to appreciate the impact of a program is by letting the people experiencing it s

This month's newsletter addresses one of the most crucial aspects of protecting the members of your family by staying educated and aware of potential warning signs. Our Parenting Network offers free classes that help parents and guardians to stay informed on these signs and how to handle them. Download our newsletter to learn more and see how you can become more involved in the learning process.

Perhaps the most powerful tool in any mentor’s toolbox is the ability to listen—to truly understand the mentee. Creating the space for trust allows the possibility of a meaningful partnership. Through this collaboration, the relationship becomes symbiotic—one in which both parties benefit from understanding the other. It often begins by making room for quality time. “One of the big things I have taken away from my time with students,” says Real Life Choices Director Jennifer

At Family & Youth Initiatives, the donations we receive are more than material support–they are investments in dignity and opportunity for real families and youth in our community. Every item we receive could be a lifeline to a family in need, every dollar donated creates the potential for a new beginning, and every hour volunteered creates the possibility for a brighter future. When families receive good-quality, gently used clothing, baby gear, strollers, high-chairs, and o

Starting a journey together begins with only a few steps. Each and every one of our programs believes in progress, and every new year is another chance to create positive moments for students and families alike. Take a look at our January newsletter for some insight into how we are celebrating our milestones and setting powerful goals in order to make 2026 our best year yet.

There are few experiences in life that are equally exciting and intimidating as becoming a parent and welcoming a new life into the world. No one truly knows what to expect or whether they will live up to their own standards of parenting, and that uncertainty is completely normal. What is  certain, is the fundamental change to daily life and the way you will plan your family’s future.  Roles within the household will require more flexibility, as partners need to be there for

None of us truly knows what will take place on any given day, let alone the course of a year. A year is a long time for so many different highs and lows to shape any one person’s experience, and it’s a defining moment in time that could change the course of the rest of your life. However, one of the most powerful methods any of us can use to ensure positive momentum into a new year is creating a goal and sticking to it. This doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing as making a

2025 was a defining year for Family & Youth Initiatives, marked by challenge, growth, and the power of connection. Take a look at our December newsletter for our year in review.

Milestones and Mistletoe This year marks a milestone for Family & Youth Initiatives as we strengthened our community bonds through our investment in this year's Holiday Toy Run, a 47-year tradition founded by the Medway Highway Hikers Motorcycle Club. Not only has it created a powerful relationship between our two organizations, but cultivated connections with others including Bethel Churches United and Children’s Rescue Center–both of which have worked tirelessly to ensure a

November showcases the New Roots program as the final focus in our "Program History" series. See for yourself how New Roots have left their mark on so many student's lives in such a short period of time.

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously stated, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” While this may sound like an oversimplification of our close relationships, the point is to understand how the people closest to us influence our thoughts, habits, and even our choices. Though this evaluation is not intended for judgment, it highlights the profound impact we have on one another. These people have become the inner circle within our “sphere of i

You may or may not have heard about the most recent after school program conducted by our New Roots Program, the Kindness Krew. This program has been developed by New Roots Program Director, Erica Stefanow, in order to promote one of the most enduring qualities a person can have – kindness . Kindness Krew presents fun and foundational exercises that allow students to express their feelings of kindness in positive and impactful ways. This helps students share compassion with o

Being a teenager today can feel unfamiliar to the way many of us may recall the past, but there are still parallels in the ways mental health, personal identity exploration, and the social pressures of family and peers play a role in emotional development. Some may be fortunate enough to have a loved one to lean on, someone to listen to their thoughts and concerns, but others aren’t always so lucky. These reasons, along with many others, are indicators why it is so crucial to

October focuses on the impact made by one of our three programs, Real Life Choices. Explore how we guide middle and high school students in building self-worth and making informed, safe choices.

There are always lingering pressures when it comes to making the right life choices, and these decisions feel especially overwhelming...

Understanding and setting healthy boundaries is one of the most important life skills we can teach our young ones, especially as they...

Do you have a plan to deal with overwhelming stress? It is entirely normal that every parent or caregiver will experience stress during...

Help Us Keep Hope Alive for Local Families - Your Gift Doubled Through November 13 Dear Champion, For more than 45 years, FYI’s Parenting...

This month's newsletter explores the history of the Parenting Network and how it became the cornerstone of the Family & Youth Initiatives...

Infant mortality is a powerful yet largely unconsidered factor in a nation’s overall health and well-being. The CDC defines this as the...