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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...

As we step into some of the busiest months of the year for Family & Youth Initiatives, we are reminded of how grateful we are for the...

For students, the freedom of summer feels too valuable to let go, yet the reality soon sets in that there is an inevitable ending to even...

This month we start a dive into the history of Family & Youth Initiatives. Join us on a journey through the evolution of our programs and...

The transition from middle school to high school is one of the most significant and, at times, overwhelming developmental phases in a...

As summer begins to wind down, we begin preparing our young ones to return to school, and as we know, each year brings its own unique set...

Without our volunteers, FYI could not be what it is today! Let's take a look at what makes volunteering one of the most crucial aspects...