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Back-to-school season isn’t just an adjustment for kids, it’s a transition for parents too. Discover simple ways to manage stress and rebuild routines while setting healthy technology boundaries and making room for yourself as your family settles into the new school year.

Summer break is coming to a close, and kids are beginning to lose sight of their seemingly endless free time, making the step back into a school routine feel more like a leap. Though time is tight, there are many opportunities to make the transition back to structure feel less overwhelming and ease the pressures of unfamiliar school dynamics. Calming those “First Day Fears” · If given the opportunity, take your child to visit the new school or classroom before their firs

Summer is almost over, but that doesn't mean there aren't still memories to be made! In the final weeks of the break, it's more crucial than ever to make the most of our time and be our best selves. Check out this month's newsletter to see what that means for FYI and our community of supporters.

What Is a Digital Detox? A digital detox is an intentionally planned period of time in which someone takes a break from digital devices and online activities. It is a chance to step away from the constant pull of screens and create a healthier balance with technology. We can sometimes find ourselves trapped within our self-made virtual boundaries without even realizing it. Whether it is social media, binge-watching television, endless rounds of video games, or the endless scr

Finding the balance that fosters growth alongside enjoyment can be difficult, but there are many ways to create fun and meaningful moments with your kids this summer. Not only does it keep their minds in a state of development, but it eases that inevitable transition back into the school year. See more FYI news in this month's newsletter!

Summer break has already begun, and the routine of school days and activities seem to have faded away into a light bit of chaos at home. But just because the kids are wild and free for the next few months, doesn’t mean that the break doesn’t hold its own opportunities for growth. Here are a few ideas to keep the next few months constructive and engaging, all while maintaining a gently structured routine to avoid the abrupt transition that accompanies the return to school late

Did you know May was Mental Health Awareness Month? May serves as an important reminder to check in on our mental wellness and support the people we care about. Our emotional and cognitive health need attention year-round and not just during the month of May. By supporting one another and encouraging open conversations, we can build stronger and healthier communities together.

Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that caring for our mental well-being is just as important as caring for our physical health. Life can feel overwhelming at times, and there are days when stress, anxiety, or uncertainty make us feel like things are beyond our control. While we can’t always change our circumstances, we can take small, intentional steps that help ground us, lift our mood, and restore a sense of balance. Often, it’s the little daily choices that make

This newsletter takes a look at the benefits of volunteering and how it not only strengthens our communities, but it affords the volunteer a better quality of life, both mentally and physically. Why not help yourself while you help others?

The month of April has been designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month. It’s a time for communities across the nation to come together and take action in supporting stronger families and healthier children. This year holds the theme of “Powered By Hope, Strengthened By Prevention”, recognizing that a family’s right to support builds a brighter future for their children. All of this in an effort to proactively prevent child abuse through advocacy, education, and community eng

March's newsletter focuses on the power of healthy relationships and how it effects the ways in which we thrive. Our community is what keeps us going and without those strong relationships, we wouldn't be where we are today. Take some time to consider your own relationships and the people who matter most in your own lives, and see if you can't spread that connection to others.

March is Women’s History Month, and it is so much more than just another calendar observance. The story of how March came to represent the rights, freedoms, and courage of women is a personal and powerful one. With humble beginnings in Santa Rosa, the state of California decided that women’s contributions to history deserved to be recognized, and in 1978 they started what would soon inspire a movement. What began as a single week of local celebration evolved into something gr

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.