The time between 6^th and 7th grades can be one of the hardest times in the life of a young person as well as their families. To help with the transition, Cortland Area Communities That Care Coalition, in partnership with 7VCASA is pleased to offer the “Strengthening Families Program”.This program is designed to help both parents and pre-teen as they go into uncharted waters.  The goal is to help navigate through these waters by improving skills in the area of communication and exploring strategies needed to avoid some of the problems that you and your child may encounter.

This six week program, which will be offered twice in October and November, is free and open to families of 10-14 year olds. It will give families and their pre-teen the opportunity to practice and reinforce skills needed to help chart the course through this exciting but challenging time.  In preparation for the classes, 7VCASA is recruiting facilitators. Facilitator training will be offered on August 12^th & 13^th.

This free, two-day training will provide trainers the opportunity to be educated in the following areas:

·     Supporting youth by understanding potential problems 

·     Balancing love and limits

·      Making Group Ground Rules 

·      Parent/youth discussion on goals for the future

·      Understanding What Youth This Age Are Like

·      Making specific house rules

·      Understanding parental stress

·      Identifying strengths of family members

·      Building A Positive Relationship

Following the training, facilitators will sign-up to provide trainings with a lead facilitator during the October or November programs. Once they have completed the program they will receive an honorarium for their service. If you are over the age of 18 years old, have a desire to volunteer, enjoy working with families and want to empower parents and youth to have better relationships then please call 607-756-8970 ext. 1 for an application. Or friend us on Facebook by searching 7VCASA and download an application.

Kimberly McRae Friedman is Associate Director of 7V CASA and an Advisory Member of CACTC.