LAWRENCE — Elevating a baby will be powerful at any age, however when mother or dad is a younger grownup, parenting can have added stress. Lawrence-based Household Companies of the Merrimack Valley hopes to assist younger mother and father by new grants that may fund parenting and relationship packages.
The nonprofit lately obtained $3.6 million from the federal authorities as a part of a five-year program from the Division of Well being and Human Companies.
Lori Howe, chief working officer of Household Companies, mentioned the company plans to make use of the cash to increase its current “strengthening {couples}” program that provides a 14-hour relationship training curriculum to primarily younger, low-income Latino {couples} with kids.
With a purpose of serving 400 {couples} over 5 years, this system’s purpose is to assist kids in addition to their mother and father, Howe mentioned. The group serves the complete Essex County, however primarily helps households in Lawrence and Haverhill.
“The purpose of that program is to assist {couples} be taught expertise to have a powerful, wholesome supportive relationship so that they’re capable of increase their kids in a house that does not have a variety of battle and has financial stability,” Howe mentioned. “The goal inhabitants is the youngsters. We hope the outcomes are constructive for youngsters, and we do it by working with {couples} to get a stronger relationship collectively.”
Along with suggesting family administration suggestions and battle decision methods, Household Companies workers members companion with Lawrence CommunityWorks to supply monetary teaching.
One other Household Companies program receiving a monetary enhance is its younger parenting program, which helps folks 12 to 24 years outdated. Howe mentioned the state Division of Public Well being supplied $275,000 to complement ongoing programming. All programs are voluntary and most contributors are referred from a faculty or different company, she mentioned.
“We assist younger mother and father navigate adolescence for themselves whereas adjusting to their new lives as mother and father,” Howe mentioned. “Workers will meet with the father or mother, determine some objectives and work with them on pursuing them. Getting a driver’s license is an instance, as a result of that is one thing a variety of teenagers wish to pursue. We’ll assist them determine a driving faculty, the best way to organize for youngster care to go to driver’s ed when they should. A lot of issues that a variety of younger folks take as a right turn into much more advanced when you may have a baby.”
Co-parenting strategies and the position of the dad in a baby’s life are additionally taught in all Household Companies packages, Howe mentioned.
“What our workers do that’s most likely most impactful is function mentors to navigate an entire host of difficult circumstances,” she mentioned.
Spots stay out there for the “strengthening {couples}” program, Howe mentioned, with the course anticipated to start within the spring. For extra data, name 978-327-6600 or go to www.FSMV.org.
