Our family programs are offered to families with teens, middle years, and younger children, and support connection and understanding in family relationships. We also deliver literacy programs for families with young children, post-partum support groups for mothers, and school integration support for families with children who are going to school in Canada for the first time from kindergarten to grade 2.
As newcomer families are managing the challenges of settlement, recovering from the long-term effects of a global pandemic, and dealing with the pressures of economic stress, our parenting programs served 1300+ im/migrant over the last year. We strengthen family relationships through education, support, and community engagement, and provide safe spaces for families to share their experiences with others who are going through similar challenges. Facilitated by trained professionals, our groups offer both emotional support and practical advice. Topics include as the power of positive parenting, effective communication, conflict resolution, managing financial stress, and balancing family life. All of our programs are tailored to the unique cultural backgrounds and experiences of im/migrant families.
Parents report that our parenting programs have increased their capacity to:
- Build strong family bonds and feelings of success
- Develop strategies to preserve their cultural heritage and adopt new cultural practices which helps them to feel more confident in their families well-being in Canada
- Form lasting connections with other families and create support networks that extend beyond the parenting group
We were worried because our teenager was quickly learning new values that are different from the beliefs of our culture. In the parenting program we learned how to have more open communication with our daughter and how to develop understanding. We feel more confident in our parenting and can talk about how to solve problems together. Our daughter says she feel more understood and respected, and so do we.
Family health plays a central and stabilizing role for im/migrants as they navigate the challenges of settling into a new country. For many, the family unit provides a critical source of emotional support, cultural continuity, and identity, acting as a buffer against the stress and uncertainty that often accompany migration.