The YMCA of Columbia celebrated 21 families for their successful completion of the Y’s Strengthening Families Program with a graduation ceremony followed by a pizza party and swimming in the lake at the Lexington Family YMCA. During the graduation ceremony, a participant summed up her experience in the program with a poem.
Parenting can be pretty ruff,
Just like puberty, hits like a bus!
Am I right, or am I wrong?
‘Cause my child is taking too long….
This program has really opened my eyes.
When to actually reward with a prize.
Don’t scream! Don’t yell! And definitely don’t hit!
Just ignore the hissy fit!
I’ve learned all these things and a whole lot more.
Learning from other parents was a total score!
What is this program? People ask me.
A huge group of new friends…It’s called SFP!
– Lillie, Mom and SFP Graduate
The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is funded by Children’s Trust of South Carolina. SFP is a nationally and internationally recognized parenting and family strengthening program for high-risk and general population families. SFP is an evidence-based family skills training program found to significantly improve parenting skills and family relationships, reduce problem behaviors, delinquency and alcohol and drug abuse in children and to improve social competencies and school performance. Child maltreatment also decreases as parents strengthen bonds with their children and learn more effective parenting skills.
For more information on the Y’s Strengthening Families Program please contact Wendy Broderick.
