Arizona Parenting Alliance

The Arizona Parenting Alliance (APA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan education and advocacy organization dedicated to reducing social ills, strengthening families and improving the lives of Arizona's children by promoting involved and responsible parenting, positive youth development and responsible images in media. APA is an alliance of community, business, media, faith and government leaders and parents, who believe the single most determinant of Arizona's future is the strength of Arizona's families. Across the political and cultural landscape, people have come to the same conclusion about the current epidemic of problems that face our communities; that America is in trouble because America's families are in crisis. The weekly headlines about youth violence, child abuse, drug abuse and teen pregnancies have forced individuals across the political spectrum to recognize that there is something fundamentally wrong that cannot be solved by the most well-intentioned government programs alone. It is a national concern that must be addressed by all. Action must be taken by leaders in the federal and state level of government, as well as in communities, churches, businesses, families and in our individual lives. PARENTING CLASSES Parenting of Teens. A six week class for parents of teenagers ages 12-18 years old. Advanced registration is required. Tuesday's 6:00 - 7:30PM, 1/11/05 - 2/22/05. East Valley Family Resource Center, 170 W. University, Mesa - (480) 834-9424 Free Parenting Classes every Thursday, 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Key's Community Center, 2454 E. Broadway, South Phoenix; (602) 243-0174. Child care not available. Cooperative Parenting. An eight week parenting skills training class for divorced parents who have the desire to share the responsibility in raising their children. $20 workbook. Thurs. 6:00 - 8:00 PM, 1/20/05 - 3/10/05 and 3/31/05 - 5/19/05. Advanced registration is required. Registration and child care are limited. East Valley Family Resource Center, 170 W. University, Mesa - (480) 834-9424 Strengthening the Families Series for Women & Children. A six week program. $5 for each class. Women and children (ages 6-12) will meet in separate groups at the beginning of each two hour session, then convene together for the last 45 minutes. Project FREE provides structured curriculums for all aspects of these workshops. The workshops cover a wide range of topics important to helping women and children become aware of their choices within the family unit. The series is both educational and empowering to women and children struggling to maintain and improve the family spirit. For more information, contact Fresh Start Women's Resource Center, 1130 E. McDowell Rd. (602) 252-8494. I Unwed Parents Anonymous for Single Moms. Weekly support group. This 12-step program brings together a fellowship of single mothers who share their experiences, strength and hope. Participants reflect on the link between sexual activity and the resulting change in their lives, they will look for a more serene lifestyle which leads them toward abstinence. Women can share the difference for themselves and their children that results from setting sexual boundaries. No charge. Mondays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fresh Start Women's Resource Center. 1130 E. McDowell Rd. (602) 252-8494 The Working Wonders Program. The goal of this program is to increase the number of African American children in Phoenix being born and raised in healthy environments by enhancing the parenting skills and among pregnant and parenting teens and adults. Classes are offered at school settings and community sites. For more information, please contact the Phoenix Birthing Project at (602) 258-6990. Creciendo Unidos (Growing Together). This dynamic program works with the entire family in assisting family members to create healthy family dynamics, while at the same time working with individual members to reach their full potential. C.U.'s vision is to build community by enabling people to take care of each other, mobilizing neighborhoods, developing leaders and taking responsibility for creating a healthy community that is worthy of their children. Spanish speaking. Six month program.(two hour weekly meetings over a 26 week period). For more information, contact (602) 926-1869. "Parenting with a Plan" Workshops. Educational, supportive and interactive atmosphere to help you "design a plan" that will allow you to create close, loving and empowering family relationships. Certified instructor and parenting coach, Teresa Pierson. Currently held at Anthem Community Center (5 miles north of Carefree Hwy/I-17). Workshop titles: Beginning Years (1-4 years old), Middle Years (5 - 12 years old) and Pre-teen & Teens. Cost: $40 individual/$50 couples, four sessions (1.5 hours a week) For more information, contact Teresa at (623) 533-2226. Strengthening Families Program can bring families closer together and help create stronger family bonds. Families are taught how to understand each other better, resolve problems, and give parenting tips that work. Classes are available for parents, caregivers, women, men and children. Open enrollment, graduation upon completion of classes. English and Spanish classes offered in South Phoenix. For more information, contact (602) 796-5801. Parenting Arizona Free Parenting Workshops. At various locations throughout the valley. Two hour sessions, for 12 weeks in an open, friendly environment. Parents, guardians, and caretakers of children ages 2-12. Spanish speaking groups also available. For more information, contact (602) 248-0428. Parents Encouraging Parents Weekly Meeting. A Parents Anonymous® Group where parents can freely share their questions, concerns, problems and solutions about parenting in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Wednesday's 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (ongoing, start anytime) at the Deer Valley Community Center, Room #2, 2001 W. Wahalla in North Phoenix. (Just west of 19th Avenue, south of Beardsley/101 Loop) For more information, contact Jessie Sturner at (623) 581-0066 or (623)330-7920. City of Phoenix-Young Families CAN (Comprehensive Assistance Network). The goal of this program is to identify and remove barriers to self-sufficiency for single teen mothers enrolled, or at risk of being enrolled, in Arizona's welfare system. The program assists mothers with employment, case management, educational resources, counseling, establishing paternity and coordination of resources to meet basic needs. Must be 22 years or younger and reside in the City of Phoenix. For more information, contact Kay Daukei at (602) 495-7514. BLENDING STEPFAMILIES Blending Family Success. Three week course. Monday's, 4/4; 4/11 & 4/18, 7 to 9 p.m. Would you get on a plane that had a 66% chance of crashing? Of course not. But did you know that your re-marriage has a 66% chance of ending in divorce within 4 years if you don't do something different this time? Your re-marriage doesn't have to crash and burn. Come gain help and hope for re-marriage and blending stepfamilies and especially those contemplating re-marriage. To register, contact Peggy Senn, Director, Parenting Academy, Mesa Public Schools at (480) 472-0373. Sponsored by Two Again Ministries for Remarried and Blended Families. For more information, contact Dave Olson at dolson126@cox.net or (480) 832-9594 or www.twoagain.org ADOPTIVE PARENTS Tax Planning and Preparation for Foster and Adoptive Parents. Thursday, January 27 at 7 p.m. Held at Lodestar Family Connections Center, 2320 N. 20th St.,Phoenix. Please RSVP to Kris Jacober at kris.jacober@cox.net or at (602) 488-2374. * If you are interested in becoming an adoptive or foster parent, please contact 1-877-KIDS NEEDU (1-877-543-7633) or visit www.azkidsneedu.gov FATHERHOOD February 16 - 18, 2005, 6th Annual Southwestern Fatherhood & Families Conference hosted by the Arizona Fathers & Families Coalition, Inc. and held at the Phoenix Airport Marriott. For registration information, visit www.azffc.org or contact (602) 495-8845. Boot Camp for New Dads. Veteran dads and their newborns orient rookie dads who are expecting their first baby. Saturday, 9:00 AM - 12 PM; 2/19/05 and 4/16/05. Advanced registration is required. Registration and child care are limited. East Valley Family Resource Center, 170 W. University, Mesa- (480) 834-9424. City of Phoenix STEP-UP Program (Skills, Training, Education, Employment Program for Unemployed Male Parents). This program addresses the needs of teenage fathers by addressing the young fathers' responsibility to become self-sufficient and share the burden of support and parenting of their children. Must be 22 years or younger living in the city of Phoenix; having difficulty handling parenting responsibilities; and having problems finding employment or continuing their education. For more information, contact Tony Valenzuela at tony.valenzuela@phoenix.gov or at (602) 495-7522. A.R.M Teen Fathers. For teen fathers ages 12 - 19. Community and school-based program serving the Southwest Valley. First goal is to keep teen fathers in school. Individual and group counseling available. Life skill and job training. Information on preventing a second unintended pregnancy. For more information Contact Warren Brown, Southwest Community Network, at (623) 850-1106 or at scn@att.net. HEALTHY MARRIAGE Couples Workshop for Pregnant or Parenting couples in Flagstaff. FREE 4-hour class on Saturday's 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. This class is for any couple who is pregnant or is parenting one or more pre-teens. (Infants 3 months or younger are welcome during the class). Learn good communication skills for a strong and lasting Couple Relationship. Learn also how to build a "Parenting Team" the most important thing for good parenting. Learn how to become a Parenting Team, while staying happy as a couple. Held at Flagstaff Medical Center on 2/5;4/2 and 6/4. Held at Coconino County Dept. of Health on 3/12 and 5/14. To register for FMC classes, contact Becky Marchbanks at (928) 773-7924. To register for County classes, contact Cathy Garcia at (928) 522-7924. For more information, contact Marie Schimmelpenninck at (928) 380-6460. Couple Communication I teaches you and your partner the Awareness Wheel and Listening Cycle as practical tools to spot and change breakdowns in communication. It also teaches you how to speak constructively using six different talking skills, to listen accurately and to resolve conflicts by building mutual agreements. Taught by licensed marriage & family therapists, Geraldine & Ken Blakeman. $100 per couple. Saturday classes, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Patricks Church, 10815 N. 84th St., Scottsdale; Jan 22; April 2;June 4; August 20 & November 5. For more information, contact (480) 367-1660 ext. 3 or gerryb@gdc.phxcoxmail.com Communication Skills & Couple Differences. Couples learn how to get the best results from communication differences. Counseling sessions, including a communication profile for intimate partners workbook with step by step instructions and techniques to improve collaboration, respect and problem solving. For more information contact Dorothy Wellington at the Wellington Institute at (602) 593-5903 or at dorothy789@earthlink.net Couple Enrichment Series. Improve intimacy, bonding and conflict resolution. Couples gain knowledge and master techniques for their relationships that will foster tenderness, trust and forgiveness, intimacy, respect and happiness. Six private lessons. For more information, contact Dorothy Wellington at the Wellington Institute at (602) 593-5903 or at dorothy789@earthlink.net FOR SINGLES The Profile of a Healthy Relationship Workshop. $5. It's difficult to develop or find a healthy relationship, if you never have really seen many of them. There are people who have peaceful, respectful, loving relationships; find out how, what they really look like and how you might be able to achieve one for yourself. Monday, 2/14/05, 12:30 - 2:30 PM; Tuesday, 2/15/05, 6 to 8 PM; Monday, 3/28/05, 12:30 - 2:30 PM; Tuesday, 3/29/05, 6 to 8PM;Monday, 5/9/05, 12:30 - 2:30 PM, Tuesday, 5/10/05, 6 to 8 PM. Classes held at Fresh Start Women's Center, 1130 E. McDowell Rd, Phoenix, (602) 252-8494. Heads Up for Single Parents! - Workshop. Monday, 3/28/05, 7 to 9 p.m. at O'conner Elementary School, Mesa. Divorce is devastating and difficult for single parents and their children, but another divorce can do a real number on your self-esteem and cause you to fall into a pattern of divorce or failed relationships. As difficult as it is being a single parent right now, you can go from the frying pan to the fire if you hook up with the wrong person in the next relationship. But, it is also possible to climb up the pan handle and avoid the fire altogether. This class will help you learn how to make wise choices and good decisions in relationships by asking the difficult, hard questions. To register, contact Peggy Senn, Director, Parent University, Mesa Public Schools at (480) 472-0373. Sponsored by Two Again Ministries for Blended and Stepfamilies. For more information, contact Dave Olson at dolson126@cox.net or (480) 832-9594 or visit www.twoagain.org Become Your Ideal Partner - Workshop for women only. $5. Monday, 3/28/05, 6 to 8 p.m. at Fresh Start Women's Center, 1130 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix. Many women cling to an existing relationship or search for a new one to feel fulfilled. This unique workshop helps women who feel unfulfilled or disappointed in their current relationship find what they are looking for within themselves. You will learn how to become your own ideal partner and treat yourself the way you have always dreamed of being treated. Enjoy forming a self-loving relationship with yourself which is the true foundation to healthy and lasting relationships with others.To register, call (602) 252-8494. Marriage Preparation Course. Engaged couples at every age and background will need a good foundation for a healthy marriage. Prepare the relationship as well as the wedding day. Discuss love, children, relatives, values, roles, culture, finances, religion, home, environment, careers, budget, education. Six sessions. For more information, contact Dorothy Wellington at the Wellington Institute at (602) 593-5903 or at dorothy789@earthlink.net HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP SKILLS FOR TEENS Building Strong Families Flagstaff holds classes every Wednesday, 9:00am- 10:00am at Flagstaff Prepatory High School. The Love U2 is a comprehensive relationship education for teens. Love U2 is a series of units that helps young people acquire practical skills for emotionally healthy and ethically sound relationships. It focuses on helping teens craft a roadmap toward what they hope to achieve, not just what they must avoid. For more information, and to learn how you can support a proposal to expand the program to the District, contact Bob Turres at bob@dibblefund.org or at (928) 773-7833. Daughters of Destiny. D.O.D. is a Christian mentor program for girls ages 9 -12. This program provides life lessons in developing healthy relationships, setting & accomplishing goals, giving & receiving respect, honesty, responsibility, health, teamwork and developing good character. A total of 10 girls are hosted each year. Open enrollment begins in February. For more information, contact sistersgroup@hotmail.com The Academy of Dreams Program. This is a wellness program for teen girls, age 12 - 18, that encourages girls to create, visualize, and articulate their dreams for the future, and to develop a plan to make their dreams come true. This innovative program is designed for African American girls living in the Phoenix metro area, and approaches the issues of teenage pregnancy and prevention from culturally rooted standpoints with a focus on how unintended pregnancies could impact their future dreams and aspirations. For more information, contact Robin Bradley, Phoenix Birthing Project, at (602)258-6990 or at robinb@phoenixbirthingproject.org K.EY.S - Keeping Excellence in Youth Support. (ages 13 - 18) Community and school-based program serving the Southwest Valley. Designed to help reduce the drop out rate through crisis intervention. Helps students make healthier lifestyle choices by building the 4 cornerstones of a successful future, which include self-esteem, self-respect, self-restraint and self-responsibility. For more information, contact Warren Brown, Southwest Community Network, at (623) 850-1106 or at scn@att.net Best Regards, Paula T. Wright President & CEO Arizona Parenting Alliance P.O. Box 25588 Tempe, AZ 85258 Phone: (602) 470-1587 Fax: (602) 426-9438 www.azparenting.org Vending Machines The Complete Guide to Better Health Beef Recipes Beef Recipes